1889 CC Morgan/ To Buy or Not to Buy????

Hello All,
I've recently been given the opportunity to purchase this Raw 1889 CC. I've held back on this particular coin because I consider it to be a "Risky Buy". My passion is Morgans and although this would definitely have a home in my collection, I'd want it to grade without being slabbed DETAILS or GENUINE. The seller and I have come to an agreed price. But if it does not grade, I will have overpaid by far. As for now I'm in a Don't buy kind of mind frame, but figured it couldn't hurt to see what other opinions there are? In the pictures, I've boxed in an area on the reverse showing my biggest concern. Thank You for any and all suggestions.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I'm no expert, but that reverse looks scrubbed to me, especially near "ICA". Maybe I'm wrong, but my first reaction to those pictures would be "no way could this grade cleanly".

I'll be very interested to hear what the Morgan specialists around here say.

 

It appears to be VAM2a, and while I would never give an absolute on such a coin based only on photos, it does look to be genuine. As for grading cleanly, it is my opinion that this is a problem specimen.

 

In my opinion, it looks horrible.

 

I'm leaning toward improper cleaning for what appears to be hairlines on the obverse, but I don't really like to pass judgment on such a valuable coin without seeing it in hand.

Why not try this.......

Ask the seller if he would be willing to submit the coin for grading (NGC or PCGS) and if it grades, you will reimburse him for the cost. If it doesn't grade, he would have to bear the expense, but it would be in his best interest to have it authenticated, anyway. It would be much, much easier for him to sell it to someone else, even in a Details Grade, if a prospective buyer knew it was genuine.

Chris

 

I'm no expert either, but the word "States" looks all distorted, and pulled to the right, especially the two T's. Similar images on eBay show the T's absolutely upright. Or is this a distortion of the camera lens?

 

It's great to have already had so many responses. I've thought of asking the seller to let me send it for grading but I also have the feeling that there'd be an issue of value increase if it graded. This coin has come from a collection in which I've slowly been buying. I've done very well on price negotiating thus far and wouldn't want the coin to change that. I don't mind a gamble, but at the same time the seller is kind of a "Buy as is" with a no return policy. I do not doubt the authenticity of this Morgan as it's one of 5 key dates I've purchased from the collection. But with a no return policy, I doubt I'd be to thrilled loosing a chunk of money. It's probably best I go with my initial thought on this coin and wait for another chance down the road.

 

Here are the diagnostics for the 1889-CC......

http://www.anacs.com/(X(1)A(bBoYWVO...icle.aspx?ID=18&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Chris

 

Maybe a good idea!

Chris

 

The coin isn't rare, simply expensive. This makes me wonder why you would potentially walk through a minefield to purchase one.

 

The reason I considered the risk, was the agreed price between the seller and I. Maybe I should have came right out with that price to start. I remained firm with paying for the coin in a VF-20 Red Book listing. With that said, I would imagine others can agree that this particular coin may introduce a many of positive and negative thoughts for the price.

 

Why do you think the seller offers it for a VF20 book price?

 

Bear with my obsession; does anyone think the second T in States looks normal?

 

Methinks you obsess too much.

Chris

 

I see nothing wrong with the T's in states, but would like to see it in person.

 

Well Doug, I certainly will not fault your obsession. I'd like to think that the obsession is kind of what makes this hobby fun. Obviously I'm limited on pictures of the coin, but I did crop one of the pictures to hopefully enlarge that area for viewing.

 

BTW......Anyone want me to post my "favorite" coin from this collection? Well, there are actually 3 of them. But it also pertains to why I questioned purchasing the 1889 CC.

 

Sure, go for it!

 

I don't see anything that jumps out at me that makes me think it's not authentic. However, it does appear to have been cleaned and it does not have natural surfaces. I believe this coin will return in a "details" slab if submitted for grading. If that is not what you want, then I would avoid this coin.

Like Tom said above, this coin is not rare...it's just expensive. I'd save your money and find a better example.

 

Hey, I'm siding with you all. I definitely didn't think the coin was all that I had hoped it would be. But as I said earlier, I have a few to share with everyone that pushed me to question the 1889 CC as much as I did. As I mentioned previously, every one of these Morgans are from the same collection. I'm also including the price I picked them up for because I feel it's relevant as to why I thought buying the 89 CC would have been a WIN...WIN...situation.
1886 S ....$100
1885 CC ....$450
1889 O ....$37