Just off the top of your head what grade would you give this one based on what you can make out? This is the best I can do with my Canon Powershot and remain under the file-size limitations. Thanks.
Thanks guys. Just a few more to get a broader consensus and then I have a surprise for you. This isn't a trick question. I'm just trying to learn something, here. I'm asking because I have confidence in your experience and grading skills.
OK, with that reply, I have to stop this. PCGS not only graded this coin 65, the coin sold on Heritage in November 2003 for $1,092.50, 6 bidders. Now, what I'm trying to learn is, these contact marks (especially on the face) should have kept this coin out of "gem," no? Or, as you guys seem to be suggesting, do CC-Morgans typically get this "courtesy bump" in the grade (i.e., I think on this coin's absolute best day, it goes 64; bump that up a notch and now it rates in the next tier). In other words, do I overlook these bag marks some when I'm figuring these CC-Morgans? Here's the reason I ask, this one below is my coin...
Without reading any other posts to bias my opinion, I would call it a low MS64. You have a fairly good pic that highlights the scuffs,nicks, etc. Scuffs in the field and cheek nicks on the obverse look consistant with MS64. Of course I am sure many will say MS62 or so. The reverse looks MS65. The reverse on morgans is often higher in grade than the obverse. This seems to never count in a coins favor. The reverse only seems to count if it adversely affects a morgans grade. My opinion............... (I will now read what others have said!)
Yes, I beleive the coin got a courtesy pass, strictly speaking it is a 62 borderline 63. This bump only works when pcgs grades it. Buy the coin, not the slab.
CC coins should be graded EXACTLY the same as any other. I can see where PCGS graded this coin as MS65. Your pics did highlight the defects (scuffs and nicks). Maybe this coin has better eye appeal than your pics showed. PCGS is not the be-all of grading. I have a PCGS 1878 7/8TF MS63, that in all honesty looks a ****-poor MS61 at best...... ONLY YOU can be the judge of any coin in a TPG holder. If you buy better Morgans, it behooves you to know how to grade...... NO MATTER WHAT THE HOLDER MAY SAY!!!..... YOUR OPINION is the one that counts.....
My initial grade was an MS-62, perhaps a shot at MS-63. However, it can be hard to grade with only a picture.
I would have said borderline 63/64 for the CC. But, if it is exceptionally well-struck or has great luster and eye appeal, that may explain the bump. I'm not judging whether or not that should happen, but just stating why it may have.
i was going to say 63 at top end but the photo may not do it justice i personally felt that the location and severity of the bagmarks (evident in first photo) would certainly kept it out of 65 grade regardless of it being a cc mint...that is only my opinion, however...thanks for sharing...it is a nice coin!
It's hard enough trying to figure out the MS60-69 system that the world has created , now you throw on top of that individual grading standards for certain mint marked coins ( CC etc. ) , certain dates with so-called poor strikes and certain other exceptions etc. and obviously it's next to impossible for anyone , including the all the TPG'S to figure out was has become more and more a crap-shoot at grading.
That's my thought. I know the TPGs give CC coins a boost sometimes, but to me that is overgraded. I still would only go 62/63. It is a very nice coin though. Phoenix
I think what happened with this PCGS 65, very simply-stated, is that they rounded the grade up. They saw this coin as a strong 64 (...a 64.75, if you will). But in the absence of a fractional ("sliding") grading scale, how does a grading company communicate that? And the marketplace, they got the message. Six bidders on this one, and they bid it in half of its "book" at that time (2003). Now, hold your horses...I learned the same way you did! If a coin doesn't break the ice, it doesn't break the ice. It stays in the lower grade. But, think of it. What do you do with a 64.95? Bottom line (and, I've seen other examples of this with PCGS), they tend to round up. That isn't traditional. But, its the way they do it (again, that is, from what I've seen).
