I'm still learning about grading coins so please bear with me. I decided to use this 1884-O Morgan as an example. It's the infamous Morgan that I got at face value a couple of weeks ago that somebody spent at a convenience store Is it problem free? It doesn't look at all like it has been cleaned or dipped. What other criteria make a coin "problem-free"? How can you tell if a coin has been cleaned other than obvious scratches? Thanks in advance for the educational information. I may be asking annoying questions but I've learned a lot from this forum. Thanks!
Hard to say how a TPG would see it, but the facial scar does it in for me. A TPG may call it AU-55 though which I would consider the technical grade minus the scar.
I'd have no problem with it, coins with minor blemishes are as natural as sunshine and freckles, but your compatriots tend to be what I'd call insanely picky. I'd value it slightly less than a coin lucky enough to escape such minor signs of use, but I'd certainly not reject it or call it a 'problem'.
I agree though, I see it as problem free, but would hesitate to go after it because of the mark. You have to admit that it's the first thing you see.
That gouge on her face would do it in at any of the major grading services. Expect it to get an "AU Details - Damaged" which would make it worth EF money. Chris
On one photo the cheek scratch looks like the Great Rift Valley, on the next it is barely visible. Who knows? The coin looks lightly circulated. I don't think it is worth sending it in to be graded. Is that doubling on the tip of Liberty's nose, or just a small hit? (I know nothing about those Vammy things so just thought I would ask)
The reason the gouge appears less visible in the second photo is due to the lighting. Note the difference in position and size of the shadows in each photo. The second photo hides most of the gouge because the light is shining along the gouge rather than across it. The mark on the nose is not doubling. It is a small ding. Chris
I gave $1 for it so even if it were to be a F or an AG coin I still got a good deal on it. You can't beat silver for face value. I don't want to sell it because it was briefly in circulation in 2014 and how many Morgans can you say that about? That makes it more special to me than an MS 66 that has never been in circulation. As for the scratch on the nose: I got it for a dollar. 'Nuff said.
I agree with everybody else. I see natural looking surfaces and no real problems, but I probably wouldn't pay much for it due to the gouge.
The only problem I see is the scratch thingy on the face. The rest is good. I particularly like the toning it has.
It is a very common date NO issue, and the strike is average for that issue. That large scar is distracting, but the balance of the coin is not bad. The toning is nice and even and is typically what is seen on many lightly circulated pieces that have been stored in someone's drawer for some time; it does not appear to me as having been cleaned (abrasively) nor dipped. When toning appears in the recesses of indentations (due to contact with other coins or objects) and is the same color and intensity as the surrounding area, it generally is an indication that the "hit" occurred some time ago.
