What would it grade? I think I might've paid too much, opinions welcome. Also, it's probably a VAM 3A
Wow, too bad. All in all, I would say its an above average GSA except for the tire tracks across her cheek. At what point does it stop being bag marks and become scratches? I am not trying to insult you OP, I simply find the heavy cheek marks a major distraction, more so than normal bag marks. Like I said, the rest of the coin is actually above average.
I've seen those roller marks on many Morgan dollars. I've seen them on Morgans graded as high as MS66. I'd say the OP's coin has a chance at a 64. I try to avoid Morgan's with roller marks, but I must admit, I have a couple with small roller marks.
Yeah, those striations are as-struck (or not struck, in this case) and the coin might have an argument for 64 in hand.
While I agree with everyone's assessments, sometimes you guys are even tougher than PCGS. For me it is the hit on the nose and lip (which didn't show up that well). It was sold as "MS66 quality", I'm sending it back. I was wondering about the striations, are they considered part of the strike? I've seen lots of Gem Morgans with those marks.
While not 100% certain, I believe those marks were on the planchet, pre-strike. BTW, IMO, that is in no way MS66 quality. Not even for a GSA!
A legitimate 66 residing raw in a GSA holder would be pretty damn solid submission material that will almost certainly pay for itself. There are many coins that are perfectly acceptable offered raw and shouldn't be questioned for it, then there are others where it's only reasonably to do so, particularly when the upside for a seller far outweighs any down. Just food for thought..
IF that was sold as a 66, the seller misrepresented it. The roller marks on the cheek would preclude a gem grade for sure. This shows that the seller either doesn't know how to grade, or lied regarding condition. It is a nice GSA Morgan cc dollar.
I'd guess sometime after the blank was cut before it was fed into the chamber or whatever they call that. I've seen those, too. It's certainly not coin contact.
The silver strips that the planchets were punched from were first drawn through a machine with rollers a fixed distance apart to make them an even thickness. That's what caused the striations. While not technically "damage" it definitely knocks the eye appeal way down (for most people).
The lines on the cheek and the softness of the ear/hair above the ear. Edit: To clarify the lines on the cheek are planchet lines that did not get stamped out upon striking.