Grading perplexed

New here today.. Howdy folks! My Name is Brien

I not new new to collecting but I am new to thinking about the value of some of my coins. I have over 10 years of collecting and I am just beginning to think about the value. Much of what I have is Graded and Slabbed so I have no problem looking values up in books and then notching that back by about 20%

I have a simple question; Why does the 69th Edition of the US Coins, 2016 by Bressett, show values of Morgan Silver Dollars in the MS 60, MS 63 MS 64, MS 65 and then jump to PF 63? Why don't hey list MS 62 or the MS 66 ?

I have a 1891 Morgan slabbed and marked NCG MS 66. Now the MS 64 is listed @ $900, the MS 65 @ $8000, and then they only list the PF 63 @ $3000? What happened to the MS 66? Does MS 66 mean it is one Mint State above 65 making it more valuable than the $8000 ? Or is this MS 66 a bogus rating by this NCG. Or is worth less than the MS 65 going down in value as it shows in the PF rating?

Furthermore, on the reverse of the slab it states:

"Guaranteed Authentic" "Graded to the Numismatic Coin Guarantee Standards"

But it doesn't say who graded this coin.

My question here is Who guarantees this? Slab doesn't say at all. This whole grade value here seems to me to be somewhat suspect. Who is to say it isn't MS 65? Should I have it graded by a more reputable/reliable group such as Numismatic Guarantee Corporation, as many of my other coins read on their slabs?

Just what does MS 66 mean anyway?

Thank you for any thoughts you may provide here.

 

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Welcome, You are going to love the ride...

Save paper, and money: Printing costs. Anyway, the values listed in the Red Books are GUIDES...They actually have little relation to the actual "value" of the coins listed. Members here can tell you better places to look>

Unfortunately, in my experience, the company your coin is slabbed by is not very reliable. From what I have seen, that company's MS-66 is probably an AU.

Post a photo if you can.

 

That should tell you something. Lots of unreliable, grading co. use names that are close to the "good" services.

How about: PGS, ANAC, etc

 

Get you butt over to a coin dealer and have him look at your stuff. Good Luck.

 

It can be pretty much promised that your "NCG" (not to be confused with NGC) 66 isn't a 66 by accepted standards. This isn't to say its automatically not a nice coin, but just that the chances are exceedingly slim the claimed "grade" and reality will meet.

 

First, welcome to the neighborhood, Brien!

Unfortunately, there are dozens of "basement slabbers" for every one of the reputable firms. Their names and mission statements are designed to deceive and mislead. Note that they ONLY guarantee that the coin is authentic, and their "grading standards" are so far off the charts that it is ridiculous.

Chris

 

Let's try these photos..

 

The coins look over-graded. Do you own a florescent light? Too much glare in the photos.

For example: 1891-S too many marks on the cheek.

 

Yes I have a florescent lighting area. The picture is of the same coin a 1891 Morgan Dollar. I will take a few shots in the proper lighting Thanks for the tip! Brien

 

I cannot see it well enough to attach an exact opinion regarding grade, but can say, unfortunately, it's nowhere near the claimed 66. This sort of thing happens regretably often in this hobby, so don't feel bad. As long as a sizable premium wasn't paid for the coin, consider it all part of the learning experience.

And my apologies for not saying so sooner, but welcome to the forum, sir.

 

Let's see if these come out any better Thanks for everyone's input here Brien

 

Thanks

I didn't pay anywhere near for a MS 66 knowing it was a fraud. I want it to be a MS 64 or MS 65 because it would then be worth soooo much more than I paid for it. I will likely submit it to one of the better grading services like NGC to be re graded.

 

I'm making a clarification of my post for you. "Proper lighting" is a relative term. Most instructors recommend that collectors use the same wattage of light at all times. Then, you'll get use to the "look" of coins.

Florescent light is the ONLY light to use for authentication. Incandescent light is used by all the TPGS and 99.99% of professionals for grading and authentication.

I'm one of the .01%. I use florescent light (also incandescent) to grade coins. The florescent light eliminates all the bright reflection on a coin's high points (the first place I look for wear). I learned this in a class decades ago. It makes it easy to judge a coin's originality (it gives results similar to the "bounce light on to a coin trick".

The only reason I wish to see pictures w/florescent is they should eliminate the glare from the slabs. Then everyone here can make a better guess.

In the meantime. The color of your coins is too shiny. You should look on the heritage site at a MS 1891-S dollar to see what I am indicating.

 

From what I can see, it could possibly land a MS-64 grade. But the last set of images make me almost feel as if it had been cleaned at one time. I thought I see what looks like haloing around the devices both obverse and reverse.

 

Picky, picky...the coins are out of focus. Try again with just one. BTY they are starting to look better than I thought...still no 66.

 

No one who is selling an MS-66 slab is going to sell the coin at a good price! There is no Santa Claus in numismatics. With experience you can become one for yourself.

 

Yes I see I don't want this coin to be a 66 at all I prefer it to be a 64 or 65. I will see what I can do about better pictures. I will take off the flash and use over head florescent light. One more time Either way it is going to be regraded. May be it was improperly cleaned? Who knows until I get it regraded...

 

I give up on the pictures Off to the coin dealer fro submission to regrade. Thanks to all Brien

 

Before you spend the money. Ask his opinion.

 

@Insider..... call me crazy, but I do believe it's a Philly, my friend.