Hi all, Just had a 2025 W $1 SILVER EAGLE UNC grade as MS-70 with a Superlative of SF. Anyone know what that means? I'm guessing the F has something to do with frosting. Is there a list of ALL Superlatives that ANACS uses when grading coins? For instance, I noticed a prior post where someone was told that HC stood for heavy cameo. Thanks as always!
https://anacs.com/faqs/ has a short list of their superlatives (scroll down) but doesn't list SF. However, all of them in their population report for 2025-W silver eagles show SF under "Super." I'm not familiar with the finishes on these. Edit: Aha, found it when I click on Abbreviations in their pop report. SF is indeed satin finish. I'll attempt to post the entire list. Edit again: nevermind, @Chris B just did.
From ANACS.com 5! 5.5 Steps & Cameo 5* 5.5 Steps & Deep Cameo 5+ 5.5 Steps 5C 5 Steps & Cameo 5D 5 Steps & Deep Cameo 5P 5 Steps Proof-Like 5S 5 Steps 6C 6 Steps & Cameo 6D 6 Steps & Deep Cameo 6P 6 Steps Proof-Like 6S 6 Steps BP Brown & PL BR Brown BY ANCIENT BYZANTINE COIN CD Cameo & Deep Mirror Proof-Like CM Cameo CP Cameo & Proof-Like DM Deep-Mirror Proof-Like FB Full Split Bands FC Full Split Bands & Cameo FD Full Split Bands & Deep Cameo FH Full Head FL Full Bell Lines FP Full Split Bands & Proof-Like GN TEST GR ANCIENT GREEK COIN HC Deep Cameo LP Full Bell Lines & Proof-Like OC Obverse Cameo OD Obverse Deep Mirror Proof-Like OH Obverse Deep Cameo OP Obverse Proof-Like OU Obverse Ultra Deep Mirror PL -P Red-Brown & Proof-Like PL Proof-Like RB Red and Brown RD Red RO ANCIENT ROMAN COIN RP Red and Proof-Like SF SATIN FINISH UD Ultra Deep Mirror Proof-Like
I've been searching for one of these for a long time, and I've never seen one in person. I've heard they (exist/existed) but I've never witnessed one.
A search of Heritage archives for "anacs Ultra Deep Mirror" returns 111 sold items and they're all Morgans coded UDM and in older slabs. I wonder if they stopped designating them that way.
I believe they still do (they just aren't commonly seen). I owned an obverse UDM Morgan in a new yellow slab. If they did obverse UDM, I'm sure they will still grade a full UDM too if a coin that qualifies arrives for grading.
The reason I had even looked for this list was because I received a coin back with the HC designation. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what it could mean. HC-Deep Cameo
It appears that the list is two letter codes that they use internally and what they put on the label is generated from that, but may not be those same two letters. For example, CD is their code for "Cameo & Deep Mirror Proof-Like", but the label says "Cameo DMPL", not CD.
I would be willing to bet a bag of Peace Dollars this coin has gone to the great grading plain in the sky and since crossed over to PCGS, especially since it's not been attributed to a VAM.
I think every Morgan is a VAM isn't it? Even if it's the main die pair? I'm being a smartass but I think I'm mostly correct. Most VAMs aren't worth much, unless some publication says they are. I happen to like collecting them but usually only spectacular clashes you can see with the naked eye. I don't make these rules however, and I don't understand who made them. One of our members has a discovery VAM but those never seem to have monetary value. You'd think they would..........
I think that is essentially correct, every Morgan and Peace could be a VAM 1 which would be a basic die marriage of normal characteristics: normal date, normal mint mark and normal design spacing. The VAM 1 is basically a benchmark, if you will, that aberrant VAM varieties are gauged against. Does this hold true always? No, there are exceptions to the rule. And one of those exceptions is: UNASSIGNED VAMs. Almost every variety has a few, or more than a few. I have found some of these. Finally, just like all coins, Morgan and Peace dollars are all valuable to the person who wants a specific VAM attribution for his or her collection. Minor attributes are less valuable but those VAMs on the Hot 50 List or Top 40 List can command amazing sale prices. These rules were formulated by Supply and Demand and the severity of the attribute on a specific popular VAM…Spark p.s….VAM attribution is an extra service you pay for beyond mere grading or authentication. If requested and paid for, the TPG must confirm what you say is on the coin…then they will put it on the label.
