Grading Tutorial on Morgans

I have a graded 1887 Morgan in a 64. I can use this 1897 as my example for an MS63. Thanks for the help!

 

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You're welcome. But always remember, it's a subjective analysis. But that's the basic thought process, the negative and positive, you're subjectively weighing on your coin.

Good luck. This isn't hard. You'll catch on.

 

Didn't see this. I'll get on it tonight when I get home from work.

 

I should like to make a suggestion about all GTG posts.

There are all levels of knowledge on CT. One of the things this site attempts to do is to educate. Therefore as suggestion:

As Doug has done above, when you guess a grade, tell why you reached that conclusion. It would be very helpful.

Example: MS-64 is not very educational on its own. While, MS-64 because the coin has a weak strike, some light scattered marks, fully original luster, a tiny patch of hairlines or very light scrape on the reverse near the rim, attractive eye appeal, etc.

Just a suggestion.

 

I would suggest you pick up a copy of Jason Poe's book...The Art and Science of Grading Coins.

 

Until I read Doug ' s post I was going to mention the same about the 1880 S and the grading curve . The 1880 S Morgan is one of my favorite Morgan dollars to collect.
I must have 15 to 20 raw and graded.
When you lay them side by side and compare them raw as well as graded you can definitely see the difference in grades.
Then pick out another nice Morgan different date in a 65 and then you can really see the difference . Again I'm bias but even a 62/63- 80 S is a sweet looking coin,especially if there a fair amount of luster and eye appeal .

 

And one most worthy. Too many times we don't report the reason for our conclusions.

 

Don't make you no expert.........I've got the volume, and still learning from one half my age...........God that sucks.........

 

I am going to be the tough grader here. There are actual scratches on the cheek, and a cut on the neck. The fields have many bag marks on the obverse, and two very rough areas of bag marks on the reverse, in the fields. The strike is far from extraordinary for a date known for very strong strikes. Given the number of really nice examples of that date, I am going low at MS 61.

 

The 80S or 97P?

 

Here's another picture of the Obverse. The Bag mark running down her face is much more prominent in this shot. I didn't even see it until I looked at it with 5 times magnification which I believe is what they use to grade.

 

And a new shot of the Reverse

 

with these shots I believe a lot more is revealed. I was able to get a decent shot closer up.

 

Second coin I ever bought knowing nothing of what I was doing. Spent $35.00 on it. Oh Well, you live and learn. I will never go to that LCS again.

 

LCS owners can become great friends and mentors. Don't cut off any source of coins close to you.

When you learn to grade and with hard work and study become a better numismatist than the dealer at the LCS, you will, and be very happy ($$$) you did.

 

I went to another LCS yesterday and he said he would give me Grey Sheet on CC's. Kind of weird he doesn't keep them in his store so I would have to call and tell him to bring them. His are ungraded and he said I could take all the pictures I want before I buy. I will wait til I am ready though. And I will post the pics on this site too. CC's aren't cheap. At least I got burned on a $35.00 coin rather than something much more expensive.

 

What would be unjust about them being held to the same standard?

 

It's called market grading and unless you know subtleties like this and the value of particular date coins in each condition, it is virtually impossible for the average collector to do. That's the way the "big boys" want it.