Grade this 1884-CC Morgan Dollar

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Sholom, Mar 12, 2019.

  1. Sholom

    Sholom retired...

    I'm a total rank amateur newbie when it comes to grading Morgans, and, for that matter, being able to tell the difference between the different gradations of AU and MS.

    I own a number of Morgans: some are nice. Of the nice ones I have, only one of them is a semi- (or, would you call this an almost-semi-) key date?

    I should also add: I don't have the equipment, nor do know how, to take coin photos. These pix are with an iPhone 6 and a regular desk lamp. The actual color of the coin is silver -- which, obviously, didn't quite come out so well. But color ought not to effect grading, right?

    1884 CC Morgan - obs.jpg 1884 CC Morgan - rev.jpg

    Thoughts?
     
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  3. Gregg702

    Gregg702 Active Member

    It is an MS coin, probably 64, so long as it is not cleaned.
     
  4. Evan8

    Evan8 A Little Off Center

    Hard to tell from the pics. If cleaned than MS details. If surfaces are original and luster is there, as in not being dull, then possibly as high as 65. However I think it has more marks than what we can see. If luster is present than I say 64. If no luster, then 63.
     
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  5. Rheingold

    Rheingold Well-Known Member

    I'm in the MS63/64 camp, too.
    Unfortunately the luster is not visible, which depends on your photo skills ;)

    But I asume it's there.
     
  6. cpm9ball

    cpm9ball CANNOT RE-MEMBER

    I don't see any cartwheel luster, either. It's hard for me to tell if it has been improperly cleaned or not.

    Chris
     
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  7. Gregg702

    Gregg702 Active Member

    In other words, it was been narrowed down to anywhere from UNC Details to MS65. Not bad considering the pics we were provided with.
     
  8. Sholom

    Sholom retired...

    Wow -- thank you all. I will see if I can take a better pic (I do have a real camera. I'll try to give it a whirl tonight)!
     
    Mernskeeter likes this.
  9. Sunflower_Coins

    Sunflower_Coins Importer and Exporter

    High spots are the eagle's breast and the hair over Liberty's ear. Neither display any signs of wear from what I can gather. This appears to be an MS coin. It just hard to tell whether it is cleaned or not from the lighting.

    And thanks for not mis-titling this a "GTG". ;)
     
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  10. cpm9ball

    cpm9ball CANNOT RE-MEMBER

    In case you don't already know:
    It is better to use two light sources - one at 10 o'clock and one at 2 o'clock - placed at a 45 degree angle to the coin with the camera directly above the coin. That will show the cartwheel luster the best.

    Chris

    PS. I lived in Falls Church before my divorce.
     
  11. jtlee321

    jtlee321 Well-Known Member

    Based on the images, I would guess it's a 64 shot 65. I'm assuming that there are no hidden issues that I cannot see and that the luster is there, but that it's just hidden do to indirect light.
     
  12. C-B-D

    C-B-D Well-Known Member

    There's no luster and flat features. AU
     
  13. Gregg702

    Gregg702 Active Member

    How can you tell? The lighting is so bad it is impossible.
     
  14. C-B-D

    C-B-D Well-Known Member

    I can see what I think is wear, even with the poor lighting.
     
  15. Gregg702

    Gregg702 Active Member

    The hair and breast feathers look good. I don't see this being an AU coin. UNC Details - Cleaned is the worst grade this would get, in my mind.
     
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  16. Sholom

    Sholom retired...

    I don't know if these help. It's with a better camera, but I still don't know what I'm doing (or how to do it).

    The color still isn't fully accurate. The best way I can describe it is:
    • I'm fairly certain that it's not been cleaned
    • there's maybe a tiny bit of luster (nothing remotely close to cartwheel), and a bit of toning
    Here's "take 2":

    1884 CC Morgan - obs - 2.jpg 1884 CC Morgan - rev - 2.jpg
     
  17. cpm9ball

    cpm9ball CANNOT RE-MEMBER

    These aren't any better. There is no luster.

    Chris
     
  18. Gregg702

    Gregg702 Active Member

    Is there reddish toning? Does it have luster in your hands, or is it just kind of dull?
     
  19. C-B-D

    C-B-D Well-Known Member

  20. jtlee321

    jtlee321 Well-Known Member

    These new images totally change my guess. The first set I assumed there was luster and it was shot under very flat diffuse light. I'm in the low AU camp.
     
    Sunflower_Coins likes this.
  21. Morgandude11

    Morgandude11 As long as it's Silver, I'm listening

    AU 50. Dull surfaces, with no luster.
     
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