So I just got my AP test results for the school year that just finished, and I'll just say I am very very happy. I had AP Environmental Science as a freshman in high school (which is quite advanced compared to most other people) and I got a 4 out of 5 on my AP test! I decided that I should reward myself, and so of course a toned Morgan was the first thing that came to mind. So anyway, would this coin have a chance at CAC? These are seller's pictures by the way. If not, could you tell me why? Thanks!
It looks acceptable for a 64. I'd be ok with that as a CAC (64 A or B coin). It's a coin where I don't think CAC will make a big difference but if you know someone to help send it in, then it could be a good learning experience for ~$20-$25 (CAC of $14.50 plus shipping costs).
The coin looks very lackluster for an MS64 and the fact that a coin with that level of toning but no star designation concerns me even more about the luster. My guess is that CAC would not grean bean this coin at MS64, but I don't know why you care. The CAC green sticker simply means that the coin is solid for the assigned grade. The greysheet for an MS64 1884-O Morgan is $50 and only $55 for CAC. Rainbow toned coins don't trade at price guide levels so the value of this coin really isn't related to the faith in the assigned grade, but rather the quality of the toning.
In regard to your coin, my colleagues above said it quite well. Given those photos, I wouldn't send it in, and I'm unsure how much a green sticker would help the value. The coin's luster looks muted and the contact marks look about normal for the grade on the reverse. The marks on the obverse are impossible to tell form those photos. Speaking of marks, good job on the test kid; APES is definitely a junior/senior course most everywhere. Keep earning 4's and you'll get your degree that much quicker--nothin' like going into college with 30+ credit hours of a 130ish credit hour degree already out of the way.
I know that this is a minority view, but try to avoid catching “CAC fever.” It really does not make any sense unless you have high end, expensive coins. Then you will get more like-minded collectors interested in it. It does not make any sense to spend money on shipping fees plus CAC’s grading fee on common date coins. Even if it gets the sticker, it won’t mean much. As for the coin, I hope that the obverse toning is not too dark. Not all toning is good. In fact, most of it is either a “so what?” or a detriment. The toing that advanced collectors like is colorful with lots of mint luster shining through it. The trouble is if the toning is too bright and colorful, It’s probably artificial. How can you tell the difference? Lots of experience. There was a post here a couple days ago of some screaming artificial toning that I advised beginners study.
I know, if I buy this coin it'll probably just be to keep in my personal collection. I just want to know if I could make it just that little bit cooler with a green bean. Personally I prefer dark toning because it pops out with the luster, but if this coin is lacking luster, then it might not be so great. Also, I can identify AT as I have been collecting toned Morgans for about two years now.
Congrats on the AP Enviro score! When I was in high school, that was actually the senior science class for anyone who didn't want to take AP Physics-B, so kudos to you for taking it as a freshman.
Couldn’t have said it better. I do like this coin more as a 63* I think it’s a 63 that got a color bump to 64. It doesn’t appear to have luster of a 64 and seems muted. The color is nice and seems to have a nice progression and covers most of the coin. I don’t believe it would CAC as a 64 but who cares.
Return it ASAP! Just like I did. I've owned that coin myself and the photos are juiced. It will not CAC. There's also a huge palm print on the upper obverse.
Yeah it seems that the seller, silverbug gem cameo, juices everything. I bought a nickel for only $40 fortunately and the colors are completely wrong and weird. Thanks for letting me know!
