Should this be the first coin I submit to a TPG? Please let me know if the picture needs to be better to offer an opinion. Thanks!
For me to send a coin like that to be slabbed I would have to be pretty sure it would come back an ms65. Your coin looks nice but I can't tell from your photos. Work on them some more. Here is a member who loves coin photography and helping others improve. Send him a message. http://www.cointalk.com/forum/members/larry-moran/
The cheek is really clean of dings but the lower portion of the neck appears to be squished flat. I do not see how this coins would be able to pass MS64.
Thanks for the opinion. I sent Larry Moran a message as you suggested. I could tell that the luster of this coin (which is really nice IMO) didn't really come through in my photo. GDJMSP suggested using GE Reveal light bulbs and not use the camera flash. I need to get one of those when I can. For these photos I used a regular light bulb with no camera flash. Terry
its nice. The one advantage of having it grades is that slab itself will protect the coin. It that is worth the grading fee to you then I'd do it. I'd do something with that coin to protect it. Ruben
I think it is MS65 with a shot a MS66, but I am very worried that the lighting you used to photograph the coin is hiding surface flaws. Try to take another picture straight on at the coin and post obverse and reverse.
Of course it would depend on whether you were keeping it or selling it. If it is a true 65 and you were to sell it raw you may get $50 for it on a good day. Throw it in an NGC or PCGS holder and you could more than double that.
Here are some photos more straight on, using a GE Reveal light bulb (Ignore the second set of photos below. I sharpened those photos and inserted them above the originals, but can't seem to delete the originals. Oh well. Learning curve.) Note, the obverse is actually bronzish in color. The light isn't doing that. Also a paper fragment got in the photo at the top-right of the obverse - that's not damage. I also sharpened the photos a bit. That would just clarify the detail, right? Any better?
For an '81-S, 65 max. But tell me this, the color of your background, in which pic is it accurate, the obv or rev ? My guess is you still need to adjust the white balance on your camera.
I have a question about that but I prefer not to get into it from my micro computer on the subway. Later tonight I'll ask my secific question on your grading opinion...but it looks higher than a MS65 to me. Ruben
You need to look closer, I'm not even sure it would go 65. Hits all over the place, And you have to remember, Morgans from the S mint '79-'81 are not treated the same as other Morgans. They have to be truly exceptional to get a 65. This coin is not.
It's accurate in both pics. The obverse is bronze in tone, and the reverse is more silvery shiny. I do see a little, maybe I can call it, bronzing of both photos - a yellow shift - so both pics are a little more yellow than they should be. Maybe then you are right about the white balance... Do you think I may need more "white" from my camera? (this is in reference to GDJMSP @7:40)
It could be the white balance, or sometimes it's just your lighting. I know when I take pictures in my living room they always come out that yellowish color. Also do you have the flash on?