Please suggest a grade on this Morgan dollar

Nope, no flash. Just a "high-intensity" lamp with a GE Reveal bulb, as GDJMSP suggested. I notice that the luster on the coin doesn't really come through.

 

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I think that it has a shot at MS-65 but we all could tell more with some pictures that show the true color of the coin! You might try taking pictures in natural light and see how they come out. When I get disgusted with lighting problems, I usually seek out a slightly shaded area outside.


Frank

 

Huntsman, I agree with you. Flourescent lighting also works well.

 

Is that a rim nick between 1 and 2 o' clock?

 

Yeah - you hit the nail on the head. I was going to ask if this was one of the S dates with extraordinary strikes, because the coins design definitions are just drop dead perfect. But what bothers me is that after almost 3 years of looking at Morgans closely on line, I see NOTHING on this coin in terms of hits.

When I blow it up 200 and 400 percent I still see nothing I can call a hit. I see surface marks, discolorations, in the toning and on the reverse their MIGHT BE a hit in the ribbon above the 'S' and the reverse rim when blown way up shows roughness. I'm not visually reading any clank marks.

:desk:

 

there is obviously something going on with the bottom left neck in the triangle, but it doesn't seem like a hit mark or a scratch to me.

Ruben

 

We really need better pics. And whats going on on the rim around 1 o'clock on the obverse?

 

Can I post other coins, like gold?

I have some other stuff I would like to get an opinion on, as well, like a trade dollar, bust half, walking liberty halves, early American gold pieces.

 

Is there a list somewhere with the strike "strengths" (from strong to weak) for all Morgan dollars? I have some other Morgans that on the one hand appear to be worn in places on Liberty's hair, but the rest of the coin appears pristine. Could this be the result of a weaker strike?

Really just curious how stronger and weaker strikes may factor in to TPG grading. Or is there a good resource online where I can read up on the differences in strikes in different years?

Thanks

 

Nice little book.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Redbook-Guide-B...goryZ530QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

Sure thing! Please do.

 

Nice little book. Just ordered it

 

Thanks for the direction

 

I think these are better

 

Unquestionably, the color balance looks better in pics in Post 36. : )

You may have already tried using white balance preset (WB) if your camera has that feature. Most cameras have settings that can be adjusted for the type of lighting: daylight, incandescent, fluorescent, etc.

If that won't work with your camera, try a different type of bulb. A 5100K 'twist' bulb will usually provide a color that should be just about right, though I do a White Balance Preset every time I change my lighting around, even changing position of lighting.

Many cameras will not compensate accurately from lighting originating from two types of lighting. The only time I use a different color lighting is to produce highlights of a different shade or color. In those cases, I preset white balance for the main lighting, then turn on the other lamp for highlights and take photos without changing anything.

Let us know how it goes. We'll be watching for your upcoming pics. : )

The reason I'd have OP coin slabbed is that is it one of the cleanest Morgans around, even with its few marks which are minor. There are many 65 Morgans with more marks. I'd send this one to PCGS as opposed to others. They seem a bit more lenient when it comes to nice Morgans. : )

 

I absolutely agree, having two types of lighting can create some very unnatural effects. Check out the pics of this Jefferson with a combination of fluorescent and OTT lights at the same time. The second pic is without the OTT light. Drastic difference wouldn't you say.




I always manually adjust my white balance by using a blank piece of paper before shooting. White lights work best for me, no incandescent.

 

Got it yesterday. Nice book! (Whitman Guide to Morgan Silver Dollars)

Gave me a new appreciation for the sheer volume of Morgan dollars out there in mint state!

Also gave me a better appreciation for the history behind the series. They are lovely works of art

 

well if the photo is all whited out from glare that is obviously a disadvantage to trying to grade it.

Ruben