Let's try this again with some better photos. I picked these up yesterday at my LCS. What do you think. I paid $30 each.
For $30 apiece, you did okay in the current market. I would grade the 1879 MS-61. The cheek has a lot of marks. The 1887 is MS-62, maybe 63. The marks on the cheek might be a bit deep for the higher grade.
#1 Very nicely struck; no obvious scratches but there are a LOT of luster breaks. At best MS-61 and maybe only AU. #2 MS-63, maybe MS-64
The price you paid seems fine...even a bargain considering not much more than some recent silver prices...and photos are good! I'd go a 62 on the 1879 and maybe a 63 on the 1887. That said, even with the big two (or three) TPG, it depends on the grader(s), from one day to the next (bad day/mood v good day/mood), the day of the week and even the time of day, etc...IMO.
The price is good. I'd grade the 1879 S at 61 and the 1887 at 62-63. The 1879 is just too baggy for a higher grade IMO and the reverse fingerprints are a real turnoff. The 1887 looks to have been dipped at some point. All in all, good finds for the price.
The 79-S looks pretty "crunchy" on the face, so I'll say 61 on that one. The 87 looks less marked up, and the fields are pretty clean, but I can't tell how deep the marks are. If they're just light grazes, then 63, otherwise 62.