Hi everybody, I'm new around here. I am new to collecting, just getting my feet wet. I thought I would post my coin here for your thoughts. I'm wondering how this coin would grade, specifically (though I know it's difficult to tell from a couple pics on the net). It was given to me by my grandfather 20+ years ago, so it's more of a sentimental thing for me. It sounds odd from someone who wants to be a collector, but I somehow really like the fact that this coin looks like it's 130 years old! Think of the stories it could tell... Anyway, just looking for some pointers. What's important to watch for, what doesn't much matter, is it worth trying to have this cleaned or maybe using some distilled water myself? It looks grimier in the hand than the photos show (flash reflection, I assume.) Thanks!
It has already been cleaned, harshly, and I doubt this coin would grade if a Third Party Grader got it in. It might grade around F12-F15 and then with the cleaning this thing has been through it lowers the value It might be worth around $150 to the $170 range It is a nice piece of history that is for sure, and I know you will always love it, for the value it holds in your heart
P.S. What to look for: You want good details everywhere really, but the high points of the coin, being the breast feathers and the hair above the ear, here is one of my morgans, graded by NGC as a Mint State 63 This is a good morgan for the grade, and I think with black spot on the reverse, I'm okay with the grade Now most morgans, NOT ALL, but most morgans from New Orleans, are very weakly struck, so the breast feathers will be softer, here is an example of which, once again my coin And here is a better struck example, of an O minted morgan dollar, (once again another one from my collection)
Thanks for the responses! I guess the fact that it was at some point cleaned in a botched fashion says something about why grandpa gave it to an 8 year old Grandpa used to be a big collector, I imagine he got this as part of a group of coins. How can you tell is was roughly cleaned, is it because of the lack of detail at the high points, with the darker grime still there in the lows? That, and the many small scratches seem to point to an abrasive scrubbing, come to think of it... And thanks for the pointers, those are some beautiful coins! I live (as the handle implies) way up north, so there are no coin dealers for hours around that I'm aware of. You guys are my best source to learn. So thanks again for your estimate. I have some others in my "kids' collection" in similar condition, so now I know about where I stand with those. They are cool pieces of history for sure.
Thank you, I appreciate all comments on my coins Now, most coins that are harshly cleaned, look somewhat yours, you can tell something was scrubbed against it, as this coin has wear, but also it has been worn off by something rough, maybe like the rough side of the sponge, then after that, since the coloring is a little off, and different in areas sends off a signal as well I have a feeling that your coin had been polished, and had has lost the shine to it, once a coin has been polished, the luster is GONE, so anything you see is probably just the remaining shine in the coin's polishing This is a great place to learn, and I hope you stick around We love any and all questions on coins
Welcome to the forum! I agree the coin has been harshly cleaned, and polished. Are you interested in collecting Morgans, if so I would suggest this book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/079482269X it has some great info. Btw from the pics it looks like it is the Capped CC variety, it doesn't add any extra value, but it is a cool error.
Welcome Welcome to CT & thank you for posting the CC dollar. The 1879 is a good date AND it came from your grandfather. Those are two great reasons to take care of it. I recommend that you don’t clean it anymore & just put it into a protective holder. Very best regards, collect89
Thanks for the replies! I see now, I probably should have put this in the US Coins forum, thanks for not coming down on the newbie. I definitely won't be cleaning any coin on my own. There's no coming back from damage like this one's been through. I had to give grandpa a call this morning, and I asked him about this coin. He said it's possible that it was part of a large lot, but more likely, he had been using it as a placeholder in his Morgan set, and when he replaced it, he didn't really want to keep it in that condition, so he gave it to me. He said he collects sets by first completing the set, then later worrying about condition, upgrading each coin as he can. Seems like a sensible way to go to me. His collection would be fun to go through. Though it's almost all in airtites, he has never sent a coin in for grading. I know he has some older golds, from around the turn of the century. I suspect there are some gems buried there.
Does your grandfather have a computer so he can play with us here on CT? Very best regards, collect89
He has one, but he's deathly afraid of it He's use it to play bridge or do some word processing, but Internet? Forget it. It's probably easier on me that way, since I am the "computer guy" all the family comes to (I'm a network analyst / systems administrator at a hospital).
As has already been said, your coin has been harshly cleaned and therefore wouldn't be gradable. But, the 1879-CC is a nice coin and it came from your grandfather so both make it a keeper for sure. I would leave the coin as it is and enjoy it.
Agreed looks like someone went around the coin with a sharp/fine wire almost to try to remove the toning...still nice coin, I would say if you wanted to sell it you could get $70ish on ebay
Carson City mint Morgans are highly sought after, and many collectors would be happy to have your coin, cleaned or not. My guess is, the longer you keep it, the more you'll appreciate it.
