I don't usually play the upgrade game. Well, not anywhere near what I used to. But I bought a dozen MS65 OGH Morgans at my local coin shop yesterday. Most with consecutive serial numbered holders. When I got home, I got them under my light and took my time inspecting them. Without hesitation I cracked out these seven and will be submitting them to NGC with my next order. I think I've got 2 or 3 MS67's in this group, and the rest have a decent shot at MS66. But Morgan's are not my specialty, so what do you think? A little added bonus was the 2nd 1884-O. Looks like a VAM 10, Hot-50 O/O.
I am fairly knowledgeable/comfortable with grading (in general), but definitely NOT in grading Morgan's. All I see is "chattered" cheeks, "scratches", weak strikes, and bag marks/PMD galore. How anyone can definitively assign a grade to these is beyond me. Seriously. They all look the same after a while, right? Give me a pre-1930's Lincoln and I'll hit it spot on...one of these Morgan's, I'm a beginner all over again. Ugh!
I will say the second 1879 s is and the rest are 65 plus and 66 I think maybe the First 1879 s as well as the obverse is really nice
I'm very curious to see the results! 79S - 66 Too much chatter on the cheek, and that mark left of the eagle rules out a 67 79S #2 - 67 This is a strong contender, and a very nice coin 81S - 65. Maybe a plus? Way too many marks on the cheek for higher 85O - 66+ Great coin, but the negative eye appeal of the spot in front of her lips keeps it from a 67 for me 84O - borderline 67? Might make it, might not. Depends on the strength of luster, and how prominently those marks in the left obverse field show up 84O #2 - maybe a 65. Awful strike (although typical for New Orleans). The thing that killed this was the overdipping that stripped most of the luster away. 85 - has a shot at 67, but probably 66. Looks like a really nice coin, but this is a very common date. Depends on how bad that long mark on the cheek looks in hand.
I'll guess the first and the fifth have a chance but it is hard to upgrade blast white (or close to white) MS 65s to MS 67s. With nice color, there is a better chance but it is still difficult. Also, the 84-O, 85, and to a lesser extent the 85-O are less common in 67 than the 79-82 San Francisco (so that could play a role too).
Little toning line. No clue but it’s not etched into the metal and it is so thin it goes almost unnoticed due to the luster.
Cracking out OGL PCGS holders might not be a great strategy. Some people will pay a premium for them, especially if the Morgan Dollars have a clean cheek. I had a 1794 half dime re-holdered because the slab had a scratch on the reverse. It was in an OGL, and today I wish I had not done it.
OGH (not OGL, right ?) covers virtually the entire 1990's, right ? Because there were different versions. I think the 3.1 ended in 1998. Some people think OGH means late-1980's/early-1990's.
Yep 1989-1998 if going by the museum of holders page. Gen 2.1 through 3.1 are all some form of OGH (with 3.1 being the most common and longest run, from 1993-1998). https://www.pcgs.com/holders
Meow was under the impression that MS67s are pretty had to find in even new coins. The few MS67 state quarters Meow has are flawless to the naked eye. So Meow would think they would be near impossible in a vintage coin other than a proof. Meow would guess a few may get MS66, but no better. But what does this Cat know anyway?