I picked this up from my local coin dealer last week. They had it graded at MS 64. Do you think that grading is rightis right? I really like the coin and condition. Besides the Lincolns, I think the Morgans are my next favorire series.
Not what you want to hear, but I wonder if the coin is even genuine. Looking at all of the pimples and pockmarks - I'm thinking it's a cast fake.
If I had to go with one specific grade guess, it would be MS63. I do not share Doug's concern regarding authenticity, however - it looks genuine to me.
It looks and feel real, not sure I have ever held a fake. I have been looking pretty hard at it under a magnifier and comparing it to others. Never ever occured to me it might be a fake. I have only been doing business with this dealer for a few months, but they have been around for a lond time. So far I have had pretty good luck with them.
Imo I think it's genuine, I couldn't find anything that leads me to believe it's a counterfeit. I see what your seeing though Doug, it looks like the 2x2 might be a little dusty, so I think it's just dust on the coin. Btw I checked the date with the die chips in the first 8 and the closed 9, I would be really surprised if it's a counterfeit.
And you do not find all of the little raised metal bumps, and pockmarks, literally all over the coin, but worse on the rims and legends, to be an indicator of a fake coin ? How else do you explain them ?
I'm just not seeing what you are. We evaluate coins very differently - you look at the little things, whereas I look at the big picture. And the coin looks normal/genuine to me.
I'll see if I can take a better (more close) picture later on. Upon looking at it closely in person, It does not seem as you describe, but you are going by my picture. I appreciate you all's input.
Maybe you can get a picture with it out of the 2x2. I see what doug is talking about and just wondering if that might help.
A coin that was struck on a rusted die will have tiny little bumps. Just check out this 1904-O variety. I just had a few of these last week. Look at the 2nd picture on the page in particular. http://www.vamworld.com/1904-O+VAM-1B1 Nightowl
That is what I was thinking - I had one one time that had dust in it that made the coin look bumpy and with little dents in the 2x2 cellophane.
OK, now I am worried. I got home tonight and was going to tak a picture, but can't get the right lighting, so I will take the coin to work tomorrow for a better pic. Doug, I think that is your name, you may be on to something. After a closer inspection with my eye piece and comparing it to others, I do see a difference. The surface is not as smooth and shinny as the others. There are little raised bumps in the surface, kind of looks like sand paper. Now, this will be a first for me. How do I approach my loacl coin dealer? Will most give me my money back? What do I say? Was he aware of this? Very discoraging for me to have to fight this battle. Takes some of the fun out of it. This is assuming of course its a fake. Hats off to Doug....maybe. Also, I did not want to take it out of the original 2x2 since I may have to take it back.
The coin looks pretty baggy to me, and no, I wouldn't grade it MS-64. But it doesn't look like a cast counterfeit to me. It is a common date in a common grade. I'm glad you like it, and hope you didn't pay too much for it.
It looks authentic to me, but I don't think it would grade MS64. It is a little baggy and I see what looks like a fingerprint on the obverse. I would say it's MS63 at the very best.
Be certain to not be accusing when you return to your local dealer. Approach the issue with a sense of curiosity from the standpoint of knowing that cast counterfeits exhibit the same surface disturbances and ask him to re-check this coin . Let us know what they conclude. As for the grade, I would say the coin is over-graded at MS64. Tom.