Hey guys, I wanted to do something entirely unique; you know, something nobody else does. That's 'cuz I'm such a free-thinking non-conformist, doncha know. :rolling: Well, I came with a totally original new idea - all my own. "I know !" I told myself. "I'll get a tatoo ! I can be the first kid on my block." Then I thought "How I about invent some theories about conspiracies", but that was taken. I found out there aren't any tatoos wild enough. I wanted something really insane and far-out, and finally came up with something totally novel : Let's grade a Morgan dollar ! As always, all comments are welcomed - not just a number. Here ya go : An 1887 Morgan from my great-great-aunt Lallie's birthyear (Mary Alice Stuart Henslee, 1887 - 1981). I knew her well, and loved her well. In particular, I'm trying to learn about imaging, so please critique me.
I will opine ms-64 pl, for the lallie dollar. I was going to say something else but on these I find I get closer if I add to the number, I tend to undergrade. I think that some of what I am seeing are die cracks and not contact marks.
ms-64 to ms-65 The right I see a die crack, the other one I cant tell if its a die crack or contact mark, the one on the elft of the observe...
Hmmm well that lighting makes it look like it was polished but I'll guess it's just the lighting eh? As for grade maybe 65? And without closer examination I'd also give it a fair guess that that's a 7/6. Look at the bottom of the 7 and see if there is just a touch of the bottom of a six hanging out like a fishhook. If I'm right I should get on your Christmas list or at least send me to ANA Summer session as that is a money coin.
Well yea there is also a large die crack going around the obv that isn't mentioned in the Vam book but here's what your looking for: http://www.vamworld.com/1887-P+VAM-2
I don't know much about the VAMs, but there are many die cracks on both the obverse and reverse which should make the variety attribution solid. I only see one mark ( under US .) which looks to be more like a mark you would normally see on a plastic holder, rather than the coin. Were these pictures taken through a holder? Assuming that mark is on a holder, I'd think the coin is in the upper MS category (65+).
A 7/6? hmmmh what gives it away? Just curious not challenging your judgement, its just I am a VAM collector mainly overdates or overmintmarks etc. Its always good to know new info!
Nice Morgan! Good pics, but they look a little dark, or maybe it's just the lighting (What type of lights did you use?) Almost looks like florescent lighting (only not as strong) which can make the hits look worse than in hand. My guess is the hits aren't as bad, in hand, and with the obv being very clean I'll say 66. Btw, Mark it's a clash mark coming out of liberty's neck (From the eagle's wing on the on the rev).
Man, you guys are good ! You found a lot of stuff from a mediocre photo. Yes, there are some interesting die clashes and die cracks. Yes, it was taken with flourescent lights - an Ott + two others. Yes, that makes the luster grazes look worse than they are. Yes, it was taken through a slab - an NGC MS65, which I think is a fair grade. Thanks for playing !
