I have this 1896-S Morgan that is in spectacular condition. I would very much appreciate the grading opinions from other members. I have my own opinion, of course, but I would like to sell this coin and feel it would be best to get impartial opinions on the coin. So, here it is: And here is a link to a video of the coin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQkdJBGgerE So, what grade would you assign to this coin? Because it is a top 50 VAM, I am strongly considering the additional cost of sending this to PCGS for attribution... but it really is quite evident that this is a VAM 5. In advance, thank you very much. Michael
Please don't take this wrong. I am Clueless and still trying to learn but or you possitive this coin is real ?
I too am new to the grading so take this with a grain of salt...looks to be cleaned. not sure if it would even grade..
Imo, from the pics the coin appears to have altered surfaces. This is a big money coin in MS grades, so coin doctors will mess with AU coins, to make them look MS. I believe your coin was polished, and then in an attempt to cover up the polishing the devices of the coin were artificially frosted. One give away is the shininess in certain parts of the device (especially on Liberty's hair). Also what ever was used to re-frost the devices is seen in the fields, most notably as a streak right under trust, running parallel with the eagle's wing. There is also a build up of the substance on the 3rd leaf cluster from the top right of the wreath on the reverse.
There appears to be some rub on the hair above Miss Libertys ear. Still, it has better eye appeal than some of my GSA's.
I am triple positive that this coin is real and has never been polished or conditioned. There is nothing wrong with the 'M' on the neck, and there is what appears to be minor rub on the hair above the ear. However, this rub is all in one direction, and has a texture as if it was moved across a rough surface once. The coin in hand does not have the same appearance as in the pictures. I closely examined the coin under 20X magnification and there are the tell tale signs of die polishing (raised straight lines in the fields and thicker in the deepest recesses of the coin) There are no indications of coin polishing or dipping, as there are no incused lines and the reverse and obverse have degrees of separation in toning. As stated, I am very confident that this coin is undoctored and 100% authentic. I would very much appreciate a grade. In my opinion, I have graded it as AU58, as the only signs of wear seem to be on the hair above the ear, and minor rub on the hair under liberty and above the eye... very minor. Everything else about this coin is MS, but I think it has seen a short stint of circulation.
With that scan the photo makes the coin look flush and polished like to me. But assuming it's real and not funny I'd say AU55. Good luck with it.
I am not questioning the authenticity..and what appears to be polishing or rubbing on liberty's cheek may be because of the scan, but the little bits of toning among the stars with the large white blotchy areas around them look like it was at minimum washed in some sort of chemical. If you do send it in for grading please let us know how it comes back...
Sent to ICG and was given MS60 Details. VAM 5 is attributed on the holder. ICG says the coin was cleaned. I spoke with Randy personally and he taught me so much on how to ID this type of cleaning in the future. That's what I love about this hobby. It's a non-stop learning process and there are some great people also involved in the hobby. So, with this being a MS60, details, VAM 5... I'm wondering what kind of value I could associate with it. Numismedia has the FMV at $1470 for a 96-S in MS60. Of course, the cleaning will knock it down in value, but the Hot 50 VAM 5 would really boost it's value. The I/R on the 96-S VAM 5 is 3/4. I would like to get opinions of the coin's value as it is. Personally, I would not let it go for less than $2,200... but that's just me.
Redbook: Guide to Morgan Silver Dollars places the value of MS-60 @ $1800, and thats not giving any premium for the VAM on it either.
Heritage hasn't had an example on the block since January 7, 2006. That was an MS65 (NGC) that went for over $18k. Given yours is MS60, cleaned and ICG, I'd say $2500 is a fair asking price?
