Would you risk it?

I've been looking for an 1893 S Morgan for five years to complete my business strike Morgan collection.

For sale on EBay: the "King of the Morgans" Yes, the coveted 1893 S. Here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350374019015&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I normally only buy key date coins that cost this much if they are slabbed by one of the top 3 Third Party Grading Services NGC or PCGS or ANACS.

The Problem with this specimen is that it's in one of those old ANACs flips. Not excactly "tamper free" if you catch my drift....If it's legit, you could score a key date Morgan in great condition, at a significant discount, if it's fake, you could lose out.

Would you pull the trigger?

 

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call anacs they can verify its authenticity of serial #, you should call them (seller) and see if hes willing to send it back to anacs for a reholder ..they'll give it the same serial # new holder...

 

The coin in the flip does not look like the coin in the photo on the ANACS card. I would ask for a better photo of the coin to compare to the ANACS photo and look for bag marks and other markings. If I could not match up these unique identifiers I would pass on the coin.

 

If I were spending that amount, I'd want better feedback:

Check Toolhaus

 

What were ANACS's grading rules back then?
Would they grade a cleaned coin?

For that amount of money I'd look for a slabbed coin.

I lucked out when I bought mine.
I bought it raw in the 70's.
I shipped it to PCGS in the 90's and it came back slabbed (G-6).
I wouldn't buy that coin raw today.

 

The spot just southwest P is there the Pitting on the jawbone and the scratch on the chin are there just have to look hard from a SW to NE angle (easier done on the laptop). I would say its the same coin and If I had the spare change to spend Yes I would. Just expect slow shipping as that's mostly what his negs are for

 

I see no difference. ld-guy-smile: Remember, those pictures were taken before they even had digital or at least commonly. Their photos from that era looked a little funky.

FWIW, my limited knowledge of those "slabs" are that they were well graded. However, for that kind of money, I would certainly ask for better photos:luckyguy:

 

I also see enough of landmarks to be fairly sure it is the same coin. ANACs did label "Cleaned" in that series of photo certificates. Since there is a couple of days, ask for a photo of the complete cert showing the reverse to see if the coin has had damage or corrosion occur in the last few decades, and also a photo of the back of the photo cert, as it identiifies subjective features.

 

im in total agreeance with hbo..

 

Thanks for the great inputs everyone. I especially like Lehigh's suggestion to check Toolhaus. That's a great site, true feedback can be so telling. Checking his feedback, the other thing that jumps out about this seller, is that he doesn't specialize in coins. Although most of his recent feedback is for coins, it looks like the guy is an antique dealer, who dabbles in coins. This could be good or bad. Thoughts?

 

Not worth the risk, imho.

 

That is the exact type of coin that needs to be seen in hand to be purchased or legitimately slabbed by either PCGS or NGS. TC