1878-S Morgan - What's the grade?

Hello everybody,

I recently received an 1879-S Morgan dollar for my birthday (sorry about the 1878 in the title, I can't edit it.). It is definitely uncirculated and appears to grade higher than any others I have. Please see the linked photos.


What are your opinions as to the grade?

https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/rieb/web/Coins/1878%20S%20obv.JPG
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/rieb/web/Coins/1878S%20Rev.JPG

Thanks!
Jake

 

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I will guesstimate 63.

 

I feel that its a borderline coin, but I say it is a nice MS-63.

 

i'd go 63 and possibly 64. nice coin and thank you for sharing..

 

My guess would also be in the MS-63 range Thanks for posting.

Ben

 

I agree with all, an MS-63.

 

Thanks everybody!!!

I really appreciate the help.

 

Lock 64 IMO. No higher, no lower.

 

I really thought the coin had a 64 look, but I thought the carbon spots on the reverse may knock it down to 63 if it was a borderline coin.

 

Definite MS-63 with a shot at a 64

 

Has anyone else noticed that the Reverse has the slanted Feather on the arrow shaft of the 1879 Reverse but has the Concave Breast on the Eagle of the 1878 Reverse? Am I missing something or is this a new VAM Variety? I am not that great with the Reverses used on the 1878 and 1879 Morgans!

I agree that it is a MS-63!

 

i'd give it MS-63

 

Hey Coin Talk Folks,

I am posting again to get this topic back to the top of the list to see if anyone agrees with my previous post about the coin! I would like to see what you all think!

 

Doug,

The 3rd Reverse has the rounded breast similar to the Reverse used on the 1878 8TF Variety Morgans, although it does not protrude outwards as much! The breast on Jake's (der_meister77's) 1879-S Morgan appears to be flat, like some of the Eagle's breasts I have seen on quite a few coins with the 2nd Reverse. I am probably wrong but it looks like a highbred cross between a 2nd and a 3rd Reverse.

 

I wish I could contribute something productive regarding this question about my coin but I have to admit I am new to Morgan dollars and am having trouble distinguishing the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd reverses!

If more pictures would help you guys out with this let me know, and I will see what I can do.

Sharp eye, huntsman!

 

Frank,
Try tilting your head at a 60 degree angle to the right when you look at the reverse. I was thinking that it was not a convex breast at first, but then I tilted my head and could see that it is (I believe anyway).

 

Zane,

I know what you are saying but a picture is 2 dimensional and although it may appear that the Eagle's breast is convex by looking at the picture at an angle, it is really an optical illusion! It's sort of like trying to look up a girl's skirt by tilting a picture of her! Some may laugh and scoff but a lot of guys have done just that when they were younger. Now, will all of those who have, raise your hand. LOL!!!!!

I think that the only way that we can settle this matter, is to have Jake (der_ meister77) take a picture of the coin from the side but not perfectly straight on at the rim. So Jake if you read this, can you please provide one or more pictures of the coin from the side so that we might be able to determine if the Eagle's breast is concave (some are actually flat) or if it is convex?