Finally took some pics of the 1890 CC tailbar Morgan in my Grandfather's collection. Want to get your opinions on it, and whether it would be worth it to send in for authentication/grading...it is pretty banged up, but it is a CC and it is a top 100 VAM...what do you think? I didn't want to post in the Morgan thread, because I figured it would get lost and I would definitely like some opinions.
Nice tailbar. I would agree with Doug, looks like a VF Details grade. Price is a little tough because it's a problem coin. An ANACS F12 sold on Heritage back in October for $160, A PCGS VG10 just sold on eBay for $145, and a raw tailbar also sold on eBay for $140 (It looked like a XF, but with an old cleaning). I would think it's worth around $100-$120. Imo, there's no real need to send it in for the authentication, the tailbar is a very obvious VAM, and with the grading fees it really wouldn't be worth it.
That was basically what I was leaning towards. Thanks for the confirmation. Probably my favorite out of the all of the ones that I have. Too bad it's so scratched up on the face...wish I knew what happened to it
Not to rain on anyone's parade, but is there any chance this could be a chinese fake? I have an 1893 CC that is almost certainly a fake, and it has many of the same properties as this coin; gun metal look, generally weak strike, etc. but mine (like this one) has virtually no sign of pock marks as a result of poor casting, it has very clean fields like this one. It's the correct weight and diameter too. If this coin is real I might have to rethink mine... I've always assumed it's a fake but perhaps it isn't? Hmm... very confusing
I mean I only know that is is part of my grandfather's collection, and I have no reason to believe that it is a fake. The coin dealer I took it to a while ago to "authenticate" and "appraise" it never once mentioned that it could be a fake, and assured me that he thought it was authentic...
I see no signs of a counterfeit. Date looks correct, and it's in the right position (Far Date), the CC looks slanted to right (which is correct for a VAM 4). Overall, the details are good, fields are smooth, denticles are right, and the wear pattern looks normal. If you can, get some pics of your coin, and start another thread about it.
