I like to have them done with little to no reflectivity, just field contrast to the devices It seems to me that this is more indicative of the surface and makes reading the coin easier. If you deal with PL and DMPL coins you know what a dark field like this represents.
@HawkeEye that is a much better representation. Unfortunately, a picture like that won't draw the high bids. Many will assume it's barely pl and avoid the listing.
Look how the seller describes it in the title: "1879 S MORGAN PCGS MS65! ABSOLUTELY A KNOCKOUT COIN! MONSTER DMPL OBVERSE! PQ+++" The photos show a dmpl coin. How is a coin that is virtually DMPL according to the seller not even in a PCGS PL holder?
It is very close to being so, and the TPG probably blew it. Monster DMPL? Dunno about that, but I would imagine certainly prooflike.
I can see a TPG blowing a few grades. However, when the seller has multiple coins that don't even pl, but they claim all to be dmpl, then it is no longer the TPG at fault.
Seems like this is the thread to post this in. Guesses at what this will end up at? Going to be sending off to NGC in the next week or so. Picked up a live auction yesterday.
I'd recommend starting a new guess the grade thread. It would likely get more visibility and replies. My guess, based on the images, is MS 62 PL (maybe only a STAR instead of PL if one of the sides isn't strong enough).
I was guessing that the reverse isn't as impressive in hand. Note that the seller carefully brags only about the obverse. BOTH sides have to be PL/DMPL to get the superlative, right?
True. The careful wording combined with returns allows them to keep a high feedback rating. I'm sure that the coin is semi-pl and may even be a one-sided dmpl. However, the photo certainly makes it look like both sides are dmpl.
One more, and this one doesn't even specify which side. "1882 S MORGAN PCGS MS64! ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS COIN! ULTRA DMPL/PL MONSTER MIRRORS" Sold for 178.15...not a ton, but still about 2.5x - 3x what a coin with the same grade and label would usually bring.
Posted this one while auction was still going a few days ago. Final sale price was a cool $600 for a MS66* 80-S thanks to these pictures and "looks like a 68 DCAM" in title: http://www.ebay.com/itm/MORGAN-DOLL...pCFmi7EnAUG466dk6s0zc%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
Indeed. There certainly are many fine and reliable sellers, but it also should be noted that a lenient return policy is in no way indicative of a decent or remotely trustworthy seller. It's not a coincidence that some of the biggest dreck peddlers on the bay also just happen to have great return policies. Such sellers are not doing it to give added convenience to their customers, but do so as a form of self-preservation.
That's true. I wasn't trying to imply that a return policy indicated a good seller. What I meant is that even with many bad sellers, one won't get stuck with the item. Ebay tends to be very kind to buyers, so buying from a bad seller isn't as big a risk as some think. Note: I also don't want it to look like I'm advocating buying anything and always falling back on a return policy. It is best to learn what is acceptable to you and figure out which auctions to avoid. We all make mistakes, but the ones that learn (from the mistakes, from research, from the experiences of others) will be fine.
You may be right if not already slabbed, but this one was already in a PCGS holder. I restrict my PL/DMPL purchases to those because I know the TPGs can get picky. It is DMPL I can assure you. Forgot, professionally photographed by the Variety Slabbing Service, who has no stake in the game other than to provide high quality images of pre-slabbed coins.
I believe you that it's DMPL and I like your picture. What I meant is that if you used the photography style of the seller that we are discussing (for your already slabbed coin), I would guess you could get higher bids in an auction setting (although that could also lead to a higher likelihood for a return).
My apologies if the post read as if I thought you had implied so. My only intent was to add to your post, and mostly for the sake of both posterity and those new to this hobby who all too often seem to equate generous return policies with seller quality.