Another morgan toner: Guess the grade!

That's a 66? I know they sometimes make allowances, but a 66??? Don't get me wrong, it's a very nice coin, lol, but a 66?

Phoenix

 

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I still like it. I can see MS 66 as well. One thing is for sure that coin will not be cracked out and re submitted though.

 

Boy - extremely glad I stayed away from this one. Still nice coin.

 

This provides an interesting lesson in how the grading services grade different dates differently. Now the 1899-O is a common date, and being known to be weakly struck, NGC overlooked the strike and graded the coin MS-66 based on its mark free surfaces.

However, if this was a key or semi key date coin with significant price spread between 64 and 65, the TPGs would use the strike as a grade limiter and almost certainly grade the coin 64.

 

I'm quite serious. I can see the fine lines the fingerprint imprinted upon it still.

 

When I looked at it ~ the first thing I thought was there was a finger print there and someone did something to the coin to try and distort/remove the print. It does not look like a natural print impression as it is shown.

I agree with Doug that it is distracting as it looks intentional (regardless if it is or not). I would not have guessed as high due to that area - but then again I know little about grading so my opinion is just a stab in the dark. Thanks for sharing though - something to be learned there.

Best Regards

Darryl

 

I find the mark behind the cap most distracting.
I would have guessed it to be a 65.
Congrats, nice coin DJ.

 

Ms 65

 

roto:
If the mark is so distracting, why would you have graded it MS-65?

Personally, I really like toned coins.

 

greetings and a belated happy birthday DJ!
i really wasn't sure i should comment. there are already 30 and this is exactly why grading is so subjective. i too, believe it has clean fields and a nice tone. some interesting hues.
my reservations are also due to what GDSMP has pointed out as well as the weakness of strike. even for a new orleans' mint coin , there are examples w/ a better strike (source being david bowers' buyers guide) and can be found w/ breast feathers and a lttle more hair detail.
i will say that it is a wonderful coin and absolutely a great present! i will not assign a numerical grade as we have seen how different it can be. i can say that if i worked for ngc, i could not assign a 66 grade.
once again...happy late b'day and beautiful coin..congratulations and best wishes,
steve

 

I guessed it as a nice 65. Very nice present Dan!!

 

Maybe some1 can explain this to me...
I know a weak strike and toning aren't deducted from a coin's grade, but if that is a fingerprint, should it be AU? Also, that scratch to the lower right of the coin is obvious, what could have caused that damage and still have the coin classified MS? Because MS stands for Mint State, so you think there would be a high level of preservation. If a coin passed from one hand to another without receiving any wear, would it still be classified as MS? I'm new to coin grading, and just pondering.

Kicks

P.S. Great gift, DJ.

 

A coin can be ms and have a finger print. To me it is distracting on some coins, but not on others. A finger print can reduce the grade on a coin. Maybe from being a 65 to a 64. I have seen plenty of lincolns with finger prints graded ms and if they did not have the finger print they would probably have been 1 point higher.

Second if a coin is handled properly when passed from hand to hand it will not receive wear and will still be classified as MS. That is why you handle them by the edges.

To me that is not a scratch on this Morgan, just a heavy bag mark. It is also not distracting like a bag mark on the cheek on a morgan. I can see why someone would say it is a finger print and I am not sure.

Just my opinions and I have only been at this for 5 or 6 years. These weak strike coins are toughies to learn off of, so wait for a real expert.

 

I think according to some standards, a coin can have a fingerprint, and still grade MS-65. But, it needs to have some other factors, like the luster, strike, number of marks, etc. But normally if I remember right, a fingerprint won't keep a coin from a Gem grade. But, I could be wrong.

Phoenix

 

Thanks for the comments and birthday wishes guys...

GDJMSP: If you were to see it in hand you'd see that they are not scratches, just breaks in the toning. The oil from the fingerprint(s) just kept parts of it from toning. Those areas are not scratched or scraped, they just didn't tone like the surrounding areas.

Technically, any coin that is ever touched is circulated. But coins are only graded as AU if they show wear.

 

I have seen many MS65 and MS66 coins with fingerprint on it...

 

I should have quoted or worded that differently.
My meaning was that the mark I pointed out was more distracting to me than the other mark that was being discussed.

:desk:

 

Looks like someone tried to remove the toning by rubbing it. Am I missing something here? I am probably just getting old.