Grading question

So I am placing my Morgan dollars in some decent hardcase holders grading and approximate value.I come across a 1899-O hardly no bag marks nice luster I am going 64 stretch to a 65 maybe?One problem a dink in the right leg otherwise a really nice specimen,what's the drop 62?even more?

 

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Honestly, the only way for us to give you a good idea would be to post photos of the coin.

 

some pic not the best.....

 

and I am trying some more pics

 

Went out to the wood/model shop out back changed the background and lighting I think they are good enough to see?

 

That hit on the leg looks pretty bad, but it's hard to tell in the photos. The coin looks to be MS and is fairly clean. It's hard to tell how bad that ding is...but if it's bad enough the coin may not be gradable at all. I would say it at least knocks it down a couple points.

 

It's a good dink did not notice it in the auction pics.I have come to the conclusion not worth slabbing has to fetch $100+ for me to start thinking of slabbing + what I paid.

Thks for the input

 

I don't think it's worth having it slabbed. I would think with that mark it's a MS62 at best and it might come back in a "details" slab. Others might have a different opinion but I think minus that mark the coin could be a MS64. It's a very nice looking coin.

Also of note, most people will say how nice the strike is for a O mint Morgan...the 1899-O is typically a well struck coin.

 

That mark is semi-hidden in the leg feathers.
Assuming that's the ONLY problem that mark is well within the definition of MS-64 and maybe even MS-65.
Another factor is that it's on the reverse and the obverse is generally more than 50% of the grade.

 

I concur. If the rest of the coin is deserving of a 65, I don't believe the one mark will hold it back. If the coin is borderline at the proposed grade (whatever that be), it probably would. If I couldn't decide between 64 and 65 based on the obverse, I'd call it 64 for that mark; it's like that.

 

CamaroDMD, posted: "That hit on the leg looks pretty bad, but it's hard to tell in the photos. The coin looks to be MS and is fairly clean. It's hard to tell how bad that ding is...but if it's bad enough the coin may not be gradable at all. I would say it at least knocks it down a couple points."

I disagree with everything posted above about the "ding" on the leg.

 

Good for you. It's hard to tell how bad it is in the photos. But if it's as bad as I suspect it is...it may render the coin not gradable.

 

I'll bet that leg could easily be repaired. I'll bet somebody like Daniel Carr could do it in a jiffy. Now please, don't tell me that's deceptive. That coin is a gem, or pretty close to it. Any metal engraver could figure out how to restore that leg and give that grade justice. Think of the coin like a crime victim, maybe you'll feel better about it.

 

I appreciate all the input fellas it's a good dink but I feel hard press that it would make it a useless coin.I do feel it might warrant a point drop just make you wonder how in the heck did it happen?She is such a beauty I have another with a strike across the breast of the eagle though shallower and another 63/65 coin.After the holidays I will visit my local coin shop and get his impression.Thks again

Morgandude any thoughts out there?

 

I'm stubbornly trying to help you out here. That coin could have three more hits exactly the same size and depth ANYWHERE on the coin including the center of the cheek (but not together) and still be STRAiGHT GRADED by any of the four major TPGS.

The ONLY thing that MIGHT call for a details grade (Damaged) is if all four of the hits in my example were very close together, especially in an open area. Look up the description of a coin grading MS-60 or 61 in the ANA Grading Guide.

 

It's not so much the size of the gouge that's relevant - although that's obviously important - as it is the judgement of the TPG as to what caused it. If they attribute it to something which might normally happen during the usual course of striking and shipping the coin, it would be far better than if they determine an otherwise nice Mint State coin suffered some mishandling accident after leaving the Mint. These images aren't up to offering clear evidence either way, so the question exists and pretty much every answer is a guess.

 

@KevinM

SuperDave cannot see my post but from what I have picked up in grading classes he is basically correct.

SD said: "It's not so much the size of the gouge that's relevant - although that's obviously important - as it is the judgement of the TPG as to what caused it."

Except in rare cases, TPG's do not take any time at all deciding what caused the contact marks (major to minor damage) to a coin. All they care about is eye-appeal and how the marks affect it. Therefore, the size, severity, number and location of the marks is their only consideration.

"If they attribute it to something which might normally happen during the usual course of striking and shipping the coin, it would be far better than if they determine an otherwise nice Mint State coin suffered some mishandling accident after leaving the Mint."

In some cases, marks can be attributed to actual damage done on purpose "by the hand of man." In other cases, when warranted by their severity, they are called "damage" and the coin is given a "details" grade.

Studying coins already graded in slabs is the quickest way to learn "the ropes" with regard to marks or damage.

 

My photo ability's have always seem somewhat limited but I hope to drop another coin in the thread one I thought might be a hidden treasure in the auction I P/U for $90.

 

Here we have a 1879-O with some color though not what everybody would probably want.The strike looks really good and in MS state maybe 62-64 tops!What are ya'lls impression?Did I do OK with one?

 

Last time I checked, the TPGs don't use the ANA standards when they grade. Pontificate on... please