Guess the Grade--1881-S Morgan Dollar NGC

Oh, I do listen to you, as you've justified your opinions pretty well in the past. Despite all the kidding, you are a very experienced coin collector and numismatic resource. I also trust MOST of the calls that NGC and PCGS make, so I take into consideration the expert opinion, AND my overall impressions of the coin. No matter what the posted grade or potential grade is, if I don't like, I don't buy.

 

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I think the only time I would ignore Doug's advice 100% is when I was shooting pool.

Chris

 

So, Paul, when are you going to reveal the grade?

Chris

 

Then you should consider yourself lucky! That is, unless you enjoy racking.

Chris

 

I bet if we talked about shooting pool and collecting coins at the bar, the women would just flock to us.

 

I'm the odd man out, went with 67. Clean, clean cheek. While there are a few hits on the obverse they appear to be very light (especially the ones right by the nose and mouth). The reverse is virtually flawless. Eagle's breast is a little weak for a '81-S, but that's about it. Luster looks booming. Very nice Morgan!

 

Care to give us your reasons for your MS64 grade?

 

4 years ago? 64.

Today? 65.

 

Ms-63

 

We like when U add anything:thumb:

 

Most of the other people gave reasons for their grade, you did not. I was simply trying to pick your brain prior to revealing the answer. I guess that "knowledge...share it" stuff is a bunch of bunk huh? If I didn't think that your opinion was valuable, I wouldn't make it a point to ask you. You seem to think I have some crusade against you. Nothing could be further from the truth. There have been many instances where I purposefully avoid conflict with you and I make it a point to publicly say when I agree with you. But our numismatic views are pretty much diametrically opposed so it is unavoidable that we are going to disagree from time to time. If you can't handle that, that is your problem, not mine. Now on with the grade.



Now I know that I have the added advantage of seeing the coin in hand, but to me the obverse surfaces merit an MS66 grade. The cheek is very clean, cleaner than most MS65's and the chatter in the fields is partly made of luster grazes. That said, the reverse luster is lackluster and certainly should preclude a premium gem grade. I don't know if it shows in the picture, but the difference in luster between the obverse and reverse is staggering. All in all, I think the coin is graded correctly at MS65.

 

This coin was graded in 2007. Seems your TPG loose/tight timeline is a little outta whack.

 

I went with 64 because of the marks on the obverse. I can see it getting a 65 in hand but not from the images.

 

I choose that the tpg gave it a 65. I think it is a 66. The reason I think that the tpg went under my grade is that 81s Morgans are famous for great strikes, so market grading giveth and market grading taketh away.