Is this 1902 Morgan undergraded?

Oops. My mistake, My bad. Got it.

That might even be a 63 hiding in there....lol.

 

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Kirk,
At the risk of opening the whole "market grading" can o' worms, in this present age where we find ourselves, Mint State grading is FAAAAAAR more than "state of preservation".

 

1902 is available with better luster than appears to be show in the photo. I also can't tell to what extent there are little marks all over the cheek. It looks like an attractive coin from the photo, and while it might be tempting for someone to think they can crack, dip, and upgrade, there's not much upside going only to 65. Hopefully it stays as is.

 

No, it is appropriately graded. Good surfaces, but not a huge amount of luster. It is also not a great strike. Could just as easily have graded 63, as I see it. Nice toning, but not to justify that price.

 

Not getting into the whole market grading debate either, but I really disagree with the practice. I have reluctantly accepted it as the hobby’s reality though.

 

That's fair enough. I know a lot of people who feel the same way. I decided to not fight it and get with the "MG" system. Kind of like the subtitle of "Doctor Strangelove".

 

I haven't put a lot of thought into the above talk (about luster limiting an otherwise gem to a 64) but I can say I've owned multiple low MS coins with amazing gem looking surfaces and limited/no luster and those are the exact types of coins I would like to never acquire again. For me luster is a must if I'm going to spend even 63 money on a coin and I'll opt for a 55 or 58 all day over lower MS with no luster.

edit: just reread my first sentence and apparently 40 seconds later I've now put enough thought in because I absolutely think lack of luster should keep otherwise gems at 64.

 

I agree with those not wanting to get into a grading debate but there is no way I would pay MS65 money for that 1884-O Morgan Dollar. IMHO it has very little "eye appeal".

 

Agreed, and if the TrueView image is making this coin look better than it actually is, then I’d hate to see what it looks like in hand. I think the TV image is being honest, though.