I would say the obverse is an MS63. There are a few too many little nicks to bring it to 64, IMO. This is a nicer strike in the hairlines than I have seen on a lot of New Orleans Morgans, though.
let me throw my 2 cents in.... I would grade that obverse, by looking at the scan.. as MS62. Too many little marks for me to call 63, especially when you blow it up. I agree with Susan...a great strike
New Orlean Morgan strikes had the least attention to detail. Many Morgan collectors can simply look at the obverse of a MS type Morgan and pretty much tell which mint struck it. San Francisco had the best strikes and changed out the dies more frequently than the workers in New Orleans. Actually, many books on Morgans state that quality control in New Orleans was frankly, poor! The coin in question does have more than its share of nicks and marks to grade out at MS64. This should grade no higher than a 63. Many may grade it a 62 depending how the reverse looks.
I believe it to be a ms62 at best. Nicks are all over. i think if nicks were limited to the fields and devices were clear or vice versa than yeah,,,absolutely an ms63 but as is....a 62. Is a nice coin though. I have bought tons of mint state 80 O's on line,,with doctored or substandard photo's that turn out to be sliders at best. I do agree that this one is an earlier die state showing a crisper, above average strike from the o-mint. This is one year and mint that you will want very good photo's before purchaseing on-line but looks like you have a nice, solid, no problem mint state morgan there.
