Noob needs help grading - 11 examples provided

Okay here goes, old guy chasing childhood passion here and totally out of touch with the coin collection thing now as regards grading coins. I hope I have some challeging questions for you superstars regarding a few of my hoard below:

1. 1985 O Morgan - This one should be fairly simple for you guys:



Has some nice frosty to it, no toning and to my way of thinking not much in the way of scratching so should be in the MS60 to MS64 range is my guess?? Which one do you guys think or let me know why should it be less.


2. 1987 Morgan



Has rainbow hues to it. I have seen the term toning and don't know if this is it or if toning is the tarnish (blackish) that silver gets with oxidation. I find this pleasant but do not know if it is a good thing or a bad thing? Again your view on rating is important.

3. 1984 O Morgan



This example is here to help me learn about how accidental scratches and nicks affect grading. Notice the shallow gouge on the nose. What grade with the gouge and then without the gouge?

4. 1886 Seated Liberty Dime



This one is to see how purposeful damage affects the grading. Notice the gouge at the top (obv) and on the rim. I imagine this was mounted somehow probably like a necklace. What grade with the damage and then without the damage?

5. 1911 Barber Dime



This one is to see how to grade smaller silver coins that are probably more prone to wear and damage, does that give the coin more leway in grading? What grade is this one and what wear would I look for on these dimes for higher/lower grading?

6. 1912 Liberty Nickel x 2



This would help me make a nice comparative study for both the obv and rev and how average grades are worked out. The coin on the left has similar wear to the one on the right except for the rust(?) and copper tarnish(?). What is the compative grade of just the obv and rev for both of these coins. How about the overall grade for both? and Finally what if the Obv and rev were switched alternately?

continued....

 

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7. 1869 3 Cent



This coin looks good from all I can see but it has this tan/brown toning on it. What is the grade for this and how does the toning affect it?

8. 1798 Draped Bust Large Cent



This one is really difficult for me to get my head around. The obv is quite warn but all details visible (cant see the date in this picture as good as when u can eyeball the coin) and the rev has very good detail on most of it. It also has an edge knock. Too many variables for my pea sized brain!

9. 1863 Bronze Indian Head Penny



This one is extremely good except for about 1/8 of the edge at the 12 to the 2 o'clock position. What would the grade be with the wear and what would it be without?

10. 1846 Braided Liberty Head Penny



This I know is bad (worst condition coin I have) but how bad is it, does it even rate a good? Again does age give any leeway?

11. 1901 Copper Indian Head



Cant find much wrong with this one. Seems similar to the 1885 morgan in quality. Has lotsa red luster (is that the correct term?). What is the grade as is and what would it be without the luster?

Thanx in advance for any help. I'm sorry for the epic nature of this post but I just have so many questions!!!!!!!

Daz

 

Wow, quite the post indeed...

1. Hard to tell from the photo, but the coin does appear to have some toning which has dulled the lustre of the coin. I would have to see it in person, or see a better photo, but based on this photo I would assign it a MS63 grade. In person it may in fact grade an MS64 based on lustre and eye appeal - which are hard to judge from photos. In terms of surface preservation, the coin looks good. In terms of strike for this date/mint.

2. XF

3. AU cleaned.

4. Looks like AU and both cleaned and damaged. Hard to assign it a net grade.

5. F, would be VF if Liberty and the band were cleared and the bottom row of leaves more defined.

6. I would go VF20 on the liberty head nickel on the left. As for the one on the right, the grade is probably F without the damage/corrosion. With it, you are talking a low "net" grade.

Will get the rest later ;-)

 

Now, If I were an eBay seller I'd grade them.

1. MS-69
2. MS-69
3. MS-68
4. MS-65
5. XF
6A. XF
6B. Fine
7. Fine
8. Good
9. XF-AU
10. Good
11. AU

 

Thanx 4 all 3 of the replies. 2 for being informative and 1 for being great for a laugh!!!!!

Daz