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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Lehigh96, post: 503191, member: 15309&quot;]Most collectors are aware that NGC uses the star designation to identify coins with exceptional eye appeal within the assigned grade.&nbsp; Some collectors mistake the star designation for a PQ (Premium Quality) coin.&nbsp; I imagine that most collectors identify NGC star coins with fantastic rainbow toned coins like those found in the famous Battle Creek Collection.&nbsp; The coins shown below are all Battle Creek Morgan Dollars and each coin was awarded the star designation for exceptional eye appeal by NGC.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/Morgan%20Dollars/BatteCreekBasketballTeam.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>For those of you who have never seen an NGC star coin holder, here is your chance.&nbsp; This coin is the coin at the bottom right of the photo above.&nbsp; It is an 1885 BC Morgan Dollar NGC MS65 Star.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/Morgan%20Dollars/MorganDollar1885NGCMS65StarBattl-5.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>And while these coins are certainly deserving of the star designation as their eye appeal is unquestionalbe, few collectors are aware of the other star designation.&nbsp; The star designation is not used exclusively for toned coins.&nbsp; Here are the guidelines for an untoned coin to qualify for the star designation (From NGC&#039;s website):</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><ul> <li>Display cameo or ultra cameo contrast on the obverse only.</li> </ul><p><br /></p><ul> <li>Display cameo contrast on both the obverse and reverse falling just short&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; of NGC&#039;s minimum standard for cameo designation may receive a star. (Coins&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; that display only a subtle contrast will not receive a star or a cameo designation.)</li> </ul><p><br /></p><ul> <li>Qualify for the cameo designation and, in addition, have an ultra cameo&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; obverse.</li> </ul><p><br /></p><ul> <li>Qualify for the ultra cameo designation and, in addition, exhibit exceptionally&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; intense contrast between devices and fields on both the obverse and reverse&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; that exceeds by a generous margin that of the normal ultra cameo standard.</li> </ul><p>These standards apply to proof coinage that has cameo contrast between the fields and devices.&nbsp; I am sure we have all seen a proof coin with a strong CAMEO on the obverse but the reverse falls short on the reverse.&nbsp; But did you know that NGC will also apply these standards for the star designation to mint state coins with regards to proof-like and deep mirror proof-like qualities.&nbsp; Below is an 1880-S NGC MS65* Morgan Dollar with a fully proof-like obverse and a brilliant reverse.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/Morgan%20Dollars/050508001-2.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/Morgan%20Dollars/050508002-2.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Proof-like and DMPL Morgans are very beautiful and well worth the premiums they drive in the marketplace.&nbsp; However, it is very difficult to appreciate their beauty from a photo graph as the mirrored fields tend to magnify every little abrasion.&nbsp; This photo does a very good job of providing a flattering image of the proof-like surfaces.&nbsp; Look at the refection of the camera which was over 6 inches away from the surface of the coin.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o59/ACPitBoss/Morgan%20Dollars/MorganDollar1881-SNGCMS65Star562-6.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>The mirrors are so deep that it is hard to believe that the coin is not a proof until you flip it over.&nbsp; This is one of my favorite Morgan Dollars in my collection which is telling in its own right.&nbsp; So if you like proof-like Morgan Dollars, be on the lookout for the &quot;OTHER&quot; NCG STAR coins.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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