help me grade a coin... should I get it graded (1880-P morgan)

[soldierman]

I told my wife to find me a nice 1880-1881 S mint ms 64-65 PL coin. I told her that PL coins from the San Fancisco mint of those years were pretty common and that anything other than a PCGS or NGC holder could be knocked down 2-3 points or more. So not to pay more than what was listed as maybe a MS-66 Raw to only bid in the MS-63 range.

Well she found a nice coin one night and had only seconds to bid... later she went back to look it again and found it had no mint mark. This was going to be a christmas present but after her mistake she had to ask me. "What should I do?" Well I had told her make sure they will allow returns and have 95%+ feedback and such.

The coin got here a few days later and was in fact the one pictured I thought about sending it back but not for long.

 

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[stoney56]

Here's a PCGS guide on the Morgans. I'd guess from your pic that it's an MS63.

http://pcgs.com/prices/frame.chtml?type=date&filename=morgan_regular


But at least she tried to get you what you wanted--that's gotta count for something.


The 1880 Morgan Silver Dollar is readily obtainable in Mint State, but Gems are somewhat scarce. The most common Uncirculated grade is MS-63, followed by MS-64. The finest examples graded by PCGS are 34 MS-66s, are 2 MS-66 Prooflikes, and a single MS-66 Deep Mirror Prooflike. Varieties include 8/7 overdates which show a 7 beneath the second 8 of the date. The finest "8/7" examples graded by PCGS are 4 MS-65's and a single MS-64 Prooflike.

Proofs of this date are among the most plentiful in the series, due in large part to one of the highest Proof mintages of any date. The finest Proofs graded by PCGS are 4 PR-68's! The finest Proof Cameos graded by PCGS are 2 PRCA-68's.

 

[PBK]

Beautiful coin, but probably not worth submitting for professional evaluation. An MS-63 1880 [P] Morgan lists for $65 in the latest issue of Coin World's Coin Values. You'd have to spend nearly half that much to get it graded & certified.

 

[soldierman]

Does it not have enough mirror to get PL? I Showed it to a dealer he to a quick look and said "ms-64"

 

[djui5]

I think it would be worth grading. That's a killer looking coin, and it's hard to say what it will be graded at by looking at pictures. Personally, I'd send it off to PCGS. I mean, what if you got a DM grading.

Man would I love to have a coin like that Sure is pretty.

 

[gregl01]

She's a beauty!!! I would also say MS63-4, its hard to tell how bad the bag marks are. I have an 1880-S in similar condition which also has bag marks-peculiar. The mirrors may help the overall appearance some though. Nice coin for sure.Good luck
Greg

 

[SteveDodds]

I would send that coin in. On the picture there is a mark above the second eight on the date. It is hard to say from the pic but you might have a nice example of a die variety. I know the 1880 philly morgans had a lot of different types of varieties that are all worth a lot more than their regular counterparts.

 

[nc-joe]

Looks as if it may go MS64 or 65 DMPL, but be careful, if it has been cleaned, it will come back in a body bag. I suggest you use a less expensive, but reputible company such as ICG or NTC to get a "base grade" Then if you want, you can submit it to PCGS or NGT for an "upgrade" only grading service.

It will cost a little more, but 2 things, if it passes the cleaning/authenticity tests at either of the lower cost companies, then it should pass the higher cost companies. But as many know, more people buy the "slab" brand over the coin inside. So changing to the other companies will increase the value by atleast the grading fees combined.