1889 CC Morgan Dollar Authentication: I Tested 7 Methods & Found What Actually Works

My 1889 CC Morgan Journey: Testing 7 Methods Side-by-Side

When my grandfather’s old coin collection landed on my kitchen table, one piece stood out: an 1889 CC Morgan Silver Dollar. What followed was three months of detective work – testing every authentication trick I could find. Today I’ll show you exactly which methods worked (and which failed) for this famously faked coin. No jargon, just real results from my comparison tests.

Why This Coin Kept Me Up at Night

Holding my grandfather’s 1889 CC Morgan, I needed answers to three burning questions:

• Real or Fake? (Carson City coins are counterfeit heaven)
• Original Surfaces? (Had someone “helped” its appearance?)
• Grade Potential? (Would professionals tag it with “cleaned”?)

My 7-Step Coin Authentication Face-off

1. The Eyeball Test (Where Most Start)

What I Did: Magnifying glass in hand, I hunted for:
– Telltale CC placement
– Natural wear patterns
– Suspicious scratches

Reality Check: Free and fast, but left me guessing about cleaning

2. VAM Analysis (The Mint Mark Whisperer)

My Process: Spent nights matching my coin to VAM 5 traits:

“Right ‘C’ sits lower than the left – just like the books show for genuine VAM 5s”

Lightbulb Moment: Finally felt confident about the mint mark’s authenticity

3. Lighting Showdown

Three lighting setups revealed different stories:

• Kitchen Light: Made my coin look innocent
• LED Angle Attack: Exposed hidden hairlines
• Sunlight Surprise: Showed environmental scars

Winner: 45-degree lighting became my go-to detective tool

4. PCGS Face-off

“My kitchen table became a coin lab as I matched every detail to PCGS CoinFacts references (that 1889-CC page got bookmarked fast)”

Truth Serum: Great for spotting surface differences vs untouched coins

5. The Opinion Carousel

23 collectors gave me:

• 18 thumbs-up for authenticity
• 15 cleaning suspicions
• Grade guesses all over the map

Lesson Learned: Helpful for sanity checks, terrible for final calls

6. The Grading Gauntlet

PCGS submission breakdown:

• Tier choice: Regular ($150 – Modern wouldn’t cut it)
• Wait: 10 nail-biting days
• Shipping: Insured like Fort Knox

Final Verdict: Genuine 1889 CC Morgan – AU Details (Cleaned)

7. Was Grading Worth It?

Costs:
– Grading: $150
– Shipping: $85
Wins:
– Absolute certainty
– Heirloom protection
– Value tripled overnight

My Authenticity Effectiveness Ranking

After months of testing:

• 1. Professional Grading (10/10)
  Non-negotiable for CC Morgans
• 2. VAM Analysis (9/10)
  Your best DIY authenticity weapon
• 3. Angled Lighting (7.5/10)
  Catch cleaning before the pros do

What I’ll Do Next Time (Save Yourself Months)

• Start with VAMs – stops fakes dead in their tracks
• Lighting Triangulation – three angles beat one
• Grade Despite Details – slabbed CC coins sleep easier in safes

The Final Chapter: Why I’d Do It Again

When PCGS confirmed the cleaning, I still celebrated because:

1. Authenticity beats perfection for family treasures
2. That plastic capsule preserves Grandpa’s story
3. Even “cleaned” CC Morgans command serious respect

Total cost: $235. Total value jump: 300%. Peace of mind: Priceless. The grading slab now displays with Grandpa’s photo – proof that smart verification protects both value and history.

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