The Awaited 86′ GTG: My Journey with an 1886 Morgan Dollar

That 1886 Morgan silver dollar everyone’s been buzzing about? Well, I just had to jump into the grading conversation. As a long-time collector, I wanted to share my take on this coin’s details and what it says about our passion for collecting.

What I Noticed About This Morgan

When I held this coin under the loupe, a few things really stood out. It’s got that classic Morgan beauty, but like most of us who’ve been around, it shows its history. Here’s what grabbed my attention:

• A noticeable mark right on Liberty’s jawline that pops under magnification
• A scratch running across the eagle’s breast feathers on the reverse – catches the light in certain angles
• Those subtle rainbow tones kissing the rim that give it real personality

From handling countless Morgans over the years, these features are typical for circulated pieces, but they make all the difference when assigning a grade.

My Take on the Grade

This coin really got collectors talking, and I jumped right into the discussion. After looking it over, I’d put it at MS64. Here’s why: those marks on Liberty’s jaw and the eagle are just too noticeable for a gem grade, but the luster is still strong and there’s hardly any wear. I remember seeing coins like this where:

• MS64 examples often have isolated hits like these, making them perfect for mid-range collections
• True MS65 coins should be nearly flawless, and this one just doesn’t clear that bar

It reminds me of a PCGS MS65 Morgan I once saw with a huge gash in the field – I still scratch my head over that one. It just goes to show, you can’t always trust the label.

Some Advice From My Experience

This whole experience got me thinking about how we handle Morgans. Here’s some advice I’ve picked up along the way:

• Always check coins under good light – photos can hide scratches or marks that jump out in person
• Don’t dismiss toning – subtle rim colors like on this coin can add 10-20% for the right collector
• When buying slabbed coins, trust your eyes over the holder – even top services miss things sometimes

Take this 1886 Morgan: it shows how little things can change the value. The better you get at grading, the smarter your buys will be.

Final Reflections

All the excitement over this coin’s grade made me consider the bigger picture. Morgans from the 1880s never go out of style, and coins with special touches like toning can really pull in a premium. Looking back, I’m struck by how collecting isn’t just about the number on the slab – it’s the stories and the hunt that keep us hooked. We might not get a final answer on this one, but it’s reignited my love for chasing these silver beauties. Happy hunting, and here’s hoping your next Morgan is a stunner!