My Deep Dive into The Awaited ’86 GTG Morgan Grading Debate

I’ve always been fascinated by the little details that make Morgan dollar grading so interesting. Just last week, I got caught up in a spirited debate about an 1886 Morgan that really showed how subjective these calls can be. It got me thinking about sharing some observations that might help other collectors when facing similar questions.

What This ’86 Morgan Taught Me About Grading

Looking closely at this particular coin, a couple features stood out that really fueled the discussion. To my eye, that mark on Liberty’s jaw and the scratch across the eagle’s chest are too noticeable to justify a gem grade – they scream MS64 rather than MS65. Here’s what jumped out at me:

• Any mark on the jawline catches your eye immediately – it’s one of those spots that really hurts overall appearance
• Scratches in the open fields (like the one on the reverse) sometimes get downplayed more than they should – I’ve seen PCGS MS65 coins with similar issues that made me scratch my head
• While light rim toning adds character and draws collectors who love color, it doesn’t erase major flaws – it might make a coin more attractive to buy, but doesn’t change the technical grade

Why Toning Can Make a Coin Worth More

Over the years, I’ve noticed coins with pretty toning like this often sell for more than you’d expect, even when they aren’t top-grade. I recall auction results where light rim toning added 10-20% to the hammer price, especially catching the eye of collectors who value beauty over numbers. It’s a good reminder that the market doesn’t always follow the label – sometimes an attractive MS64 outshines a plain MS65.

Grading Coins from Photos: My Go-To Tips

Let’s be honest – grading from pictures is tough, but I’ve found a few approaches that help. Always insist on high-resolution images and zoom in on trouble spots like the fields and portraits. If something jumps out at you (like that eagle scratch), it’s probably a grade-killer. And trust that gut feeling – if a coin looks like a solid MS64 to you based on visible flaws, stick to your guns even if others see it differently.

Why the Waiting Game is Half the Fun

For me, the anticipation before getting a coin back from grading is part of the magic. Whether it comes back MS64 or MS65, the back-and-forth debate with fellow collectors is what sharpens our eyes. I try to remind myself to enjoy the ride – that excitement of not knowing is what keeps this hobby fresh after all these years!