Guess the Grade with a Twist: My Journey Grading Morgan Dollars

I recently took on a fun little challenge: trying to guess the grades of three Morgan Dollars—an 1881-CC, an 1895-S, and a 1921—all sharing the same PCGS grade. That twist really put my grading eye to the test and showed me some things I hadn’t considered before.

What I Noticed During the Grading Challenge

Looking closely at photos of these Morgans, I hunted for telltale signs of wear. The 1895-S jumped out immediately with heavy hits, especially that gouge on Liberty’s cheek—my first thought was MS-63 or lower. The 1881-CC and 1921 had their own issues, like rub marks on the eagle’s breast feathers. After comparing them side-by-side, MS-62 felt like the right call across the board. Here’s what sealed it for me:

• Each coin had enough marks and abrasions to rule out MS-63 or higher
• Their flaws were surprisingly similar—if one didn’t make the cut, neither did the others
• It drove home how tiny imperfections can swing a Morgan’s grade dramatically

The Human Element in Grading

This exercise reminded me that even professional graders have off days. With scarcer dates like the 1895-S, I’ve noticed they sometimes get “benefit of the doubt” that common dates don’t—whether it’s a grader having a soft spot for rare coins or market demand influencing decisions. That’s why I never treat slab grades as absolute truth anymore. Cross-check what’s in the holder against what you actually see on the coin.

Grading Advice From My Workbench

If you’re looking to sharpen your grading skills, here’s what’s worked for me over the years:

• Angle a strong light across surfaces to catch bag marks—focus on prime spots like the eagle’s breast
• Use TPG grades as a starting point, not the final word (especially for keys where grader bias can creep in)
• Cut your teeth on common-date coins—I practiced for months on Lincoln cents before touching Morgans
• Stay aware of how market hype might affect grading standards for popular series

My Own Grading Journey

Confession time: I initially pegged that 1895-S as MS-63! Getting it wrong was actually refreshing—it reminded me grading’s more art than science. Every misstep teaches you something new. What I love most is how this process trains your eye to appreciate details you’d otherwise miss. These days, I spot faint hairlines or soft strikes much quicker than when I started, and that progress feels incredibly rewarding. At the end of the day, becoming a better grader is half the fun of collecting.