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June 16, 2025
I recently tried something fun: a challenge where I examined three Morgan Dollars—an 1881-CC, an 1895-S, and a 1921—each graded the same by PCGS. My mission? To guess that grade. It turned out to be a real eye-opener about the subtleties of coin grading.
The Puzzle and My Initial Assessment
When I looked at each coin, I paid special attention to the areas that usually show wear. The 1895-S had a pretty obvious gouge on Liberty’s upper cheek, which made me question its grade. The other two showed light rubs on the eagles’ breasts, likely bag marks. My first thought was MS-63, but I hesitated because of these flaws. It really hit home how easy it is to miss small details that can make or break a grade.
Key Grading Tips I Picked Up
This challenge brought home a few practical tips for grading Morgans or any similar coins:
- Always check high-wear areas like the breast and face—even the smallest rubs or hits can drop a coin a full grade
- Remember the weakest coin in a group sets the tone—if one has a big flaw, it might hold back the whole set
- Trust what you see, but don’t get too cocky—grading is an art, not a science
Navigating Grading Inconsistencies
We all know grading services aren’t perfectly consistent. Sometimes coins that look about the same end up with very different grades. With the 1895-S in this set, I thought MS-62 was a tough call—it seemed graded too harshly. That got me thinking: could market pressures be influencing these decisions? As a buyer, I’ve learned to always take a second look at slabs and trust my own eyes to catch any potential problems.
The Reveal and What I Learned
Well, the grade was MS-62—I had guessed MS-63, so I was off. But I learned a lot. Grading isn’t just about how pretty a coin looks; it’s about knowing the specific things graders look for. That gouge on the 1895-S? It was a grade-killer. Now I’m even more eager to practice with challenges like this. They turn grading from a guessing game into a kind of detective work.
In the end, this twist on a classic challenge reminded me that coin collecting is always full of surprises. Whether you collect Morgans or something else, trying these challenges can train your eye and help you appreciate the hobby even more. So keep challenging yourself—it’s a great way to become a better collector!
