Thank you for the tutorial. It helps us novices understand the difference between the AU grades. What was hard to see, I'm guessing because of the lighting, was the actual luster differences of the coins in the different grades.
Really appreciate today’s lesson. I feel pretty comfortable with UNC grading but I’ve always struggled with the AU’s because the differences are so subtle. This was really helpful for me. Thanks!
Thanks Ben. These small tutorials are in my opinion indispensable for those of us who are wanting to understand and learn about grading. They can only serve us to become more savvy when it comes to cherrypicking. Thanks again.
Great video...on importance of lustre in the old Morgan dollars, and difference between AU and UNC. From the 2021 Morgan videos I have seen on YT so far, the lustre on them is very subdued ...Hope you can get ahold of a couple and do a video comparing lustre between the old and new Morgans. After seeing the new ones, the old Morgans are more lusterous and more eye appeal. Would love to hear your opinion on that comparison.
Very informative video! I always have had a hard time grading Morgans. When I pick up AU or BU coins I tend to set them aside to look at again later. I have flagged just a few to send in for grading.
I would have assigned the 1889 a grade of EF-40 at best, as it exhibits far too much wear and circulation marks to be in the Almost Uncirculated category. Since the grading services and most dealers have adopted less conservative grading standards over the last 25 years - what many have termed “gradeflation” in the hobby - I think all of these examples are very optimistically graded by Ben, but what do I know with 60-plus years in the industry ?
@@rogerkinard7446 One can only go by the grading standards of the day. Yes they have laxed a bit. This is why the old anacs holders often grade up today. Essentially I try to go by what I think pcgs/ngc will grade a coin.
Thanks guys-‘good points. Yes this is with gradeflation- but I think it’s to market , by my eye. Someone else pointed out they should get rid of 45 because too many 50’s and 45’s look the same- by all the coins I’ve seen slabbed- I’d agree. Thanks again
@@TheCoinGeek I see the difference between 40 and 45 and 50. It would be strange for XF to have only one level while VF has 4 and AU has 4. Maybe instead of VF running from 20 to 35, it should run from 20 to 30. XF from 35 to 45, and AU from 50 to 58, just to balance things out a little.
Rick Snow, the Indian and Flying Eagle cent expert, pointed out that AU50 and XF40 are "bottom of the barrel" grades. They tend to be unappealing. However, AU58 and XF45 coins tend to be attractive.
@@TheCoinGeek Snow said specifically that an XF45 is better in terms of eye appeal than an AU50, though the price guide won't reflect that. Therefore an astute buyer might choose the more attractive XF45 if he can get it for a lower price. A 50 would still have slightly less wear and slightly more luster as compared to a 45.
IMO AU50 needs to be removed. There's too much overlap with XF45, and for certain coins (1892-S Morgan) the price can jump $1000 between the grades, and it seems like a coin flip grade. 4 AU grades seem like overkill. Below average AU should be 53, average 55, and above average 58.
Stars in a field of darkness...sign of the times...Ben the prophet ...
Great video, continue to be impressed with how you can put the loop in front of the camera so we can see the details!
Thank you for the tutorial. It helps us novices understand the difference between the AU grades. What was hard to see, I'm guessing because of the lighting, was the actual luster differences of the coins in the different grades.
I love that you take the time to explain things to the masses that you already. To me it just shows that you care. Thanks Ben
I liked this video. I was a little hazy on au grades and now I understand a little better thank you
Nice continuation of the tutorial. Thanks, Ben.
Really appreciate today’s lesson. I feel pretty comfortable with UNC grading but I’ve always struggled with the AU’s because the differences are so subtle. This was really helpful for me. Thanks!
Great video. One of the best I’ve seen on RUclips.
Thanks Ben. These small tutorials are in my opinion indispensable for those of us who are wanting to understand and learn about grading. They can only serve us to become more savvy when it comes to cherrypicking. Thanks again.
Great video...on importance of lustre in the old Morgan dollars, and difference between AU and UNC. From the 2021 Morgan videos I have seen on YT so far, the lustre on them
is very subdued ...Hope you can get ahold of a couple and do a video comparing lustre between the old and new Morgans. After seeing the new ones, the old Morgans are more
lusterous and more eye appeal. Would love to hear your opinion on that comparison.
Great tutorial btw. Thank you.👍
Very nice, concise, and informative video. Subscribed.
Awesome video, as always! But what about AU coins that have dark toning? You kind of imply that AU Morgan's need original luster. Is that true?
Very informative video! I always have had a hard time grading Morgans. When I pick up AU or BU coins I tend to set them aside to look at again later. I have flagged just a few to send in for grading.
Now this is a good video!!!
I would give the "au-50" 89 an XF-45 -- just a little too much wear for an AU-50. The others I agree with you on the grade.
I would have assigned the 1889 a grade of EF-40 at best, as it exhibits far too much wear and circulation marks to be in the Almost Uncirculated category. Since the grading services and most dealers have adopted less conservative grading standards over the last 25 years - what many have termed “gradeflation” in the hobby - I think all of these examples are very optimistically graded by Ben, but what do I know with 60-plus years in the industry ?
@@rogerkinard7446 One can only go by the grading standards of the day. Yes they have laxed a bit. This is why the old anacs holders often grade up today. Essentially I try to go by what I think pcgs/ngc will grade a coin.
Thanks guys-‘good points. Yes this is with gradeflation- but I think it’s to market , by my eye. Someone else pointed out they should get rid of 45 because too many 50’s and 45’s look the same- by all the coins I’ve seen slabbed- I’d agree. Thanks again
@@TheCoinGeek I see the difference between 40 and 45 and 50. It would be strange for XF to have only one level while VF has 4 and AU has 4. Maybe instead of VF running from 20 to 35, it should run from 20 to 30. XF from 35 to 45, and AU from 50 to 58, just to balance things out a little.
Lovely Morgan Dollars ❤💕❤😍😘😍
Rick Snow, the Indian and Flying Eagle cent expert, pointed out that AU50 and XF40 are "bottom of the barrel" grades. They tend to be unappealing. However, AU58 and XF45 coins tend to be attractive.
Just curious...what's his logic on XF45's being attractive, and AU50's not being unappealing ?? Thanks !!
I think he means within the grade itself- not compared to the grade above it. Jeff?
@@TheCoinGeek Snow said specifically that an XF45 is better in terms of eye appeal than an AU50, though the price guide won't reflect that. Therefore an astute buyer might choose the more attractive XF45 if he can get it for a lower price. A 50 would still have slightly less wear and slightly more luster as compared to a 45.
Great Job !
Have you ever gotten an AU coin regraded and it came back MS? I have an 1893 Morgan AU 55, and I don’t know if it’s worth “cracking out”
1900 morgan..nice! In the opc store?
So it sounds to me like luster carries more weight than detail as in breast feathers and wing tips being worn or did I get that wrong?
The tricky part is factoring strike - details left behind depends on your starting point - so to say “details left behind” is oversimplified
Nice video
Do you have any raw unc 1921S Morgans?
Me número uno. Glad to
IMO AU50 needs to be removed. There's too much overlap with XF45, and for certain coins (1892-S Morgan) the price can jump $1000 between the grades, and it seems like a coin flip grade. 4 AU grades seem like overkill. Below average AU should be 53, average 55, and above average 58.
I’ve argued for fewer grades too- I’ve seen many 45 and 50/ that look identical . Thanks
@@TheCoinGeek Oh good, I'm not crazy!
Ben to become an Ebay approved tpg....
Tpg?
@@repunched106 Third Party Grader, like NGC or PCGS
@@davidufford1328 thanks
As a noob it is pretty shocking to learn that coins are graded on light reflection. Wow.
Hello mr coin geek
Gooday!
I figured out coin collectors are just a little on the crazy side.
In my world… it’s a 70 or it’s just a wannabe.