Many years ago (maybe 18-25), common-date Morgan silver dollars in high Mint State conditions dazzled numismatists with their splendor. In MS-67, a Morgan dollar back in the day blazed with luster, sometimes displayed totally white surfaces and sometimes emitted gorgeous color combinations or light, sexy diffused tints, and always appeared virtually mark-free, with Miss Liberty’s cheek ultra clean.

Grading standards evolved through the years, often descending into a downward spiral. Many MS-67 Morgans in recent times look like what used to qualify as MS-66 or even MS-65, in days gone by.

It is refreshing to see an example like the 1882-S silver dollar offered here, in its old green PCGS holder, because it serves as a reminder of what standards were like when professional graders strived to maintain a strict system. The surfaces on this beautiful specimen beam with a warm radiant luster, which is slightly veiled by the translucent amber tint. The strike is as bold as is usually seen on early 1800s San Francisco Mint silver dollars, and Miss Liberty’s cheek is puffy and abrasion-free.

If you would like to have a throwback to a nobler time in the history of professional coin grading standards, this piece will fill your desire.