The designation “high grade,” popular on eBay for raw coins, often means “I don’t know how to grade.”
Here’s some examples on the Sheldon 1-70 scale.
The 1886-S Morgan below is at best Very Fine 35, details, dipped/cleaned. A candidate for an album filler, and worth about $50.
The 1886-O is a condition rarity. That means it is common in lower grades and scarce in higher ones. These are coins likely to get the “high grade” comment from a seller.
Below is a 1897-O, another condition rarity. It is not a key date in the Morgan series. The seller states “hi [sic] grade” and “rare.” This coin is very low on the Sheldon scale, Very Good 8, possibly dipped, and worth a $45 bid, silver melt.
Here is another 1897-O from a different seller, coming in at Very Fine 35, possibly dipped, and worth a $50 bid.
A few important considerations now:
- Learn how to grade. This article describes the basics.
- If you don’t know how to grade, do not bid on or buy raw coins, especially Morgan dollars, which have an array of condition rarities, melted years, and hoards. See this article to understand values of Morgan dollars.
- Never believe what the seller states on eBay or even the flip. They typically inflate grades and do not mention flaws.
- Learn common flaws on raw coins. Here is an article.
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You can find more information about types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.
