1884-O Morgan Dollar

Is it the spotty nature of the toning that lends itself to an old cleaning? Sorry, I'm just trying to learn more about silver. Thanks.

I hear what you're saying, but this toning wasn't painted on. My brother-in-law got these from his Grandfather back when he was about 10 years old, or 1990. I just spoke to him to get alittle more information, and he remembers them being silver with your standard white luster. He doesn't recall them being toned with any color when he was a child. They've literally been in a case inside of tupperware for the past 20+ years in a garage.

From what I've gathered, if they were cleaned, then it must have been before he received them in 1990. He also told me that while he did cloth polish a few of his Morgans, he doesn't believe that he did that to these two coins.

I hope this information is of some help. And thank you for all of the comments and input that we've received so far. It is much appreciated.

Yes, I definitely see this halo effect on the 84. No doubt this was cleaned at some point long ago. The 81 doesn't have this effect, although I'm assuming the pullaway you're referring to is that slight gap in toning around the 8's and some stars at the southern part of the coin? This indicated an old cleaning as well? Thanks again.

Yes that is pullaway and NO it does not indicate a cleaning, juse the oposite actually. Pullaway ia a good thing on toned coins as coin doctors cannot fake it so when seen on a coin with toning it I dictates that the toning is genuine (at leat in the areas where it is present). On the 81 the obverse dosent really scream old cleaning aside from the color but that's not a nail in its coffin per se, but look at the reverse, the fields around the eagle, see that halo effect again. That coin probably had nice genuine toning that was dip cleaned off in the 1950's or 60's which is why it has remnants of pullaway.

Interesting... but this is why I don't mess with silver too much. It's much easier for me to look at copper and tell if it's been cleaned/altered than silver.

I appreciate all of the information and with helping me learn something new. I'll pass this info along to my brother-in-law as well. Thanks again.

Oh, OK. That one shows a little bit of pullaway at the date and a few stars, but it doesn't explain all the color either on it or this one. This certainly isn't bag toning, that's for sure.

Cascade, we know they've been together since 1990 in the same ring box. We assume since they were passed down from my brother-in-law's Grandfather, that they have been together for a much longer period of time. He's not sure when his Grandfather would have acquired them though.

Thanks for this link. Yes, that makes sense and it probably what happened. Thank you again.