Why I Turned Down A Morgan Dollar At The Bank......

So this happened this afternoon. A customer brought up what appeared to be an 1884 Morgan dollar and asked what she could do with it. My response was that she could do one of two things: I could either give her a dollar for it (since we are tellers, not coin or precious metals dealers, we can only deal in face value), or she could take it to a coin shop and get something closer to at least its silver value.

I then looked at it a little more closely. The details didn't seem too weird, and its coloring was that of a dirty old circulated Morgan. However, its weight seemed somewhat (but not definitively) lighter compared with the 1883-O I carry for a pocket piece, and the ring it made when she plopped it down seemed higher pitched than I would expect (however, that portion of the counter is granite, so that may have had an effect on it). Then I looked at the edge. In some places the reeding looked normal. In others it was missing. In still others, it had what looked like diagonal V or W shaped markings in addition to regular vertical reeding. I didn't notice any casting lines.

Unfortunately, I was not able to get a picture of the coin. I sent the customer on her way with it.

Hopefully this is not a moment for me. Did I encounter my first counterfeit Morgan? I did indicate to her that it could potentially be fake and she would be wise to take it to a knowledgeable coin dealer for a more educated opinion. I hope she took this advice.