Pics Of 1884 O/S Morgan

Hit John's website, he'll have contact information there. I don't know how often he visits CCF, so just email him a link to the thread if you like, or just send him the coin with a note regarding your thinking. His slabs are nicely labeled and his attributions are considered completely accurate. He's pretty good with Bust Halves, too.

My ears were burning.

There are several 1884-O that are partially filled mint marks, and this looks like one of those. First guess is VAM 33, but it's inconclusive from the picture you show. I'd have to see it in person, where I could also check out the obverse. It's possible you're looking too hard at the wrong thing on the coin to arrive at an attribution. I've often received coins someone has had trouble attributing where they describe some super minor feature like a crack or faint clash, but neglected to see the dramatically repunched date. If I had $6 for every one of those I see... oh, wait, I do. ;)

True story: I'm a committed coin photographer with a love of that aspect of the hobby. One of the most difficult tasks in coin photography is accurately depicting colorful toning on a coin - it usually requires special lighting and setup. A couple years ago at the FUN show in Florida, this guy walked up to the table to talk to Russ (twohawks here at CCF) about his Morgan toners. He pulled out this little Canon point-and-shoot and took a handheld pic of Russ' coin which was as good as anything I was capable of with bespoke equipment, in a brightly-lit room.

Freaked me out and humbled me.

That was how I met messydesk.

It's occurred to me since that the bright room lighting had the same effect on Russ' coin - as bright as it was - as directed axial lighting would. It was reflecting for all it was worth, and I remember your Canon to have been top-level, and Canon is best in class. Easy shot with the right equipment.

It stuck with me because of the leveraging of much simpler technology in a favorable environment. Also made me think about Todd with his elegant bespoke booth there - in that light he could probably have shot handheld too.

That radial die crack is a huge smoking gun attribute.

Welcome to the club.

Thanks, but its More like welcome to the jungle!

That was years ago when I was young sd! Lol