The Problem With Grading Morgans

I'd weigh it and see if the planchet might be a touch light. Luster breaks over the area of weakness are not apparent, so it certainly looks MS. Another thought is a planchet that was warped a touch. There are many die issues that could lead to this too, so I am shifting gears and focusing elsewhere. Ultimately my guess is worn dies with low strike pressure.

nlp. Your coin is suprisingly close to my coin in the areas That display significant weakness, thanks for posting it, it adds to my data for the O mint coins.

but you know it really should be in the safe with its equal? ;))

Very informative post... I knew about the weak strikes but WOW!... I had no idea they could be that weak... Great tread! Thanks!

My 1902-O

Dave, I hope that you did not find my earlier post to be rude, if so, I apologize. I did not intend in any way for it to come across as such. My point was that while your coin and Metalman's coin are definitely not of the same die pairing, your assertion that the cause of the phenomena on the first coin could well be caused by an overly concave die pair is quite plausible, but this would also imply that 'both' dies were in such a state (which is highly coincidental). I might think that the expertise of the N.O. mint workers was not on par with that of the Philly guys, and possibly some crusty crud (maybe of the same nomenclature of strike thru material) was not removed prior to striking. It may be interesting (and more telling) to know if this condition is either VAM or coin specific. I really think that considering the peripheral devices (dentils and lettering), that the notion of 'weak strike' can be dismissed.

First, absolutely no offense taken.

Second, I wasn't trying to make such an implication; indeed, the "concave die" theory is discounted by the fact that they all originated in Philadelphia, yet only New Orleans is known for the "weak strike" syndrome. The contrasting coin I presented was to support the idea that it's a function of the people, and how they chose to run the machinery.

That, and I'm kinda thinking out loud here, more musing than educating.

The thrust of my upcoming research in Philadelphia is to see if I can find some sort of Mint correspondence which supports one theory or the other.

Philadelphia was supplying the dies but as they wore it was up to the branch to polish and basin the dies was it not? Likewise maintain the presses which ran at breakneck speed. The mechanical aspect of press maintenance must have been continual. Worn and broken parts daily.
A few possibilities:
some branches had far more skilled/dedicated workers
San Fransisco surely had more comfortable working conditions than New Orleans, 70º vs 100º
Perhaps the basining in San Fransisco fell to a very skilled worker who enjoyed rejuvenating a worn die whereas that job in New Orleans fell to a trainee who not only lacked skill but hurried the job as it was done in a particularly hot uncomfortable part of the work room.
Didnt New Orleans have the majority of the overprints? O/CC etc. I always had the impression New Orleans got all the 'hand me down' dies and parts and tools from the other mints.
All conjecture in 2010. I have a lot of O Morgans and oddly most are decently if not very well struck whereas I've got some other mintmarks that are really soggy. I love them all.

Your listed possibilities are all good ones goldfinger. I have considered each of them before myself. The notion that I like the best is that possibly the mint workers may have over extended themselves on Bourbon St. at Mardi Gras the prior evening?