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 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,141 |
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
I am new to the forum and completely inexperienced in coins. I have been reading everything I can find on VAM Morgan's and the forum posts but haven't found this particular irregularity yet. I came to ask for help from the knowledgeable collectors here. My father has been a coin collector for many years, but he cannot find anything on this particular mark. I've posted pictures. It is a raised "cross" on the front of the coin near the chin and neck of Lady Liberty. Has anyone seen this identified as a VAM? Appreciate any help.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1511 Posts |
Is it raised or in the coin? Undortionitely, I'd have to say it's PMD (post mint damage).. whatever it is almost certainly happened post mint... I can't see anything in the minting process that would create this. Unless it was struck through something but highly doubtful... And it wouldn't be a VAM because of this (the coins definitley one VAM or another as all Morgans are) but VAM's are identified by Die Markers etc and this isn't an issue with the die. Again, I'd bet a lot on PMD. |
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New Member
 United States
8 Posts |
It's definitely raised, not scratched into the coin.
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
The way to identify this Morgan is to ignore the X. You need to figure out if it matches an existing die pairing. It appears to be a near date position but beyond that the pups are too small to be seen in your photo.
The first step, however is to determine it is real. Have you checked the weight, diameter and thickness?
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
The coin checks out. It is 26 g, 2.4 mm thickness and 1.5 inches across. My dad has been an avid collector for over 50 years and can usually spot fakes, but as I said, I'm clueless so I checked it myself :) The only reason it is me asking is because he's not much of an internet user. I can get better pictures if you can tell me the areas you need to see. Here is the reverse.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
My reaction is, was this a mark intended to "cancel" a die being taken out of service (either worn or simply at the end of the calendar year), and in error used again? However, such defaced dies typically have a larger, deeper "X" right across the center of the design.
Colligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5417 Posts |
 to CCF! Even thpugh the "x" in raised I'm inclined to think that the coin has suffered PMD and someone put the X on after thr coin left the mint. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
Ok, After seeing the reverse, it's a New Orleans mint coin. I now have to doubt the authenticity of it seeing the date position and mint mark position. There is not a listing for near date/ mint mark set high and left. The next thing is to try the tissue test. http://www.coincommunity.com/collec...sue-test.aspEdited by dave700x
06/12/2014 09:58 am
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
Wow, I never even noticed the date being so close. I'll get some tissue and post back what I find. Thank you
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
Here is the coin through a tissue. 1 ply is so thin I could actually see liberty's head through it so I used two.  |
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
Try a side by side with another Morgan and see if there is a difference with both single and double ply.
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
That will take some time as my dad has the coins. I will run by his house today and grab one to try that. Thanks!
Edited by lersmom
06/12/2014 11:26 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Unfortunately, your coin has been cut, metal cut at an angle will create a raised edge.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
I totally agree with biokemist. It is a damaged coin. Someone carved the X onto the coin many years ago when the coin was in better condition and after many years of circulation the metal displacement is now worn together with no evidence (depression cut into coin) left from the original cut..
Edited by 1893S
06/12/2014 1:30 pm
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New Member
United States
8 Posts |
Side by side  1 ply  2 ply  I can see where it could be damage done after minting considering the age of the coin. Now the date has me wondering. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
There are many near date 1887-O's. With careful study you could possibly determine the VAM, but, your coin is quite worn and maybe near to impossible to do so. |
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Replies: 17 / Views: 3,141 |
Posted 06/12/2014 07:00 am
