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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,155 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
673 Posts |
While working at the shop a couple weeks ago , the 1921 Morgan box got within two feet of me and this coin jumped into my hand  ....I think that's how it went...  This coin was screaming for a home, so I gave it one. I love the color on this coin and it looks NT to me. When I get done staring at it some day , I'll figure out the VAM designation, for now I thought it would be nice to see what kind of grades it would get through all this color. I will post my grade opinions after I see what it looks like to you all, without it in-hand. The obverse colors did not show as true straight on, so I added an angled picture for a better idea of the colors. Good Luck !    After revisiting SuperDaves spiel on VAM collecting ( nicely written Sir) I got a bug to visit this coin again- and you'll never guess what I came up with. I have edited the pictures to show where the die cracks are located on the obv and rev of this coin. The die cracks are red , and there seems to be a single deeper polishing line/ gouge (yellow) at the date. These die cracks are very light at this stage , and I will try to get them on pictures when I go to the shop Tuesday. I am by no means an expert but these cracks seem to mimic the VAM 1oh , just way earlier than the die state with the break over the A...what say you ?   Edited by InfiniteInterest
03/24/2008 11:54 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6384 Posts |
Boy, that's a pretty one! I hope it's natural toning, though I can't say I've seen any 1921 coins with such bright color. I don't see any obvious wear although it looks like some of the leaves on the right side of the wreath are somewhat flat. The high points on Liberty's cap and on the leaves and cotton bolls are a little lighter in color which usually means they have some rub. Otherwise, the details all look pretty strong for a 1921 and the cheek looks clean. How is the luster? It doesn't show at all in the photos. If luster is present and intact over the high points then perhaps it is mint state after all. Without a good idea of the luster quality, my grade estimates would range from AU-55 to MS-64 based on these photos. I'd really be interested in seeing whether a TPG would slab this coin. |
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Member
United States
3242 Posts |
jaobler read my mind so I agree with him.
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Valued Member
United States
328 Posts |
EF40... that fingerprint definitely doesn't help the grade.  |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Wow, what a pretty coin. It's not conclusive, but the toning through fingerprints tends to indicate that it's NT, at least by my definition. 1921's didn't tone like earlier Morgans; nice colors and rainbows are almost unknown, so a rainbow-toned 1921 is cause for suspicion. Another consideration is that the base coin has little worth; you'd think that someone wouldn't go to the effort of doctoring such a coin. Nothing jumps out at me concerning VAM attribution - attributing this one will be an intellectual exercise rather than an expectation of increased value. "Good" 1921-D VAM's start and end with die cracks. As for grade, I'm going more by intuition rather than evidence when I say that I think it's AU55-58. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
673 Posts |
I bought it out of the circ 21 box, but it is just barely circulated. I was almost willing to say weak strike, but I think this one is a pretty good strike. Just the slightest wear on the tops of the hair strands and across the high spots on the cotton bolls and the cap. The fingerprints are not nearly as visible as fingerprints in hand, but they were the deciding factor in my determination that it could be NT. It also has alot of luster hiding beneath those colors, but the pics were tempermental, color or luster...not both. The angled pic should give a little better idea of luster. I finally decided this one is AU-58 with my own personal * rating There is just one slight die crack forming on the reverse of this coin over STATE , not quite to the last S yet. Left and right stars at least doubled and date doubled too, when I am feeling like burning a few hours I will attempt to attribute this one ! |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Tough call, II. There are a few 1921-D VAM's with those cracks around AT - 1AM, 1BU, 1Oh, 1BQ all mention it, and there are others not mentioned with cracks in the same area. It must have been a weak part of the die. The point, though - if the cracks you see, even in an early die state, don't exactly match what's listed, then it's not that VAM. Another consideration, and this is a judgment call maybe neither of us are capable of making, is what cracks should be there with an EDS coin and which ones won't be there until later. With 1-Oh as the case in point, I'm thinking that you should see some of the characteristic obverse cracks (which you haven't mentioned) as well as some of the unique cracks around OF, even in an EDS coin. Like I say, tough call.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
673 Posts |
Thanks again SuperDave. I thought maybe these cracks were fairly common in these areas , but the pattern looks identical to the 1-oh . I have to get ready to go to the shop, so I will check this out later and try to get some pics of the cracks if they will show up under the scope. Have a great day !
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Pillar of the Community
United States
673 Posts |
Well, I got some pics, but I doubt they will show anything. I did not find any other hidden cracks with the scope, so the highlighted pictures pretty much say it all. There are some cracks through the stars on the obv ( check highlighted obv pic) but they too are pretty light. The only thing I found near OF was a chipped/broken serif at the bottom of the F. Pics of the F, the obv stars crack , and the area above the A in STATES follow....    And the search continues.... |
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,155 |
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Posted 03/22/2008 10:10 am
