| Author |
 Replies: 61 / Views: 7,489 |
|
Forum Dad
 United States
24154 Posts |
|
|
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
11880 Posts |
This coin is a little weird. It looks to have prooflike surfaces with diagonal polishing lines and beautiful toning. As a prooflike coin, you would think that it was an early business strike from fresh dies, but the hair above the brow is weak and not fully struck. My thinking is that this was an early strike with fresh dies, but because this was a new coin setup during the first year of Morgan dollar issuance at the San Francisco Mint, it was not set up well enough for a full impression. I believe this is a business strike and not a proof. MS64PL due to the striking weakness, but otherwise a beautiful coin with largely unblemished surfaces. Better than a typical 64PL but given the striking weakness, not gem imho. Thanks for sharing this beautiful coin.  Edited by numismatic student
08/06/2018 7:45 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
2843 Posts |
This coin is something special. I think it is a 66 or possibly a 67.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
7234 Posts |
Beautiful Morgan. I don't think the pictures are doing it justice. MS66 may even go 66+
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
36724 Posts |
Looks like a Branch Mint Proof to me. Amazing detail on both sides rarely found on any Morgan made for circulation. PF-68
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
11880 Posts |
there aren't any known 78s morgan proofs
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5029 Posts |
I am not a Morgan guy so indulge me here.
I find that tone color quite attractive. Grading a toned coin has always been a weakness for me as to whether it is natural or artificial toning. Can someone explain to me why the toning on the obverse is lighter near the rim all the way around than it is from the center outward?
And I am with numismaticstudent about the comment that this is not a proof.
Edited by scopru
08/06/2018 8:38 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1949 Posts |
That sure looks like a proof to me?
|
|
Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
MS-68PL John1  |
|
Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
I know the answer to this one already so I'll just  again... |
|
Valued Member
United States
484 Posts |
Don't be dazzled by this one. no proofs of 78-s were struck. The detail on the reverse is abnormal even for a proof. The coin is a fake and a over-engraved fake at that.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7618 Posts |
Looks too good to be true.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4469 Posts |
PCGS did not think it was a fake as it is now slabed.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
12057 Posts |
This is an enigmatic Morgan dollar. 10 sets of dies were shipped to San Fran in 1878. Of those, 8 sets were reported as being unusable due to pitting and other problems. The first 10 coins actually struck were specially engraved left of the bust -- the most notable of these is the Eliasberg/Damon specimen. It was originally thought to be a VAM-57, later revised to VAM-60. Even when compared to the Eliasberg/Lee 1878 Philadelphia (graded Proof 67, NGC) this coin shows far superior detail, especially on the wing and breast feathers. This appears to be a possible VAM-58 with the unmistakable huge eye spike, along with the long nock reverse. If so, it would blast the finest known example (AU58) out of the water. I am not sure what exactly I am looking at here. The toning looks natural. The surfaces look prooflike. The detail is way, way better than any Morgan dollar I've ever seen, including high grade Proofs. This is the PCGS 1878-S MS68, currently the finest known example of any variety of 1878-S Morgan dollar. Bobby's coin is arguably superior in EVERY detail.  Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis Edited by paralyse
08/06/2018 11:04 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1788 Posts |
It's a branch mint specimen. It graded SP65. Edit: "Earliest known specially-struck branch mint Morgan dollar" - PCGS Edited by Ploopy
08/06/2018 10:41 pm
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Quote:
The coin is a fake and a over-engraved fake at that. You aren't even in the same hemisphere as the answer for this one |
| |
Replies: 61 / Views: 7,489 |
Posted 08/06/2018 7:50 pm
