| Author |
 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,929 |
|
|
New Member
Canada
36 Posts |
First post here...Hi! I'm somewhat new to modern coins but not to ancients which I collected for years back in the early 90s. I had to sell my whole collection in a big hurry back then and never took it back up, but Ive been buying US and Canadian coins recently, as well as silver bullion, and I have a question about this 1887 Morgan:  I don't know what this is called but I doubt its a scratch. Do you see the curved line through the four stars under the E? Is that a die anomaly? Also, what about the little toning spot on the number seven? I assume a drop of something containing sulfur landed on it at some point, but isn't there any way to remove it safely...with a pointed artist's brush perhaps? Thanks much! *** Edited by Staff to fix images. *** |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1219 Posts |
Telfer, welcome. What you have is a die crack. Very common on Morgan & Peace dollars. Does not add or subtract any value to your coin. As for the spot, I'm not a big fan of cleaning any history off my coins. Once and a while I may soak for an hour in Acetone to remove loose grim and rinse, but no brushes of any kind. |
|
New Member
 Canada
36 Posts |
Ok thanks MR, are die cracks only found around the edge?
Also, you might notice a small dark spot in the hair above (and in front of) the ear. Is that also toning...or maybe a tiny hole? I dont like patchy toning!
This is the highest part of the relief no...just above the ear?
And on the reverse its the eagle's breast?
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1219 Posts |
Telfer, you are correct about the high points. None of these spots would be toning. They all appear to be chemically induced discoloration. What can be done about it, I have no idea. Cracks are most common around the edge of the coin but can be found anywhere on the coin. In the hair, on the eagle and so on.
|
|
New Member
Canada
36 Posts |
I'm going to try a tiny amount of acetone on the tip of an artist's brush tomorrow. Its not an expensive coin...and I'll be gentle.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
301 Posts |
That is a huge die crack extending through the e to the fifth star. I dont know what VAM it is but it's a nice one Jazzcoins Joe |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5611 Posts |
Telfer, welcome to this forum, looking at this coin I see many things,you have met MorgansRmine, he is (in my opinion) a resident VAM specialist.I see more than one die crack, there is another one along the right side stars also and I believe another from the rim down through the letter U to the cap, there might be another from her chin down to the rim of the coin.I would like to see the reverse if you could,BE WELL, MORGANS DAD... |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
527 Posts |
Nice dies cracks! It also looks like there might be some doubling in the lower inner ear area. A picture of the reverse would be helpful for variety identification.
|
|
New Member
United States
9 Posts |
dies usually crack around the edge as used at the mint
|
| |
Replies: 8 / Views: 1,929 |
|
Posted 11/17/2008 6:48 pm
