1878-S Morgan: Damage, VAM - Or Maybe Both?

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Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 1,222
Shenandoah1 New Member United States 47 Posts	Posted 06/28/2022 12:13 am 1878-S Morgan, NGC MS 62 So here's one that I'm a little unsure about. I'm think we're looking at some kind of after-mint damage, but NGC graded the coin MS62. I thought it would get a Details grade given the size and visibility of the damage. So I thought maybe it's some kind of VAM (at least the first two -- I'm 99% sure the third is damage) but I couldn't find anything on the 1878-S VAM World page that matches either of the first two images. But of course I could have missed something -- there are quite a few VAMs to go through. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks for any help you can provide. Edited by Shenandoah1 06/28/2022 12:14 am Report this Post to the Staff

jacrispies Pillar of the Community United States 3848 Posts	Posted 06/28/2022 12:20 am The first photo appears to be a solid piece of residue or dirt on the coin. The second photo is too blurry to evaluate with any accuracy or confidence. The third photo I am almost certain is a strikethrough. There is a rough texture in the divots that would be unnatural for a scratch. Additionally, there is no displaced metal. The coin overall appears to have consistent chatter to merit a grade of MS-62. Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955 Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. Report this Post to the Staff
Shenandoah1 New Member United States 47 Posts	Posted 06/28/2022 01:23 am A strikethrough -- I hadn't thought about that, thank you. I should have mentioned with respect to the first photo that it is definitely some kind of gouge, not residue. It's as if someone took a woodworking awl, dug into the tail feathers and chipped a flake off the top layer of the surface. Yeah, the third photo isn't great. I've included two more below -- more close up, though the quality isn't much better. For what it's worth, the surface of the gouge (or whatever it is) is very rough, like what you'd expect to see if you cut a chunk off a rock. Report this Post to the Staff
jacrispies Pillar of the Community United States 3848 Posts	Posted 06/28/2022 11:39 am I would guess strikethough on LIBERTY as well, if it is incuse. If the action on the eagle's tail feathers is a gouge, what accounts for the dark color? Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955 Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. Report this Post to the Staff
kbbpll Pillar of the Community United States 4233 Posts	Posted 06/28/2022 12:11 pm My first thought is normal dark toning spot and two strike-through's. In my (very limited) experience a spot like that looks like it might come off, or is incuse, but it is what it is, and doesn't get a "details" designation. My example (AU-58 dime) Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 95252 Posts	Posted 06/28/2022 2:21 pm I think you close-up is a wee bit too close and looks pixelated a bit. I'm seeing a gouge by the rim and not sure on Liberty's banner on the head yet. Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
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