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 Replies: 13 / Views: 599 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2516 Posts |
I've looked this over a few times and can't figure it out! The bottom wing feathers don't seem to correspond with anything. And the coin is dirty enough that it's difficult to see if other die markers are even there.   Shoutout to @CoinPhotoStudio... Thanks for doing the pictures for me! Please let me know if you need closeup photos of any part of the coin. I can take those through a loupe or a scope. Thank you! |
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Moderator
 United States
15384 Posts |
Are you sure it's authentic?
I'm not an expert on the Morgan series, but something looks off to my eye. It also has the low-grade fake dirty toned look that the Chinese use on their knock-offs.
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
2516 Posts |
I'm certain it's authentic. Non-magnetic, XRF says 90% silver. Weighs 26.3g, which doesn't raise any alarms with the level of wear.
The light spots around the eye, ear, and the N, are from me poking and rubbing at it to try and see die markers.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3323 Posts |
I think it's an authentic coin. Check out the A2 reverses - that may be what you have there.
"Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2516 Posts |
No luck with A2 reverses. On my coin, the double little feathers (secondary feathers?) on the base of the left wing don't match what's on the A2 reverse. Not to mention the gouge that smushed the bottom right wing feathers don't do any favours for making identification easy.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
8724 Posts |
I'm with Bump on the A2 reverse but cannot match an obverse with yours. I think that is damage to the lower feather, making it look like two instead of one. Just my opinion though.  -makecents-
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2516 Posts |
With the amount of dings and other damage on this coin, I wouldn't be surprised if that is another unfortunately-located damage. Let me give this coin another look over.
Just to make sure I understand the attribution guide on Vamworld Wiki, the A2 reverses correcpond to VAMs 18 to 22, correct?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8724 Posts |
Quote:
the A2 reverses correcpond to VAMs 18 to 22, correct? Through 23. Not sure if it's the circulation wear of what, but I cannot come up with a match. There is some doubling on yours that may be Machine Doubling too that does not help either. I am at a loss.... -makecents-
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2516 Posts |
Missed the 23. D'oh! Among A2 reverses, the best I can do is narrow it down to VAM 20 or 21 (leaf instead of berry on the top left of wreath). With the nostril still complete on the obverse, it may be VAM 20, but I cannot see any clash marks in front of the neck, or match any doubling on the obverse. There must be an old cleaning/polishing on this coin, it's impossible to see any die markers. I am going to go back and check A1 reverses again, as they seem to all have the leaf instead of a berry on the left wreath. What differences are you guys seeing to determine that this is an A2 instead of an A1 reverse? Edited by Altaira
03/05/2026 10:42 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8724 Posts |
Altaira, I think I am creating more havoc than helping, so one last stab at this for me and I will quit misleading you.... After coming up empty with the A2 reverses, I had to rethink and start over. I do not think the feather is damaged I brought up earlier. Between the damage and wear to your coin and not thinking outside the box, I eliminated several reverses earlier. I believe yours has an over polished tailfeather area that made me look at it wrong. Check VAM-14 markers and see what you think. I will quit after this.  VAM-14 https://www.vamworld.com/wiki/1878-P_VAM-14-makecents-
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2516 Posts |
Hot darn! I think you cracked it makecents. VAM 14 Chip in Ear. I had to scoop out all the dirt from the ear to get these pics (the whole ear is now a weird gleaming white spot on the coin) but this is a positive ID! Thank you! Ear  Cap ribbon just below the fourth cotton leaf  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8724 Posts |
Very cool! Sorry for the wild goose chase, I felt really bad....
-makecents-
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2516 Posts |
Don't feel bad, it's the hunt that makes it fun |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8724 Posts |
Quote:Don't feel bad, it's the hunt that makes it fun Glad you feel that way. I enjoy the hunt too but hate when I drag someone else through my mud over their hunt.  -makecents-
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Replies: 13 / Views: 599 |
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Posted 03/02/2026 10:49 am
