Posted 06/10/2006 9:22 pm
By The Book, the actual weight of a Morgan dollar as it comes out of the press is supposed to be 412.5 grains (about 26.7300 grams) with a diameter of 38.1 mm. However, there are very minor, but measurable weight differences from one year or mint to the next (say, 1.5 grain plus or minus).
As a Morgan is circulated, it loses weight. I have a well-circulated (G-04 if it was gradable) 1879CC Morgan which weighs 398.2 grains, a difference from an uncirculated Morgan which is not detectable in the hand.
Within any specified Morgan date and mint mark, there are usually several (sometimes many) varieties regarding mint mark size, shape, location and various other parts of the coin which may be slightly (sometimes almost microscopically so) different than others. The differences are generally attributable to the numbers and variations of dies used to mint the coins. With the 1885 Carson City, there are recognized four different varieties, but none of any significance according to Bowers' Red Book of Morgan silver dollars. I don't believe there is enough 1885CC mint mark variation to detect with the naked eye.
P.S. You would get more response if you posted your pictures here on the forum.
As a Morgan is circulated, it loses weight. I have a well-circulated (G-04 if it was gradable) 1879CC Morgan which weighs 398.2 grains, a difference from an uncirculated Morgan which is not detectable in the hand.
Within any specified Morgan date and mint mark, there are usually several (sometimes many) varieties regarding mint mark size, shape, location and various other parts of the coin which may be slightly (sometimes almost microscopically so) different than others. The differences are generally attributable to the numbers and variations of dies used to mint the coins. With the 1885 Carson City, there are recognized four different varieties, but none of any significance according to Bowers' Red Book of Morgan silver dollars. I don't believe there is enough 1885CC mint mark variation to detect with the naked eye.
P.S. You would get more response if you posted your pictures here on the forum.
Edited by Morgan Fred
06/10/2006 9:24 pm
06/10/2006 9:24 pm
