1878-S Morgan Cud Marks On Face?

" Cuds" are areas of raised metal created when outside edges of dies break off, and either fall away completely or recess somewhat. Either way, a Cud always begins at the rim of the coin and proceeds inwards to whatever extent the break covers. Like so:



It's kinda tough to visualize what you're talking about without a picture.

looks like it may be some pitting but cant be sure, pitting could come from the dies being rusted and it is usually on the reverse because it is the die that is on bottom and condensation can sit in the die and cause it to rust and pit. I am not 100% sure what is on your coin (I can see it looks raised) because I have not really ever seen anything like that on a 1878 Morgan

I want to post another just dont know how and I really am wondering whats up with those marks.

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Originally posted by Bryan1315

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Originally posted by SuperDave

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I think you just posted that picture just so you could look at it

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That too.

Newdavid, those are interesting features. Like Bryan said, they're obviously raised, and in an area where they're obviously not part of a planchet defect - they'd have been flattened during the strike.

Pitting is unlikely, although it has happened on obverses. The spots are too few, and too raised, to look like pitting. It's possible that something happened to the coin post-mint that deposited something on it - splatter from welding or brazing, for instance - but they sure look like part of the coin.

Another possibility is that the coin was minted from imperfect alloy, which then bubbled after mintage. I don't think the bubbles would be so sharp, though.

This one's fun. I gotta think about it.

Golly, you're fast. I had the double post off the page in 30 seconds.

SuperDave, since you like 'em so much, I will repost my 1921 for ya....

Although not a VAM of any kind, I still like it....




One note though: If ya notice where the cracks are in relation to the E and the period, maybe this was a VAM 1X predecessor....

MM