So, you think you know your Morgan Dollars, do you?
kurtdog
Posts: 1,456
Just for a little fun, take a look at these three Morgan Dollar reverses, A, B and C, respectively, and tell me what date each is. Good luck. 
PS: This isn't a trick question (it can be done)...
A
B
C
PS: This isn't a trick question (it can be done)...
A
B
C
0
Comments
kidding I dont know morgans
bob
1878
1921
1878
Will’sProoflikes
<< <i>3 differenent dies of a 1921 morgan.
kidding I dont know morgans >>
Boy that took long! Can you explain how you arrived at your answer? You happen to be right on all counts, you amateur!
Will’sProoflikes
<< <i>They are all "P" MINT of course The parallel arrow feather and flat breast has to be a 1878. >>
That was my guess.
Will’sProoflikes
<< <i>Pics are too blurry for my eyes, sorry. >>
Same here.
<< <i>They are all "P" MINT of course The parallel arrow feather and flat breast has to be a 1878. >>
Nope. I took out the mint marks in two of these not as a trick but because their size might clue you in to the date, and it's possible to get these dates just on the strength of the design, alone, without an assist from the size of the marks. Now the question is, what's the "tell?" They're all from 1921.
PS: Sweetwilliet, yup, you hit 1 for 3.
B is a 21P D2 reverse, 16 berries
C is a 21P D2 reverse, 16 berries
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
#2 - 1921
#3 - possible 1887
Yeah too easy. Morgan re-engraved the dies for 1921 because all the masters had been destroyed in 1910.
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<< <i>A looks like a 21P D1 Reverse. 17 berries, polish lines on the top arrowhead.
B is a 21P D2 reverse, 16 berries
C is a 21P D2 reverse, 16 berries >>
OK, one of these is a 1921, one is a 1921-D, and one is a 1921-S. I removed the branch mint marks in the photos because these coins all have a "tell" on them which identifies they're all from the year 1921 and I wanted to see if anyone can spot that "tell" without regard to relying on the size and/or shape of the mint marks. In other words, you shouldn't need any help from the mint marks to tell these are all from 1921. If any of you don't like the pictures, just look at your own 1921s. All 1921s, regardless of mint, should have this "tell" on them, which will distinguish them from all other Morgan Dollars. See if you can get it that way, if these pictures are bothersome to you.
BTW, you're not going to find this in any book (at least, none that I'm aware of). I was pointed this out years ago by an old hobby shop owner (he also sold coins), and it's held up ever since. In fact, I'd be surprised to see a 1921 Morgan Dollar in which it doesn't hold up.
Again, this isn't a trick question...see if you can get it...if you know where to look, you can see it in these photos, without even zooming them up.
Good luck.
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<< <i>D / S/ P >>
Tell you the truth, I forget. But, then, after all, the mints are irrelevant to the question. Spot the one "tell" on all of these Morgan Dollars that indicates they're all from the year 1921. If you think you can...
Have to get in some work now so I can raise the money to support my addiction to the hobby. Again, good luck.
<< <i>D / S/ P >>
I agree with this. In addition to what I already said about coin B above, coin A looks to have a die crack/break on the O in OF that looks an awful lot like one of the 1921-D VAM 1V, and coin C looks to be the most attractive.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
<< <i>
<< <i>D / S/ P >>
Tell you the truth, I forget. But, then, after all, the mints are irrelevant to the question. Spot the one "tell" on all of these Morgan Dollars that indicates they're all from the year 1921. If you think you can...
Have to get in some work now so I can raise the money to support my addiction to the hobby. Again, good luck.
There are several, not just one. As I said, Morgan re-engraved everything from hand. It was a masterpiece of work, separated by over 40 years from his original modified designs but there are visible differences. Shape of the eagle for one, is an instant dead giveaway to me that this is the reverse of 1921. I don't need to look at the top arrow feather that is not slanted like Reverse of 79. But if for some strange reason I still need confirmation I can check the eagles breast because his feathers there are different. Finally, the font in the letters has a different look to it than the A, B, or C reverse designs. That is all from my memory. I don't count berries, that is a red herring, the eagle gives it away immediately. Finally, if you want more check page 106 of the Big VAM Book.
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<< <i>dyolfbp: He sys this isn't a trick question, but he photoshop's the mintmarks out. >>
Again, those branch mint marks would have been dead giveaways to anybody who knows their Morgan Dollars that those coins were 1921s. Therefore, for a question like this, I had to cut them out. Notwithstanding that, I can understand how somebody who doesn't know their Morgan Dollars could be a little confused as to why I had to do that.
no skill there- I just remember that the 1921 had many reverse dies so I placed a guess and was right!
so what do i win!
<< <i>
<< <i>dyolfbp: He sys this isn't a trick question, but he photoshop's the mintmarks out. >>
Again, those branch mint marks would have been dead giveaways to anybody who knows their Morgan Dollars that those coins were 1921s. Therefore, for a question like this, I had to cut them out. Notwithstanding that, I can understand how somebody who doesn't know their Morgan Dollars could be a little confused as to why I had to do that. >>
I think you confused everyone with this post.
<< <i>thats funny that I was right.
no skill there- I just remember that the 1921 had many reverse dies so I placed a guess and was right!
so what do i win! >>
The Fonz was with you...what else could possibly explain it?
Really, you got the initial question right. And seeing as how yours was the first reply, that did kinda stun me. Now, though, the question is, how can one tell? As I said, it's the same thing on each of these, regardless of mint.
I'll tell you, eventually, if it comes to that, but I'd still like to see if anybody can get it.
PS: And, if there were a prize...OK, OK, you talked me into it...it's yours!
Edit: Or it could be the stars are larger on the 21's, I fogot which it is...But I'm getting old and may have it plain confused with something else...
And my last guess: The "larger" parallel arrow feather's.
<< <i>Will there ever be an answer to the tell? >>
That's better.
Let's just keep this a challenge for now, as I just started the thread. In the meantime, just to occupy ourselves, if somebody wants to post a reverse of any Morgan Dollar, from any date, I'll tell you if it's a 1921. Just remember, cut out the mint mark, if it has one, so as not to provide an unfair clue. I'll get it without regard to the mint mark. Just make sure it's a reasonably clear picture.
PS: And no tricks.