I wish this 1903-S Morgan dollar was problem free - added mm?

KollectorKing

I took it to the “biggest” dealer & was told the s was added. What say you?

JBK

If you can handle it at a lower grade or two, carry it around in your pocket for a year or two.

Insider2

Well it is not. Put some acetone on it as those spots may come off. Anyway, the coin is cleaned and cannot be hurt. Only the eye appeal can be improved so get it conserved.

TommyType

I think people are missing your question about the "Added Mintmark"....(So I'm restating it here for you).

As for my opinion....something about it doesn't look right to me. But that opinion, and $5, will get you a cup of coffee....

JBK

@TommyType said:
I think people are missing your question about the "Added Mintmark"....(So I'm restating it here for you).

Yes, I for one missed it. That is the danger of HUGE photos and then a line of text afterward. Oh well.

Insider2

Dealer's are a funny breed. Some wouldn't know a coin was genuine if they watched it drop off the press. This is a coin it makes sense to alter; however, the "S" is the right shape. Tip it on its side under a very strong light and look for an undercut.

TommyType

Yeah....I'm going to amend my "doesn't look right" comment. I initially thought it looked too "open". But looking at CoinFacts, the 03S mint mark does in fact look like that....

Doesn't mean it's real...but does mean you shouldn't listen to me.

AUandAG

.Based on those pics I say it is real.

Not an added S

bob

jughead1893

vam3-centered mint mark tilted to left

messydesk

VAM 4. C4/C3 reverse, normal date, S slightly high with slight tilt to the left.

jesbroken

Matches the coinfacts s. Authentic s IMO.
Jim

Smudge

MM is ok, just the cleaning problem maybe @JBK is right, and silver dollars feel great in your pocket, if you don't mind losing a couple of points.

ranshdow

I dunno. The S on my worn, retoned, POS raw 1903-S is dead vertical & looks nothing like that one.
Maybe mine's the fake.

(tho' it looks pretty good in this photo?)

Unknown

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10000lakes

@ranshdow

Your coin looks like a Vam -1

vamworld.com/1903-S%20VAM-1

ranshdow

SWEET

thefinn

If you want to get rid of some of the cleaning look - and some of those awful spots - try rubbing it between your fingers for a few minutes. The oils will help losen the toning, and the grunge will give it a bit of an antiqued look. I have saved a few hairlines and cleaned Pillar dollars that way.

BillJones

@thefinn said:
If you want to get rid of some of the cleaning look - and some of those awful spots - try rubbing it between your fingers for a few minutes. The oils will help losen the toning, and the grunge will give it a bit of an antiqued look. I have saved a few hairlines and cleaned Pillar dollars that way.

This technique is known as "thumbing," and it is considered to be a form of doctoring. The graders should catch this, they have in the past, but if you can get it under the wire, it's one more way to beat the system.

ricko

The MM looks authentic to me...The coin itself has a lot of dings and wear...Not a high grade coin... Are you planning to send in some of these coins? I know you have had them for a long time and we enjoy seeing them.. just wondering if you intend to have some graded. Cheers, RickO

Jimnight

Judging from your photos and comparing them to authenticated examples... the MM looks authentic to me also... as for the coin itself.. all I can say is it's circulated.

asheland

!!!

asheland

Just kidding!

Mint mark looks OK, you just need to pocket piece this coin!

bronco2078

@BillJones said:

@thefinn said:
If you want to get rid of some of the cleaning look - and some of those awful spots - try rubbing it between your fingers for a few minutes. The oils will help losen the toning, and the grunge will give it a bit of an antiqued look. I have saved a few hairlines and cleaned Pillar dollars that way.

This technique is known as "thumbing," and it is considered to be a form of doctoring. The graders should catch this, they have in the past, but if you can get it under the wire, it's one more way to beat the system.

thumb the side of the nose first

DollarAfterDollar

Messy Desk already indicated the Vam number and it's authenticity. It's been cleaned. To take the shine off of it pocket piece might be your only option.

thefinn

@BillJones said:

@thefinn said:
If you want to get rid of some of the cleaning look - and some of those awful spots - try rubbing it between your fingers for a few minutes. The oils will help losen the toning, and the grunge will give it a bit of an antiqued look. I have saved a few hairlines and cleaned Pillar dollars that way.

This technique is known as "thumbing," and it is considered to be a form of doctoring. The graders should catch this, they have in the past, but if you can get it under the wire, it's one more way to beat the system.

I use it as a way to try to make an ugly or problem coin more palatable. Not too concerned about getting it graded. I use both thumbs... and a couple of fingers. It's my definition of a little rub on a coin.

thefinn

@bronco2078 said:

@BillJones said:

@thefinn said:
If you want to get rid of some of the cleaning look - and some of those awful spots - try rubbing it between your fingers for a few minutes. The oils will help losen the toning, and the grunge will give it a bit of an antiqued look. I have saved a few hairlines and cleaned Pillar dollars that way.

This technique is known as "thumbing," and it is considered to be a form of doctoring. The graders should catch this, they have in the past, but if you can get it under the wire, it's one more way to beat the system.

thumb the side of the nose first

Then put it in your pocket to finish the look off.