Mystery Morgan
Numismaphile
Posts: 33 ✭✭
This coin is the right mass and silver composition (tested with a sigma). Same audible “ping” as silver. But I have no doubt that it’s fake. The obverse has a soft cast look, and the reverse has a weird concentric peripheral wear. Any ideas why someone would fake a common Morgan in 90% silver? I’ve been told this was done with gold coins and silver eagle to meet demand in places like the Middle East.
Best Answers
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brokecollector
Posts: 74 ✭✭✭
I noticed that the price of silver hit 28 cents an oz. in 1932. So, a counterfeiter could have made a coin with good silver and made money by putting it in commerce! I think it was a somewhat modern counterfeit made to be spent.
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CaptHenway
Posts: 32,400 ✭✭✭✭✭
Finally looked at this on my monitor instead of my phone. Am now fairly sure that this is a genuine coin that was in some kind of jewelry holder for a long time. As the coin turned, grinding down the reverse periphery, the obverse got beat up.
Can I prove it? No. Does it matter? Not much.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.1
Answers
I don't see why such a common date would be faked. The wear pattern is definitely strange but it could've been done on purpose.
Almost like a washing machine coin.
The substantial truth doctrine is an important defense in defamation law that allows individuals to avoid liability if the gist of their statement was true.
People fake all types of coins wether rare or common.
Check out this guy: "In the mid-1950s Francis LeRoy Henning of Erial, New Jersey minted what is now known as the “Henning” Nickel. He made counterfeit nickels dated 1939, 1944, 1946, 1947 and 1953"
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
I'm familiar with Henning nickels. I forgot to mention it could be a contemporary counterfeit. I don't see why it would be a modern counterfeit on such a common date.
A modern counterfeit would make more sense than a contemporary if it is good silver. There would be no advantage at the time in making a $1 coin with $1 of silver.
It also could be genuine. The obverse could be mushy due to corrosion rather than casting
Can’t say anything about this particular piece, but some common date counterfeits have been made to be used in cheap jewelry.
Appreciate all the thoughtful answers but no smoking guns here. Henning was probably psychologically motivated. And a nickel did buy a cup of coffee back then. I’ll bring it to coin camp (ANA Seminar) this summer and look for reason. Thanks to all!
My guess is a rather modern counterfeit, but that is just my guess.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Could have been used under a wobbly table leg -
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
See, now THAT makes sense!
You sure have an impressive coin resume. Thanks. Will bring to ANA this summer and ask.