Could this Morgan Silver Dollar be.. a die cap error?

tincup

Or perhaps a grease filled die... or perhaps just bullion. Kind of an odd one that I took a look at. Here is some info on this 1921 Morgan $1:

-- Obverse is quite mushy and has lack of details on obverse design, though towards edge perhaps just a little more detail.

-- At first glance it reminded me of a 'spooned' coin, as the edge rim appeared to be strong, raised and pronounced. But... the reeding is intact with no sign of damage, and is actually quite strong.

-- Not just a well worn coin; the reverse is AU or so and quite strong with excellent details, and is not 'washed out' like the obverse.

-- Weight is 26.54 grams, which is less than 1% different than the nominal weight for a silver dollar, so does not seem to have any metal removed by post Mint activities. Well within specifications.

-- Though there are some hairlines on the obverse, does not appear to be whizzed or similar type of altercation.

-- The diameter of the coin matches other silver dollars.

So normal weight; normal diameter, strong reeding; strong reverse; quite mushy obverse; does not appear to be whizzed. Could be a nearly fully greased filled die, but just seems kind of questionable to me. So I am entertaining an error, perhaps a late stage capped die strike? Any info appreciated.

jonathanb

Ex jewelry, for example possibly a belt buckle. Previously in some sort of encasement that protected the reverse while allowing someone to rub the obverse for luck.

tincup

@jonathanb said:
Ex jewelry, for example possibly a belt buckle. Previously in some sort of encasement that protected the reverse while allowing someone to rub the obverse for luck.

Thanks! That makes sense... and would certainly account for the hairlines on the front. Bullion it is!

tincup

And reaffirms the principle of looking for the simplest explanation... Occam's razor. Find it hard to believe that ex jewelry never even entered my thoughts! Just preoccupited with lots of other things I guess.

RedRocket

My guess is the reeding is also lacking.

jacrispies

Pretty nifty to see an obverse heavily circulated and reverse nearly BU.

@RedRocket said:
My guess is the reeding is also lacking.

Reeding is clearly there, as the jewelry bezel had protected the rim and edges.

tincup

Yep, the reeding is there, and strong. Whoever had it in jewelry (probably belt buckle) hopefully had lots of good luck, judging by how much that obverse was rubbed!

RedRocket

What is the edge of the coin called? I thought it was reeding. That is the part I am questioning, not the denticles.

CaptHenway

@jonathanb said:
Ex jewelry, for example possibly a belt buckle. Previously in some sort of encasement that protected the reverse while allowing someone to rub the obverse for luck.

This.

jmlanzaf

@RedRocket said:
What is the edge of the coin called? I thought it was reeding. That is the part I am questioning, not the denticles.

Yes, reeding. But I see no reason why the reeding would be "lacking". The reeding would be protected by the bezel and not show any significant wear.

Note: You can see some of the reeding at the bottom of the photo of the reverse.