Two Coins I Picked Up at FUN
TomB
Posts: 21,215 ✭✭✭✭✭
If anyone here read my thread about the FUN show and wondered what were the coins that I bought down there, well, here are two of them. They are each only imaged on one side as there was a problem imaging the other side of each coin. I have included images of the inserts with the coins so that you might be able to adjust the color scheme of each as they appear on your monitor. The Morgan is an 1887 and is graded MS65 while the Peace is a 1922 and is graded MS64.
The Morgan dollar is toned in a manner that I believe most folks would not like; it is a highly lusterous white coin with vivid, discrete patches of colorful toning made up almost entirely of green, orange and red on the obverse. The toning is remniscent of a white coin that has had colored, metallic confetti dropped onto it and then gently blown away leaving color only in the areas protected from the breeze. The luster is very good and jumps right through the toning. I believe the obverse is a low end MS65 as far as surface preservation goes, it may even be an MS64. The reverse is better from a technical standpoint with an MS65+ surface and a similar toning pattern. However, the toning on the reverse is mostly pure, vivid green around the perimeter with orange and red around the devices. I believe this coin is an example of one that was in an envelope for a considerable length of time. In total, this is a very well balanced coin, albeit not one for most people.
The Peace dollar has a very dark obverse. The coin does not image well from that standpoint. Its obverse is a mixture of deep blueberry and cranberry that at a distance almost looks like lusterous graphite. Upon closer inspection the obverse appears to be toned like a severe thunderstorm. It is deep in color but has very good luster. The obverse is easily MS64 but has a pair of scratches in front of Ms Liberty's nose that are easily missed but are also good-sized. The reverse is the point of the coin. It is fabulous. Approximately half the reverse is covered in a deep, pumpkin orange and red dominated rainbow. Yes, there is a rainbow under those two predominant colors as there is deep green and violet near the perimeter of the coin. The white area of the reverse has thick, crunchy, original patina that gives the coin a truly three dimensional look. The luster is coruscating and complete with no breaks and booms through the crescent of color. When the coin is tilted a beautiful haze of oxidation overtakes the features. It is original and distinctive.
The Morgan dollar is toned in a manner that I believe most folks would not like; it is a highly lusterous white coin with vivid, discrete patches of colorful toning made up almost entirely of green, orange and red on the obverse. The toning is remniscent of a white coin that has had colored, metallic confetti dropped onto it and then gently blown away leaving color only in the areas protected from the breeze. The luster is very good and jumps right through the toning. I believe the obverse is a low end MS65 as far as surface preservation goes, it may even be an MS64. The reverse is better from a technical standpoint with an MS65+ surface and a similar toning pattern. However, the toning on the reverse is mostly pure, vivid green around the perimeter with orange and red around the devices. I believe this coin is an example of one that was in an envelope for a considerable length of time. In total, this is a very well balanced coin, albeit not one for most people.
The Peace dollar has a very dark obverse. The coin does not image well from that standpoint. Its obverse is a mixture of deep blueberry and cranberry that at a distance almost looks like lusterous graphite. Upon closer inspection the obverse appears to be toned like a severe thunderstorm. It is deep in color but has very good luster. The obverse is easily MS64 but has a pair of scratches in front of Ms Liberty's nose that are easily missed but are also good-sized. The reverse is the point of the coin. It is fabulous. Approximately half the reverse is covered in a deep, pumpkin orange and red dominated rainbow. Yes, there is a rainbow under those two predominant colors as there is deep green and violet near the perimeter of the coin. The white area of the reverse has thick, crunchy, original patina that gives the coin a truly three dimensional look. The luster is coruscating and complete with no breaks and booms through the crescent of color. When the coin is tilted a beautiful haze of oxidation overtakes the features. It is original and distinctive.
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Comments
Andy
First POTD 9/19/05!!
Carl
Mark sure knows how to pick 'em!
First POTD 9/19/05!!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
It's actually MUCH more vibrant in person...
First POTD 9/19/05!!
Thanks for posting.
Very nice toning on the peace dollar.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson