Why is it on most large BU coins is the reverse better than the obverse?

SethChandler

Especially Morgans and Saints

tradedollarnut

Feathers in the design do well to hide slide marks

Coins rested in cabinets face up. More opportunity for dings, toning & thus cleaning, etc

jonesy

Walker Reverses are Heavenly!!

Elcontador

Larger coins tend to have large open spaces on their obverses, while the devices on the reverses tend to leave less room for such open areas. Bruce's comment re the slide marks is also appropriate.

An example is the cheek on Miss Liberty on the Morgan $s & on Barber Coinage. Also, the raised area re Miss Liberty on the Walker and on Seated Coinage tends to attract contact marks as well.
If you look at a Seated $ in Unc., you'll often find most contact marks on the reverse in the field between the eagle's head and the top rim of the coin.

morganbarber

I'm not saying that it is true, but I once heard that when Morgan dollars came off of the "assembly line that they were face down as they plinked into the barrell or tub, or pole or whatever. I don't necessarily believe this, but it would account for the difference in quality between the sides.

CarlWohlforth

I see that on smaller coins too.

I was guessing the way they were stored had something to do with it. If they were saved in a Whitman folder the reverses are protected. If they are in a slide type folder people often put the coin in with their thumb and slide the slide across the obverse.

docday2003

<< <i>I see that on smaller coins too.

I was guessing the way they were stored had something to do with it. If they were saved in a Whitman folder the reverses are protected. If they are in a slide type folder people often put the coin in with their thumb and slide the slide across the obverse. >>



OUCH! Just reading your description gives me the shivers. Don't put your thumb on the coin, please!

jeffnpcb

The mint has always had a problem on large struck coins. Look at Peace and Ikes for a good reference. It is difficult to find large quantities of these coins with strong strikes. The reverse die is fixed and obverse is pressed or struck in the fixture.