Luster on Morgans: reverse usually better than obverse?

dan1ecu

Hi, All -

I recently bought a couple of Morgans. The luster on both is much more intense on the reverse than on the obverse. Both coins are fairly heavily toned on both sides.

Do Morgans usually have better luster on the reverse for some reason, or is it just a coincidence that mine do?

Dan

Coppernicus

I'm not sure about the luster, but I firmly believe that most coins have a better strike on the reverse. Not always of course, but I see so many Lincoln wheats (my passion) with strong reverses and weak obverses.

My theory, which applies to Morgans as well, is that most coins have larger, deeper devices on the obverse compared to the reverse. Thus, when the dies impact the planchet, there is more material to move with the obverse die than the reverse die. This means a greater chance for a weak strike on the obverse.

The one area on the reverse of Lincoln wheats that is quite often weak is the O in ONE. This letter is directly opposite the largest (by volume) feature on the obverse (Lincoln's shoulder and chest).

The Morgan Obverse is a big device while the reverse devices are shallower with more small detail. I agree with you that the revrse tends to be more PL and better struck than the obverse. Again, on average.

Mike