Help with this 1879-S Morgan dollar

MSD61

Please could some Morgan collectors please help me with the identification of the spots on this 1879-S Morgan? I also noticed what looks to me as hair lines but they do not cross the face or any place else on the coin. They seem to be in the fields running under the portrait and lettering. They almost have the look of a proof coin that has been wiped yet stop at any high point of the coin. I have understood that sometimes coins will have hair lines even after leaving the mint. Could this be the case on this coin?
Thanks,
Micheál

ccr

One guess would be polished dies which is fairly common. Mainly it was done for those dies that are still good but, showing wear, so they polished them to reuse again and until they where to worn out or produced all they needed. Another is a scrape from a counting machine, which is what it looks like to me.

MSD61

How would this affect the grade? Anyone???

MSD61

Never mind, I'll just sent it and they can body bagged for all I care.

DorkGirl

It's really tough to guess what caused the spots. It looks like something splashed on the coin, it's lost the luster there. I think that eye appeal is very important in the grading process. The spots are distracting, so I think she might be graded down for that. Overall, she's a very nice coin. Sorry I can't be more help----

nankraut

I think this coin has been "messed with", and will body-bag due to altered surfaces.

MSD61

Thanks folks....I may keep this for the silver or ebay it. Maybe I can gain some of the money I've lost on it.

Askari

It looks like "chemical" residue to me. Of course, that could mean a water spot at the least or -- more likely -- dip left on too long. The lines underneath, though, look like abrasion. Did you shoot this through a holder of some type?

ccr

<< <i>I think this coin has been "messed with", and will body-bag due to altered surfaces. >>



I had the same impression with this coin and didn`t want to come out and say so until some else said something. I have a 78 - S that has die polish lines on it that goes straight up - and - down. It`s graded MS65 by PCGS ( which is about as high as I read they get for die polishing ). The lines here are more circular or side - to - side which I guess is maybe either done by a polishing wheel or done by a counting machine. So yeah, I also suspect that it`s whizzed.

MSD61

No holder, The coin is on it's own. Maybe this will be my first ANACS coin. I don't know....but thanks for the help all.

MSD61

Well I tell ya right now the coin has not been whizzed. If it was then whom ever whizzed it was a surgeon because these lines stop right at the high points of the coin wit pinpoint accuracy. They do not cross the lettering, the portrait, the date, the feathers nada. As I said they run cris-cross under the high points. What make it worse is this Morgan has PL fields so this makes these line stand out even more. The lines are on the fields and I find them no place else. As far as the spots they remind me of milk spots you'd find on Frankies.

The dealer I bought this from has a good rep. He is a very honest guy and if this coin was whizzed they got one passed him. He doesn't even care for toned coins because he feels they may hide something and forget getting a cleaned coin passed him. I blame myself for not paying more attention.

Placid

Send it in so the experts can look at it in person.
If it bodybags tell the dealer the reason and ask for a refund.

Askari

It doesn't look like whizzing at all to me -- more like filing. Maybe they had rust or some other blemish on the die to clean off.

BigAl

did you buy it off a local dealer? if so, return it and ask for store credit. I bet he'd be very happy to oblige.

bottom line, regardless of how those spots formed, you don't want to own a morgan with that big of a distraction--especially a common 79-s where availability really gives you the opportunity to be choosy and pick a coin that you're truly happy with.

Myqqy

I agree with BigAl- be choosy with a common date morgan like this!

dorkkarl

cleaned. ms-61

basically, it's a 20 $ coin

K S

MSD61

You maybe right dorkkarl Oh well, live and learn

Gilbert

Both issues (striations? and spot) could be planchet issues, but the spot (is it milky looking) could be from the planchet washing/rinsing solution. Wouldn't be the first.

As far as affecting the grade, well, IF they are striations and the spots are obvious pre-strike issues, it would probably limit the coin receiving a higher grade, and in all honesty, make a grader treat any other issues more harshly.

Why do say this? It is easier justify quantifiable discrepancies than justifying eye appeal.

edited to add: the more I look at those spots, the more they look like the result of a post strike contaminant.