Morgan VAM? 1882-S Photo

badger

I'm no Morgan expert. When I checked some Morgans that I have had for eons, I found this one. 1882-S MS66,
What's up with the stars? It looks like they shifted?

DorkGirl

Your beautiful Morgan was in an environment that caused it to tone. I believe the metal flow around the stars was different than the rest of the metal flow and caused it to tone slower causing this wonderful shadow effect. Someone with more knowledge of this process will show up and correct me if I'm wrong

badger

Dorkgirl,

Thanks for the comments. I couldn't figure it out. That shadow effect is on the reverse also. It is strange because you keep wanting to tilt the coin to different angles thinking it is a shadow.

morgannut2

Becky has it right. Because the metal essentially recrystalizes due to strike pressure, the cubic packing of molecules on the coins surface can vary. Think if it as a childs building blocks on their edges causing the lusterous field surfaces, and more area for exposure to sulfide oxidation. Allignment is different near the stars with less exposed area.