1889 Morgan Die Stress Fracturing

78750Aggie

Ran across this issue while searching for VAM's, but couldn't attribute. What could have caused this? Starts at about the P in Pluribus and ends at the S.
Grade opinions welcomed.

coinkid855

I believe that is simply die fatigue...No fracturing, just a wearing down of the die. It's pretty common, and adds no premium. I see a lot of this on 1886's for some reason. I'll see if I can find a picture for ya.




-Paul

streg2

What about the doubling of the B and S?

Gary

AUandAG

<< <i>What about the doubling of the B and S?

Gary >>



Are you sure that's BS?

I see the B but not the S!

lol
bob

Rampage

It is just die wear as stated. That initself does not designate a specific VAM. The doubling will, so check that out on VAMworld.

kwmorgan

Philly ran the Morgan dies till they were about to fly apart. Back then, I have a feeling the mindset was why do regular die changes for an unwanted coin that is just going to be bagged and stored for who knew how long. I have a 1888 that has an absoutely wretched reverse.

anablep

This 1889 shows obverse die stress in the fields near the date, under Liberty and to Liberty's left.

messydesk

1889 is notorious for crappy, eroded dies. I'm not sure if die preparation or overuse is to blame, but I suspect the former. What you have is typical die erosion.