Question for You Morgan Guys...Re Breast Feathers

RichR

So...last night I was cherrypicking some Morgans that have been in the family forever, and I noted that a couple of the O coins seem to have "lumpy" or rather ill defined breast feather detail...but not typical wear, as the area seems to exhibit decent luster and frost.

And the detail on the rest of the coin looks consistent with a 63+/- grade coin. In looking further, I think I also saw a similar S coin in the lot. Sorry, but I don't have the specific dates with me at work.

So my question is this...are there Unc. Morgans that due to die wear, etc. exhibit weak breast strikes while the rest of the coin looks "normal"? I'm now hesitant to submit them.

LanceNewmanOCC

.
sure the branch mints can often exhibit less-defined details

from my understanding many dies were sent from the philly mint to the branch mints and they just punched the mm into worn dies and continued using them

wouldn't be surprised to find that some reverse dies were used in later years as well
.

AUandAG

Improper strike pressure, worn dies, improper alignment of the dies, can all be a factor
in weak strikes. I'll bet when you revisit those O dollars you find the hair above the ear,
and possibly over the forehead, to be weakly struck as well. Very common on some
early 1890's O dollars. Note that their were dies that were sent to New Orleans that
were originally intended for other Mints. Specifically the 1900 O/CC coins come to mind.

bob

RichR

<I'll bet when you revisit those O dollars you find the hair above the ear, and possibly over the forehead, to be weakly struck as well.>

Bingo...I also noted that. Definitely some flat hair detailing, but with overall luster present.

I had to keep thinking to myself...did I miss something here? Did somebody slip me a slider? Was I drunk that day?

BillJones

<< <i><I'll bet when you revisit those O dollars you find the hair above the ear, and possibly over the forehead, to be weakly struck as well.>

Bingo...I also noted that. Definitely some flat hair detailing, but with overall luster present.

I had to keep thinking to myself...did I miss something here? Did somebody slip me a slider? Was I drunk that day? >>



Many New Orleans mint dollars are poorly struck because the dies were not prepared properly before they placed into service. As a result the center of both sides is often weak on some dates. For example many 1904-O dollars have very weak centers although the luster might be strong. There are a few 1904-O dollars that are fully struck up in the centers. I used to cherry pick those when I was a dealer, and I could get more money for them.

Buzzybest

Please let me know if you find an 1879-O Morgan with a VAM 28 O/Horizontal O. I have one in AU53,but would love a higher graded one.

AUandAG

This is a coin that shows what Mr. Jones is talking about. Not fully struck but a nice coin anyway.
Weak above the ear and almost no breast feathers but nice luster.
bob

roadrunner

Trying to gauge the luster on the weakly struck areas is rather difficult, if not impossible on many coins.

On those coins grade by the other areas, especially open fields, cheeks, necks, wing tips, and even the flat portion of the rim itself. If all those areas are covered with frosty and craggy
looking luster, go by that, not just the weakly struck areas. Of course, this is how many dealers and collectors buy choice Unc coins for AU money (ie by convincing sellers those areas
appear to be worn).