1895-O Morgan: what am I seeing here?

LRCTom

I have this 1895-O Morgan. On the reverse, I immediately saw what looks like a big diebreak between the tip of the beak and the wing. So I looked in VAM and found nothing like it. Then looking closer (15x and 30x), I saw what appears to *maybe" be an old scratch that may have pushed the metal to where it is. But the scratch, if it is one, doesn't look nearly deep enough to have moved this much metal.

So I don't know what I'm seeing. If it's a variety, somebody would have reported this by now. If it's damage, I don't understand it.

Thoughts appreciated.

...Tom

LeeBone

Only judging from your pics it appears as a die break.

1868LargeCent

It's a die defect. Awesome find!

DennisH

It looks like a die break... and if it is it would be a major new VAM find. We need to put you in touch with a specialist or two. Send me a PM and I'll find someone near you.

topstuf

DISCOVERY COIN !!!!

PLEASE say you found it in a can on one of your walks.

Broadstruck

Snotty Beak variety?

dcarr

I think that is a knife cut (post-mint damage). But better pictures would be necessary to be sure.
At one time there was a 1880-O VAM-2A "Impaled Eagle" that was thought to be a die gouge (raised ridge on coin),
but it was later confirmed as a knife under-cut which raised up a ridge of metal (scroll to bottom for update):
1880-O VAM-2A Morgan Silver Dollar

Nickcap

Is that raised?

We need a picture of the Full Obverse and Date.

Depending on Date positioning, you may have a sub VAM 1, 3, 4 or 5.

Since the MM is not tilted right eliminate 2 & 6.

I don't see a beard on the Eagle, so eliminate 3A.

Next problem is we need to find a higher grade example for it to be listed. Not a big problem though. Most VAM collectors stay away from 95-O because of cost to purchase and no premium. Similar to the 84-S and 89-CC.

Wolf359

Knife cut, worn down. In any case, it's too low a grade to be sure - Leroy would probably say "find another" in a higher grade so I can be certain.

The other thing is on Morgan dollars, die breaks appear at the rim, usually after a clash and move to the center of the coin. Their is only one example I know of that isn't true - the 1891-P VAM-2A. Now on Peace dollars, the
reverse is true, die breaks appear in the middle of the coin and move outward. Design and press issues dominate.

My point being for a die break on a Morgan dollar, I would expect it near the rim, not suddenly appearing in the center of the coin.

Example of a knife cut on a very worn coin:


More information:
1880-O VAM-2A

Wolf359

<< <i>I think that is a knife cut (post-mint damage). But better pictures would be necessary to be sure.
At one time there was a 1880-O VAM-2A "Impaled Eagle" that was thought to be a die gouge (raised ridge on coin),
but it was later confirmed as a knife under-cut which raised up a ridge of metal (scroll to bottom for update):
1880-O VAM-2A Morgan Silver Dollar >>



I was too busy typing and Dan beat me!!!!!

Nickcap

<< <i>Knife cut, worn down. In any case, it's too low a grade to be sure - Leroy would probably say "find another" in a higher grade so I can be certain.

The other thing is on Morgan dollars, die breaks appear at the rim, usually after a clash and move to the center of the coin. Their is only one example I know of that isn't true - the 1891-P VAM-2A. Now on Peace dollars, the
reverse is true, die breaks appear in the middle of the coin and move outward. Design and press issues dominate.

My point being for a die break on a Morgan dollar, I would expect it near the rim, not suddenly appearing in the center of the coin.

>>



jack,

Die break might be the wrong term. Die gouge, similar to the Thornhead, might be a better term.

LanceNewmanOCC

<< <i>I think that is a knife cut (post-mint damage). >>


i am leaning towards this as well. better images would easily confirm.
.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

ricko

Very hard to determine from those pictures.. could be a die gouge.... no conclusion. Cheers, RickO

STONE

It is NOT:
1) A die gouge
2) A die break
3) Any other die anomaly

IT IS:
1) PMD - knife cut (as has been previously mentioned

topstuf

awwwww..... HELL !!!!

Rampage

<< <i>It is NOT:
1) A die gouge
2) A die break
3) Any other die anomaly

IT IS:
1) PMD - knife cut (as has been previously mentioned >>



Agreed, 100 percent.

BlindedByEgo

"Vomiting Eagle?"

Justlooking

"The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable."

-- James Garfield

Hope it is ... but I'm afraid it isn't.

topstuf

Is THIS one a new VAM?



14k TIFFANY Morgan

LRCTom

<< <i>My initial thought was a knife cut of some type as well, note what looks to be a darker, recessed area right below the defect. >>



This was my initial thought, also. There is a dark area that pretty much parallels the raised metal. It's hard to tell if this is recessed, due to the dirt/grime/grease from circulation...if this was a knife cut, it was done long ago. I supposed I could clean out the gunk and explore how deep the area is, to try to estimate whether enough metal could have been moved to cause that effect. But I don't really want to do that.

I'm traveling for a few days. When I get back, I'll use my photo-microscope and see if I can get better pictures.

...Tom

lordmarcovan

<< <i>Snotty Beak variety? >>

This was my thought. I say "Snotrocket Eagle" variety.

Neat. Too bad the consensus seems to be PMD.

PS- I love the Tiffany c/s piece with the 14K stamp. Extremely neat.