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I wish this 1903-S Morgan dollar was problem free - added mm?
KollectorKing
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I took it to the “biggest” dealer & was told the s was added. What say you?
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If you can handle it at a lower grade or two, carry it around in your pocket for a year or two.
Well it is not. Put some acetone on it as those spots may come off. Anyway, the coin is cleaned and cannot be hurt. Only the eye appeal can be improved so get it conserved.
I think people are missing your question about the "Added Mintmark"....(So I'm restating it here for you).
As for my opinion....something about it doesn't look right to me. But that opinion, and $5, will get you a cup of coffee....
Yes, I for one missed it. That is the danger of HUGE photos and then a line of text afterward. Oh well.
Dealer's are a funny breed. Some wouldn't know a coin was genuine if they watched it drop off the press. This is a coin it makes sense to alter; however, the "S" is the right shape. Tip it on its side under a very strong light and look for an undercut.
Yeah....I'm going to amend my "doesn't look right" comment. I initially thought it looked too "open". But looking at CoinFacts, the 03S mint mark does in fact look like that....
Doesn't mean it's real...but does mean you shouldn't listen to me.
.Based on those pics I say it is real.
Not an added S
bob
vam3-centered mint mark tilted to left
VAM 4. C4/C3 reverse, normal date, S slightly high with slight tilt to the left.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Matches the coinfacts s. Authentic s IMO.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
MM is ok, just the cleaning problem maybe @JBK is right, and silver dollars feel great in your pocket, if you don't mind losing a couple of points.
I dunno. The S on my worn, retoned, POS raw 1903-S is dead vertical & looks nothing like that one.
Maybe mine's the fake.
(tho' it looks pretty good in this photo?)
@ranshdow
Your coin looks like a Vam -1
vamworld.com/1903-S%20VAM-1
SWEET
If you want to get rid of some of the cleaning look - and some of those awful spots - try rubbing it between your fingers for a few minutes. The oils will help losen the toning, and the grunge will give it a bit of an antiqued look. I have saved a few hairlines and cleaned Pillar dollars that way.
This technique is known as "thumbing," and it is considered to be a form of doctoring. The graders should catch this, they have in the past, but if you can get it under the wire, it's one more way to beat the system.
The MM looks authentic to me...The coin itself has a lot of dings and wear...Not a high grade coin... Are you planning to send in some of these coins? I know you have had them for a long time and we enjoy seeing them.. just wondering if you intend to have some graded. Cheers, RickO
Judging from your photos and comparing them to authenticated examples... the MM looks authentic to me also... as for the coin itself.. all I can say is it's circulated.
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Just kidding!
Mint mark looks OK, you just need to pocket piece this coin!
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thumb the side of the nose first
Messy Desk already indicated the Vam number and it's authenticity. It's been cleaned. To take the shine off of it pocket piece might be your only option.
I use it as a way to try to make an ugly or problem coin more palatable. Not too concerned about getting it graded. I use both thumbs... and a couple of fingers. It's my definition of a little rub on a coin.
Then put it in your pocket to finish the look off.