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1878-CC Morgan Dollar -- Worn die, or messed with?
Connecticoin
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Would like some opinions on this 1878-CC Silver Dollar (see photos attached). The coin's surfaces appear "textured" or "pebbly", which looked somewhat like the surfaces may have been smoothed. In looking through some 78-CC Morgan Trueviews, some of the coins show some texture, especially on the neck, but not to this degree. So has this coin been "smoothed", or is it something else (late die state?)
Thanks in advance!
2
Comments
The parallel lines running diagonally on her face do not look ‘as struck,’ and suggest (to me) that the coin was cleaned at one time.
30+ years coin shop experience (ret.) Coins, bullion, currency, scrap & interesting folks. Loved every minute!
looks hammered to me. Nice coin
Looks whizzed.
It could be a "baking soda special".
On the web: http://www.earlyus.com
Hard to tell from photo, but luster looks off.
@Connecticoin I’d tend to think of it as “Late Die State” worn die pebbly textured, and those parallel lines could be planchet “Roller Mark” striations.
I’ve seen a combination of those characteristics on several 1878-CC Morgan Dollars.
The coin looks MS-63 to 64 to me based on your posted images.
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
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Thanks for the comments, hopefully others can weigh in.
I agree on the minor planchet roller marks and the hammered part - great strike.
The luster looks off but it may be the lighting & contrast instead?
The pebbly texture isn't over the top, and I subjectively see it closer to a 66, really nice coin if all is legit.
Below is a coin sold in 2018 at Heritage, an NGC 67, and similar to yours - both are a VAM 22 fyi...
https://coins.ha.com/itm/morgan-dollars/silver-and-related-dollars/1878-cc-1-ms67-ngc/a/1271-4924.s?ic4=ListView-Thumbnail-071515
@MFeld What say ye?
Curious what your opinion might be.
I would be cautious unless i was able to see the coin in hand, whizzed or tooled in my opinion.
I don’t have a firm opinion based on the image provided. Currently, I wouldn’t be surprised if the coin graded approximately MS66 or if it was labeled as cleaned. Additional obverse shots and some reverse pictures might help.
What do you see that makes you think tooling is a possibility?
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
You really should post more images. Looking at the obverse it looks okay to me but the reverse could reveal some issues or not.
Either way thanks for posting the image for this discussion. That's what this forum is for.
I had to edit my post. I noticed that whenever someone posts a coin and ask "does this coin have this problem" whatever it is I feel your setting yourself up for unnecessary scrutiny.
Just a thought.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
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It would have to be seen in hand and by an expert. I do know for some 19th Century issues rusted die splayed havoc. i do think it was more common with new Orleans coins though. James
@Connecticoin - The minor obverse die crack in your posted photo at 6:00 to 7:00, extending from under the “18” in the date, through and below the first 2 stars to the left of the date, would imply an intermediate to later die state to lend support of the later die state contributing to its apparent pebbly surface texture.
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
@MFeld Perhaps tooled was the incorrect term to use, the surface just doesn’t look correct in my opinion.
I posted my PCGS MS63. Typical baggy 63 cheek but it does show the same type of surface. As stated above '78CC's can be "frosty". Don't know...looks like a killer coin if original. Take care...CC
Thanks for the additional comments. Following below are additional photos, obverse and reverse, shot straight-on, and then with a modest tilt.
Looks much better in new photos
Looks ok to me
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Surfaces Smoothed
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Those are much more flattering photos - Send it in and see what happens!
30+ years coin shop experience (ret.) Coins, bullion, currency, scrap & interesting folks. Loved every minute!
Hmm, this gives me some hope to get a straight grade. I will send it in and report back with results. At a minimum, it will be very educational.
Good luck.
Please keep us posted!