the look of 1921 Morgans

XpipedreamR · October 7, 2006 12:23PM

1921 Morgans have a different look than other years. I can't quite think of how I would best describe the difference to someone unfamiliar with the coins. We all know that a picture is worth 1000 words, but what words would you use to describe the "look" of a 1921 Morgan as compared to earlier issues? Preferably, less than 1000 of them.

Thanks

DorkGirl · October 7, 2006 12:35PM

They look wrong, just wrong.........

I'm a woman of few words

Leiana · October 7, 2006 12:38PM

Well, they had to make entirely new hubs because they lost the old ones.

-Amanda

Dabigkahuna · October 7, 2006 1:15PM

They don't look that bad to me.

Larry
Dabigkahuna

Coxe · October 7, 2006 1:21PM

Amanda is right. There is one distinguishable obverse hub type (IV) and two reverse hub types (D1 and D2). They were used to prepare the 1921 dies, were exclusively on that date and is the only Morgan design used in 1921. On both the obverse and reverse the legend (and LIBERTY) lettering is noticeably different from the other Morgan dates. A feature to pick up on the obverse is the blunt tip of the eyelid; there is no eyelash on Liberty. The reverse is more striking. Initially, it resembles the B2 reverse of 1878 with parallel arrow feathers. The feathers don't look like feathers though and the nock is different. there is bend in the branch between the two talons closest to the leaves. The leaves are different, the one closest to the berry is usually a simple differentiator. D1 and D2 differ in a few ways but primarily in the number of berries in the wreath, D1 has 17 while D2 has 16. The 17h berry of the D1 reverse is a very small one on the left side right across from the top right berry on the right wreath.

anablep · October 7, 2006 2:39PM

Liberty looks flat.

Very much more flat.

Hard to describe.

Lower relief, less life-like.

I don't like the eagle's breast "feathers" on the 1921 compared to the other dates, even the 1878 mintages.

They don't look like feathers.

Although Dabigkahuna's image is quite wonderful, even in that high grade the eagle looks scrawny.

I like the look of my 1921, but it still looks different from the one's below in the sig line.

Coxe · October 7, 2006 2:51PM

Here is a 1921 Morgan for you. While all those guys are out looking for ones with cracks and breaks, here is something you hardly ever see, a 1921-D cameo.

prooflike · October 7, 2006 2:56PM

the hair and breast feathers are different than previous years... the hair above the ear is of lower relief and the breast feathers are totally different.

Dabigkahuna · October 7, 2006 2:57PM

Wow!

You don't see a 21' PL very often, very nice!

There is definitely a difference. Maybe not as noticeable as a high and low relief Peace dollar but it is there.

ibzman350 · October 7, 2006 4:47PM

<< <i>They don't look that bad to me.

Larry
Dabigkahuna >>

Interesting rev., I have the obv. that belongs to your 21 and itza 1n also

Herb

seemyauction · October 7, 2006 8:05PM

I've noticed a big difference in the Nose, Mouth, Chin area....anyone else see it?

ABC123 · October 7, 2006 9:39PM

Beauty, is in the Eye of the Holder !

anablep · October 7, 2006 11:44PM

Yes! The chin & nose differ. Chin is more pointy in the 1921 I think.

ibzman350 · October 8, 2006 12:02AM

Prooflike........................thanx for a great post

I've finally seen some of the diff. between the 2 dates, thanx.

Herb

Coxe · October 8, 2006 12:07AM

The profile on Liberty is different on the IV obverse. The inside of the ear is also. I am sure Leroy Van Allen must get that year sent to him a lot for doubled ear candidates for new finds as the lower and lower right inside of the ear on the hub have that appearance. All 1921 Morgans (all mints) have that look. They also all have a small dot, looks like a pit, behind the upper lip inside the mouth.

1921obsession · October 8, 2006 12:29AM

In a single phrase? Less sophisticated. Not that it's stopping me.

Frankcoins · October 8, 2006 12:32AM

George Morgan had to recreate his work of 1878 43 years later without use of the original hubs,
tools, punches, etc.

jmj3esq · October 8, 2006 12:44AM

They tend to look real satiny to me. A little flater too. I like it on the high end mint state ones.

RWB · October 8, 2006 2:26AM

In late 1904 director Roberts ordered suspension of silver dollar production. He also indicated that there was no intention by the Treasury Department to make more at any time in the future. The original Morgan dollar hubs and master dies were destroyed in May 1910.

With the Pittman Act of 1918 requiring the purchase of domestic silver and its coinage into silver dollars, the mint needed a design to use. Since the Morgan design was the last approved design, it could be used with minimum delay. The flat-relief 1921 Morgan dollars were produced from February 21 to November 16 in Philadelphia, February 21 to December 30 in Denver, and February 23 to December 30 in San Francisco.

There are two versions of how the modified design was created: 1- several existing coins were used to impress a new master die for each side of the coin. This was extensively retouched by Morgan and used to make a new master hub. 2 - Morgan used the reducing lathe with the ratio inverted to cut a new wax model from an existing coin. The model was retouched and used to make a galvano. This was reduced in the normal manner to make a new master hub. (My preference is for version #2 since it is consistent with other die making processes used by the mint during Morgan's employment.)

The differences between 1921 and earlier date pieces are due to mechanical copying and hand retouching.

the look of 1921 Morgans

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