Vess1

I purchased an 1899-O Morgan today that was in a 2x2. I analyzed if for a very long time because I'm paranoid of buying Chinese counterfeit crap.

Everything looks right on this coin. It has great cartwheel luster. A few minor scratches towards the back of the cheek. The reverse is very clean. No MS-64 but I estimated it to be at least a strong MS-63. I liked it and ended up walking out with it. If it is a MS63, I paid well under book for it. Definitely not cleaned.

I got home and noticed the mintmark was different from earlier years but it appears they made the O slightly larger by 1899 in looking at other examples. It weighs in at 26.74 g. The spec is 26.73 g. The digital caliper reads it at 37.9 mm. Spec is 38.1 mm. I normally don't have coins fall this close to spec.

I feel it pretty much checks out but then there's this very fine hairline crack, barely visible to the eye, at the top of the obverse. It starts at the "U" in Pluribus, extends to the wheat stalks?, then continues in the field to the back of the cap and goes part way on to the cap. Then starts again at the very back of the cap goes to the second "U" in Unum and stops. Then continues in the center of that U on the field.

I can see it with no magnification but it just appears to be a fine scratch. Under magnification it looks like a fine crack. Thinner than a hair. I thought die cracks typically cause raised portions on the coin? Is this something to be concerned with?

I looked on Heritage at other 1899-Os and found similar looking cracks on several high grade PCGS coins. I have never noticed them before.

Anyone have any info?

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