Hello folks, Found this in a lot of Morgan Dollars from a collection. Could this by chance be a proof that someone spent and it ended up in circulation? The strike is amazing and really stands out from near any others that I have or have seen, but I do not have a reference one. Thanks folks!
The strike makes you think this could be an impaired Proof? I don't think the strike is all that great. The hair above Liberty's ear is not fully struck and the eagles breast feathers are not fully struck. Looks like a normal Business Strike to me.
Looks like its been cleaned or polished to me. That is why it might have a proof like appearence. A proof should have a very bold strike, this one seems like a normal 1883 Morgan Dollar. Sorry!
It is a normal business strike. Notice the reeding mark on the cheek area. This is caused by the coin falling into a bin or into a bag, and is part of the striking of business strikes. Proofs were handled individually. The surfaces also do not look proof like, and the edges are not proof like. To explain, look at the two coins below from Heritage ( www.ha.com ~ it is free to join ) This first one is a proof. click on the Biggest photo possible ( look Closer button) and look at the field ( say near the chin) and notice that the surface is smooth, and then look at the very edge of the coin. Notice that the outer rim is very flat and right angle appearing) http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=1173&lotNo=3568#85478547223 Then look at this one the same way, and notice that the surface appears somewhat granular, since no polishing took place before the strike. The edge is also much more rounded than that of the proof. http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=131235&lotNo=26277#Photo The strike, luster, shininess, and lack of marks, can not determine a proof as variations can occur. The surface and edge can IMO. Of course a good eye or scope is needed to be sure usually. Jim
To be fair, I've seen plenty of circulated proof halves with similar marks. The mint isn't the only place that coins get dropped into bags and bins.
Ok, I accept that, but as that would be much less common than a business strike doing so. I will even say it is possible although rather farfetched that its granulated surface is due from a proof surface being roughed up somehow, but it would have to be purposely damaged for the rounded ( chamfered) edges to get that way for a proof. All factored together effectively eliminates the possibility it is/was a proof. IMO. Jim
You will get better response if you start a new thread for that question rather than asking it in a thread about a possible Proof Morgan Dollar.
