Definite swirl marks indicating a polishing on the obverse. Was at one time a nice coin, that was pretty harshly cleaned.
Okay, I posted a very large image of the obverse, that I blew up with photoshop-- If you look at the fields to the left and right of Liberty, you can see circular swirl marks, indicating a polishing. In addition, there are gouge marks, indicating that there may have been a whizzing or mechanical polishing as well. Surface of the coin is definitely abraded. Look carefully at the fields.
I'm sorry if I seem dumb here, but what do you mean by swirl mark? I'm still new into buying UNC Morgan's. the other ones I've bought have been graded. I only paid $35 for this one but I was hoping I could use this to see if I'm ready to buy higher priced Morgan's. which obviously I'm not. Any more info would be greatly helpful.
LCS had it graded as MS. Has luster and everything. I do now see the faint lines in the field. I didn't even notice that in the coin shop.
Looks like you paid about $10 too much after being cleaned its really only worth melt especially being a common date.
Thanks for the pictures. I'm a visual learner. Thanks everyone. Wish I could even find cleaned Morgan's for $26! They want $29 for culls.
[FONT=&]If you're going to buy raw 1921 Morgans, be careful with paying premiums unless it is definitely of a high grade. Ch AU and low MS coins often get dumped into the junk category. They are painfully common and the redesign was poorly done, so these are not that popular, at least compared to pre-21. On the bright side, there are many interesting varieties to search out of such things interest you. To add to what the others have said about hairlines and/or polishing, it would be wise for you to take the time to learn the difference between die polishing lines and damage from cleaning (hairlines, scratches, etc). There are many 1921's (as well as other types and issues) with heavy die polish/file lines that, to the novice eye, could easily be mistaken for cleaning damage. Not that this is the case with your coin, but if you use it as an example and take the time to compare, it could help to give you a better understanding of what is and what is not mint made. Here is a rather extreme example for the OP; cleaning or die polishing? [/FONT]
Glad you took a guess. Here is a link for you: http://www.vamworld.com/1921-P+VAM-3AM Like I said, this was a rather extreme example and die polishing can be much, much more subtle, so it would be a good thing to learn to identify the differences. As I mentioned before, there are lots of varieties (VAMs) for the 21-P, so check out the main list from the above site. Even if such things really do not interest you, taking the time to try and identify your coin will at least be educational and help develop an eye for detail.
I always quetion a silver coin that is to white. Carry this one around whenever you go looking at coins and compare it will become evident as to what is cleaned. When my family goes looking at coins they always go to the shiny white ones......I just snicker at them along with the coin dealer....heehee
