Hi. This is my first post to this forum. I lurked here for a while and finally registered a few weeks ago. What a great website. I'm finally posting because I think I have a question worth asking. I was at my parents' house last night and my wife started sorting through some old jewelry that belonged to my great-grandmother. I wasn't paying much attention until she pulled out a Mogan dollar. It had a hole drilled at the top for a necklace...you guessed it...right around where the mint mark would be. Being away from home, I didn't have my redbook with me, so when I saw the 1893 date, I didn't think much of it. I have maybe 50-60 Morgans, but most are common dates. It wasn't until this morning that I bothered to look up the value for the '93 dollars. Here is my question. If I send it to NGC or PCGS, is there any chance they'd be able to tell which mint it came from without a mark? Are there distinct enough die varieties to be able to tell from other clues on the coin? One more thing worth mentioning...the hole may be a bit to the left of center, and I don't see any hint of a mint mark which made me think maybe there was nothing there to begin with. Who knows. I'll try to snap some pics later. Now, I just need to drive over there and get it, so I can compare it to some of my Morgans. I didn't pay really close attention last night since I didn't know how valuable it was. PS--I've been collecting coins off and on since I was 6, so please don't think I'm going to post a single question and bail. I'm actively collecting again and here to stay. Thanks in advance for any and all advice.
yeah because the hole ruined it. dont get me wrong you might find someone that collects holed coins that pay more for it.
In case the coin started out life as an 1893-S, here is a way that might help you identify it as such - from a Heritage auction description:
If he can prove it is a legit 93-S there will be a buyer at a premium. I"m wondering if ANACS would slab it as I hgihly doubt PCGS or NGC would.
Man, that is a disappointment! But, if it does turn out to be a S, then you might have a little something there. To my knowledge, PCGS nor NGC will slab or authenticate it, with it being damaged. But, ANACS will I think. They probably will be able to indentify if it is a S or not. But, post a pic here first, cause 1. Some of the experts here will be able to tell you if it is worth submitting or not and 2. (You'll probably be shocked to read this) We like to see coins. Best of luck. :thumb: Phoenix
I agree. The 93-s with a hole in it could still be pretty valuable. It would be to me. Of course it will be discounted due to damage, but is still waaaaayyyy more valuable than a common date coin. I hope you have an S.
own one coin with a hole it it. its a 1907 IHC. I got it when I was 9 or 10 when some one gave it to me with a bunch of old change. I wouldnt buy a coin with a hole in it. unless it was pure gold and then i would just buy it at melt and then melt it.
But that is just you Oldman. If that's an S there is a home for it. Someone needs that coin and can't afford even an original G4. This would be the perfect hole filler as it were and yes I DID intend that horrible pun.
I agree. I've seen holed coins sell for not much less than a non-holed coin, simply because a hard to aquire key, is still a hard to aquire key regardless and a serious buyer will be willing to purchase a damaged piece. Check Heritage to confirm this. Guy~
Welcome! I don't think PCGS or NGC would help you. ANACS should. As mentioned, there are features on the obverse that can be checked. Van Allen and Mallis believe there was only one die pair used. Another group believe there was one obverse die and two reverse dies used. Wouldn't be worth pursuing with ANACS unless you can match the obverse die features of the 93-S. If it is an 'S' mint, it would have a premium even with the hole. Usually I see holes drilled between the D and O of DOLLAR. It would have to in a different position to cover (or remove) the entire mint mark. Some info can be found here.
OK, I have some new info, but no pics yet. I just took about 10 shots with my camera and they were all horrible. Between the reflection and blurry focus, they aren't worth posting. I guess I've never tried to take a close shot of anything until now. Sony 6.0 megapixel...your basic $250 digital camera from Best Buy last year. Should I bother looking through the manual, or are these types of cameras always really bad at taking pics of coins? Maybe there is a setting I could adjust. Anyway, on to the coin. I took it to the friendliest shop here and the owner put it under a microscope. He said it doesn't have the right stuff to be an S. We also think that if it was a Carson City, the C on the right side would be a bit visible, but there is nothing. Looks like either a plain or O. I guess it makes me feel better that they didn't drill a REALLY valuable coin.
Klunky, Sorry to hear that it is not an 1893-S! Many Digital Cameras are not suited for taking pictures of coins and especially close-ups of Mint Marks and Errors. You should purchase a decent Gem Loupe with at least two lens' with a magnification of 5x + 5x = 10x of some other variation. There are other Loupes that have three lens' that are pretty nice as well. I use a 5x + 5x with a lens diameter which is about the same as my Camera's lens. You can hold the Gem Loupe lens to the Camera lens and with a little patience, trial & error and experience, you will be able to get some fair to excellent close-up pictures of coins. Frank
Here is an image of the obv diagnostic in LIBERTY for the 93-S Notice the die gouge between the R & T above the right foot of the R, and the "rabbit" die chip inside the left foot of the R.
