Hello. This is my first post, and I am hoping some of the many experts here can offer a little input on this 1887 Morgan. It was included in a large number of Morgans that my father owned. Is this a mint error? If so, what kind? Or, is it post-mint damage? It's hard for me to see it as post-mint because the coin is otherwise uncirculated and was included with many other uncirculated coins. But, I look forward to hearing your input. Thanks for your help!
First, welcome to the neighborhood! There is no question in my mind that it is damage. You can see the coin metal that has been pushed out of the gouges. If the anomaly had been created during the minting process, you would not see this "crater effect" along the gouges. Your assumption that it has, otherwise, uncirculated details and was found among other uncirculated coins is wrong. This coin is more than 130 years old, and there is no way of knowing where it has been in that journey. One last thing. All Morgan and Peace Dollars are classified as VAM's. It is the system of designating varieties that was developed by Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis and published in their book, Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of Morgan and Peace Dollars, 4th Edition in 1991. It is still used today, and Mr. Van Allen continues to attribute all submissions for authentication. Chris
