I know there are a number of Morgan collectors here but this could equally be an issue those familiar with the maintenance of dies can answer.. This 1902 - O has, around the eagles left wing tip, a series of deep gouges. Are these heavy polishing marks on the die or die wear? They do not appear anywhere else, just around the wingtip.
Well if it is the same marks will be found on many others of the same date/mint. And if they are then it should be, stress should be, a known VAM. I'm curious what John would have to say - @messydesk
I spent a view minutes on Vamworld and didnt see anything obvious that matched. There are a TON of Vams for this date/mm.
I'm not sure what caused those marks. I say that because, at least to my eyes, they appear to be incuse. And if they were on the die and produced incuse marks on the coin then they would have to be raised on the die. And the only way that could happen would be if they were incuse marks on the hub. And that, well, that's pretty dang unusual. And if they were on the hub then most of the dies from that date/mint would all have the same marks. Which means all coins from those dies would have them too. Now since I've never seen marks like those on that date/mint coin before, it seems highly unlikely that's what they are. But at the same time it also seems highly unlikely that those marks, given their location and look, are post strike damage. Which is why I'm not sure what caused those marks.
I think the photo is exaggerating these marks, possibly making them look like something they aren't. They should be metal flow lines, as I can see signs of die fatigue in the full-coin picture around some of the lettering, but they look too pronounced and they have an incuse look to them.
I would want to see a better picture to be sure, but it appears to have been some sort of problem with the planchet. The problem with this theory is that I would expect to see the continuations of the lines on the wingtip. We really need to see better pictures, perhaps with the lighting from different angles.
Die polishing would show raised lines on the coin. I think these are all damage on the planchet. Look like striations from pulling the strip out where it was grabbed by pliers.
OK, Sorry for the delay guys. It is now late Sunday evening here in Spain. Apart from varying the lighting, is there a particular angle you would like to see, or shall I show a variety of angles
Thank you for the extra pictures. I am now convinced that the lines were in the planchet prior to the strike.
Also, as no one has mentioned it yet, I think they add an interesting feature to your already beautiful piece.
Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - maybe. But as I've already said I don't have an explanation. And I'm skeptical because, typically, most marks on a planchet are obliterated by the strike. Or at the very least somewhat so, even severe marks. And those, well they just don't show any sign of it. Severe planchet marks in the fields should be pushed in, partially closed by the strike and metal flow, and those appear to be too sharp, too distinct. This is one those that leaves me shaking my head. And those don't happen very often. But they do happen.
