Wow this is an old thread. Glad it got bumped though. The Philadelphia mint being the first mint and closest to where all the action was, was the premier mint back then. The branch mints were not equal to it. Dies were shipped out (by horse and buggy) from Philadelphia to the branch mints and so they (branch mints) probably just "made do" longer with their dies while Philadelphia had the ability to replace whatever, whenever as needed or desired. Even though silver is a relatively soft metal, you use a die hundreds of thousands of times, eventually it gets worn down. Who knows how many strikes they got out of them. Maybe millions. If only they knew how important first strike designations would be in the future.
I've had a 1921 MORGAN s, and then came across a 1921 PEACE; could someone kindly tell us the backstory? Has this occurred in any other U.S. mintage, i.e., two different coins minted for the same year? I'd like to obtain a 1921 PEACE (I prefer that design) ...
It's happened, many, many times! In 1857 we had both large and small cents minted...1909 saw both Indian Head and Lincoln cents...in the 1860s and 1870s we had both silver and nickel 3-cent pieces being made...1883 had two different 5 cent pieces...1916 dimes AND quarters...the list goes on and on. I suggest you get a Red Book and read about the different types.
Recently acquired 2 from harland j. Berk in Chicago...ms62 1885 O.... Excellent. Will save you as a reference!!