This is an 1880-P. It looks great in hand; lots of luster, cartwheels, a little gold toning. Just one odd thing. There are a few small areas with a strange surface. It looks sandblasted. At first, I thought it was caused by the removal of PVC. The surface looks too consistent in these areas. Then I was thinking the planchet wasn't prepared right. Now I'm leaning toward environmental damage from bad storage.... like condensation collecting in these few areas. I really don't know. On the obverse, it's over the date, at the base of B, and between U & S. The reverse has a couple of even smaller areas. Any ideas?
I just want to say one thing,NICE PICS nesvt!!! Showing all the detail and everything.Keep up the great pics.:thumb:
Almost like a drop of mild acid and then a blotter was used to remove the fluid. For what reason, I can only guess.
That's a great description. That's exactly what it looks like. ...and congratulations on the upcoming 1000 posts OldDan!!!
I'd say it's the result of some type of cleaning, no idea what though - Dan may well be right. I would also say it is not uncommon to see this "sandblasted" look on Morgans. Take a look at your avatar nesvt.
Thanks GD and everyone else. My avatar's image is a bit off. The coin is VG at best, the picture was taken a while back with a lamp leaning on the coin, the white balance is way off (coin is light grey), and it got pixilated when reducing the size. I just wish those tiny strange areas where not on the 80-P.... or it was consistently over the entire coin. Guess I better switch to bifocals like the doc suggested.
