Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 12/3/2009

Question
Hi again Dmitry. I am sending you this question even though you deal with mostly world coins. Your answers are always so quick and very precise.

I purchased a couple of more medium sized collections and came across a beautiful 1878 Morgan Dollar (8 tail feathers) that I think will certify at MS 66 or better. The striking of this particular coin is very good and the eagle breast is more pronounced and rounder than most from this series that is flat. Except for the couple of minor bag or handling marks that can only be seen with magnification aid, it is almost prooflike and has an almost reflective surface. I have several MS66 1878 certified morgans and none compare to how deep and precise this strike is. What is interesting on this coin that to the right side behind the head right where the hat and hair separate is a faint imprint of a leaf with 4 jagged points. It does not match any other design on the coin but is definitely not a hairline or flaw. The die had to have printed this and it appears it may be a design from another type of coin. I cannot find and VAM listed for this coin that explains this.

I detailed the grade precisely because in this set that I bought there were 10 other 1878's and I only really looked closer at this coin because of the boldness and eye appeal was far superior. I might have initially missed the 8 tail feathers if not for this. What are the chances of stumbling across a proof and am I correct that proofs of the day were crude compared to dates further down the line?

Have you ever run across this before or heard of anything similar? Do you think this coin would be worth sending to SGS or PCGS for grading and to be evaluated?

Thanks again for your time.  

Answer
Hi again Todd,
My answer will be limited, since I really do not deal with these types of coins.
The older proofs that I have seen were pretty close to what you expect when you hear the word "proof". Then again, so are the DMPL examples. I can likely tell for sure if I saw a clear picture of the coin. Either way, based on your description, I would certainly send this coin to a grading company. I would personally recommend PCGS for Morgan dollars.
As for the leaf imprint, two or three times I've seen coins that were stamped with tools, such as a leather or wood crafts-person may use to create designs. It's basically a metal rod with the design etched in sharp relief at the bottom, which would be hammered onto the coin. This would decrease the grade, since it's technically considered damage.
When I read your question, the three pointed leaf design reminded me of Canadian silver coins of the period. Unfortunately there were no coins that were similar in size to a Morgan dollar that I would consider the possibility of a rare over-strike. The good news is that there were other dollar-sized foreign coins of that period which also had a leaf design (though not necessarily with three-pointed leaves). If it's possible to take close up and clear photos of that area, I can better tell if this is damage or signs of a possible over-strike. Again, my e-mail is BetweenEarthnSky@yahoo.com.
Thanks again for the question! =)