RWB

To add a little "negative" evidence -- There are no "branch mint proof coins" for major restart or new designs at any of the branch mints. The only artifacts of new or restarted production are ordinary coins accompanied by certificates. Think of the first Morgan dollars of 1878 - surely a branch mint proof opportunity: none exist. Re-opening of the New Orleans Mint - nope, no proofs. 1921 Morgan dollars - nope, just a small group of engraved coins. The list goes on and on with the same result: no branch mint proofs for special occasions. Only a couple of real branch mint proof coins coincide with a real event and these match standard Philadelphia Mint proofs.

Only the Philadelphia Mint had equipment to strike proof coins. With a few exceptions, everything sold with a claim to be a "branch mint proof" is simply a nice PL uncirculated coin. The exceptions, were evidently made at Philadelphia from dies prepared for other mints. These fit into the category of quality control examples made for the branch mint's coiner so they had a "perfect" example of the coins they were going to make. These largely coincide with introduction of new coin designs, new operation at a branch mint, or changes in master die and/or hub. As for 80s Kid's question, his 1897-S is accurately attributed and graded. It has no legitimate proof coin characteristics. It appears to be a very nice PL example and would be a pleasure to have in almost any collection.

These comments highlight a primary reason for writing FMTM. Awareness and understanding of the machinery and technology in use, allows us to relate to the coins and medals US Mints made. Much of the book comes from my own questions as a beginning collector long ago (and far away...) In its own way the book is filled with answers to my ancient questions - and with many answers that were a surprise. The book also raises new questions, and I hope to answer some of these in FMTM-2 - some day.

I have an extensive database well beyond that available in NNP. Those looking for information from US Mint archives can PM me with their subject and/or request and I will check.

All five "coins" are counterfeits.

Not a pattern or novodel.

Commemorative token of Loube's visit to Russia. Token reverse reads: ВЬ ПАМЯТЬ ПОСЬ ЩЕНІИ РОССІИ In memory of the [visit to] Russia ПРЕЗИДЕНТОМЬ ФРАНЦІИ President of France E. Loube 9 May 1902

The FMTM CD comes with the book - it's not sold separately. (If you bought a new copy from a book seller it would have had the CD inside the clear shrink wrap, with the CD label facing outward. The CD has some ugly colors on the label. This makes it easy to see if someone broke up the original package to illicitly sell the CD separately.) It includes a full resolution PDF of the book, and a low resolution version for phones and similar small-scree devices. It is searchable by any word, phrase or combination of words or number the users desires. In effect, it is a word-by-word index in electronic format.

As Matt G noted on May 1, it's likely a system problem. A range of difficulties have been evident for about a month. It's also possible some of Santa's elves got drunk and started betting on dreidel falls ( nun, gimel, hey or chai, and shin) instead of tending to the server farm.

The photos suggest MS-62 or possibly MS-63. Only a gold sticker would increase desirability, and that would not happen unless the coin were "graded" MS-60 or so.....Just a thought between eggnogs.

Nope.

Doesn't look like the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) to me. Was the beat up Lincoln cent found in the southern hemisphere?

What kind of cheese? (Actually, the fabric pattern is a good match for the bag canvas used in 1890.)

Very nice type coin! Enjoy it!

Gold and silver coins and pattern pieces required reconciliation of bullion accounts. Copper accounts did not for small quantities.

Payments are scattered throughout the decades William and Charles were at the Philadelphia Mint. However, in the case of minor coins and most copper examples, there was no cost because the value was so small. Thomas Acton at the NYAO acquired several pattern dollars in copper at no cost, same for others. Public/museum collections were also give patterns at cost of metal. The famous goloid sets were sold for metal value.

This sample - found in the secret Warsaw Mint archives - is a graphic example of what caused the "polka dots" on the OP's coin. Some experts, including the late Lawrence Welk, considered this the finest example of polka music in the world....well so it says on the internet. (Notice the amazing use of A-flat against G in the bass in bar 21...such stable genius creativity.)

Barber (and his father) paid for the pattern and experimental pieces, and their purchase was not disputed by anyone. Several mint directors did the same for their personal interests or, as in Linderman's case, for the pattern display in his Washington office. (Used with Congress, also.) Patterns were also sold to collectors - sometimes in sets - other times individually. The 1907 patterns were approved for sale by President Roosevelt.

Off hand, I don't see anything unusual...but have not studied Russian coins for a long time.

In the above photo, notice the deranged man with the dagger going after a member of the accordion player's family. The men in armor were there to protect the accordions, not the mint's gold.

Yep. Had one who was going to endow a chair at SI's National Numismatic Collection. Got everything together, coordinated, budgets, etc. The person changed his mind - gave no other reason. No others, individual or corporate, followed-up beyond the "I'll get back to you." stage. At 2,387 years young, I'm too cynical to believe the moneyed care or that the oester bunny runs on batteries.

The 1921 Morgan resembles a counterfeit. Take the coins to a legitimate, experienced coin dealer as get his/her opinion before spending money on authentication. Your 1877 DE is barely VF, the other two 1895-S and 1904 (not 1905) are EF to AU - very common grades....Follow Mark's suggestions.

The standard explanation is it's tarnish from the canvas bag the coin sat in for decades. (In 1890 they were using 9 oz cotton Duck canvas -- I've got the name of the supplier in my database.) [The unconventional version is that the 1890 coin was actually made in the secret Warsaw Mint in Polish Russia. The effect is known as "polka dots" and is caused by the incessant playing of polkas on accordions at the mint. This disturbed the solidification of silver and the pattern resulted from harmonic reinforcement of the accordion reeds vibrating. It's really a very sad chapter in Polish/Russian history - as no clarinets were available.] (Courtesy Roland, Australia, Inc.)

Shhhhhh....don't give away the secret.....

I have approached multiple people. "I'll get back to you," is the standard non-answer.