GBrad

@JKK and @Oldhoopster I did some digging around and came across this website copied and pasted below. First of all, I applaud those of you who are into Ancient coins and know your stuff. I can't believe how many different types and varieties there are of something like this one simple coin I have posted. It blows my mind. Anyway, thanks for the link to wildwinds Hoop. From there, I was able to go to another website and came upon the coin in the link below. It has the B on the reverse, much like my coin, but there are still a lot of other differences in the placement and orientation of the design both obverse and reverse but still have, for the most part, the same features. I was able to find a B (mintmark?? not sure what to call it) on the reverse on another example of this era which is similar to mine. The coin in the link below, and my coin, appear to be a Cyzicus, 323-370 A.D., and not what I thought I had (at this point I am in a brain fog, not exactly sure). Any further help would be much appreciated if one so desires to dig into this one any deeper than has already been done. Thank you all! Edit: Sorry @Oldhoopster, it's late and I just read your post again and realized that you called this one correctly at a Cyzicus which I also found this to be. I think I am going back to my new found love of Morgans........ and just enjoy looking at Ancients.... My apologies. http://tomross.ancients.info/Emperor Images/Aurelian/listing_by_ric.htm

Thank you Hoopster. I saw that B as well but I have no idea what it means. I am looking up your reference now. Thanks.

@JKK East to West across the obverse is approximately 24mm give or take a few tenths of hundredths. North to South on the obverse is approximately 23.28mm give or take a just a few tenths of hundredths. This was the best I could do with my metal Digital caliper but it should be extremely close. I don't usually use this one for coins being that they don't have any cushion or protection in touching the edge of the coin. Thank you for any input.

This is a result of a completely worn out die and possibly a spooned or dryer coin to throw in the mix (probably not) but IMO is more a result of severe circulation wear. It is not an error.

Error-ref.com can answer many, if not most, of the oddities on the coins you are finding. Spend some time perusing the website and you will learn a tremendous amount.

A good friend gave this coin to me tonight. He is not a collector but I was extremely grateful for his gift. I have been researching its origins. I believe the marks on the reverse, XXI, mean it is 1/20th of an Aurelian. I understand Aurelian was a soldier and became an Emperor through his display of strength and courage as a soldier. He also started the wall around Rome and I believe defeated another nation as a leader. That's about as far as I am right now in my learning experience with this one. It weighs approximately 3.81 - 3.85 grams. I have placed a Nickel next to this coin for diameter and thickness comparisons. I'm still going to research more into this one but wanted to go ahead and post it in hopes of getting some feedback tonight. Thanks.

Agree 100% with Greenstang. Split plating and die deterioration. Throw in a few contact marks, particularly the eyelid, and this is a normal run of the mill business strike Linc. The beard is still there but the relief is not which is most likely from wear and circulation damage.

Heck.... I would have those beautiful photos professional framed and find a very prominent spot in my house to display them! It's extremely nice that you offered them as a donation out of the goodness of your heart Bill but I have to agree with @Hoghead515 on his comment. In addition, we as Americans are only promised two things in life- Death and Taxes!!!!! . Not taking away from your excellent story and pics Bill, just throwing in some humor here buddy.

Dream on Gregory.........🙄

Thank you Hog. On second thought, as I sat here and pondered....., I had an epiphany!!! I think I am going to start my new quest for this set- France 20 Francs Rooster Gold Coins 1901-1914!! I think @Quintus Arrius would be very proud (however, I know nothing about them but hey.... I didn't know anything about Morgans a few months ago either!!!)

Those are truly amazing original photos Bill. What a tremendous feat those men accomplished by chiseling away all that rock to create the masterpiece they did. Thanks for sharing the pics with us.

Thanks guys for all your comments and replies. I appreciate it. Not sure what's next @ronnie stein and @Coinbuf.

Everything on that 1974D looks odd to me....

In ending, here are two more pics I just took showing a little bit of its luster even though small. It is a beautiful coin to me and I am overly happy to have it. Thanks guys!

@VKurtB @RWB@124Spider @J P Mashoke. Thank you all for your replies. I just now opened my computer and looked at the pics I posted earlier on this thread which I posted and did from my cell phone. Although the pics are semi-decent, but too dark and lifeless, I am not happy with them. I should have waited until I got home, took some better pictures, viewed and posted them from my computer. This Morgan does still retain some original luster despite the my pictures but I would consider it to be uncirculated with coin in hand. It has some very light wear on the high spots but I am fairly certain it would grade in the mid to high AU range. The reverse that you spoke of Kurt does not appear to be cleaned (good observation). I looked at this coin with the highest power triplet lens loupes I own, a 12x and a 20x (that you can see a hair on a gnat's arse...), and what I am seeing around IGWT and above that in STATES are extremely small flow lines that are causing that frosty look. I appreciate all of the responses. I am pretty pleased with this Morgan, especially being an S Mint which I never thought I'd be able to afford in even this decent of condition, and the best thing is is that I only gave $110 bucks for it. I have no intentions of submitting it so that is even a better deal to me. Thanks all!

Just got this one in the mail today. It’s obviously raw but I took a small gamble and went ahead and got it off EBay. This completes my 1883 Morgan year set, first Silver Dollar set I’ve ever compiled. Not really a big deal in the grand scheme but I do feel a sense of accomplishment having done this especially when I thought the San Fran would never happen. Please give me your professional opinions of a grade on this Morgan. The pics are pretty much a good representation of this coin. It does still have luster and minimal chatter. Thanks!

HOW SO TRUE!!!!!!!

Not a stupid question at all. These are the types of valid and genuine questions that we like to see and answer here. I learned something new myself from @Lem E. I'm not a Dime collector but I did not know that Dime Proofs were not candidates for the FB designation on the label. Thanks for the info Lem!

Sorry Kurt... couldn't resist commenting as I did knowing your stance on '64 SMS's (I'm in the same camp as well)..... NOW.... where are my emergency supply of eye sticking needles???? I will FedEx them to you if you need more.....

Yes! After watching those 'excellent Utube vids'....the next things that will be posted here are a slew of 1964 SMS's!!!! Oh My.....

Hello Roger. I did not serve in the Military but I tried my damnedest. I had a minor heart condition that dictated otherwise. I chose Law Enforcement as my respectful effort, and career, to serve my community and my Country (Not taking anything away from my beloved Veterans who truly Served our Country!) since I was not able to do so in our Military. Just for the record, I do not baste myself, that is gross. When I eat too much then yes,.... I become stuffed.... and lastly, I do not have a pop-up thermometer.... my wife knows when I'm done.

Found this one in my mailbox the other day @Hoghead515!!!!! I can't seem to get enough gold lately now that I've been bit by that darn bug...... I know it's from ICG but aside from just a few small copper spots on this one, I can't find the first mark or blemish at all (scratches are on the holder). I'm loving my gold coins (this is just my second one and probably will be for awhile especially if the "warden" catches on...... ).

Just for the record (even though my name was not mentioned, yet), in my post above, I was not bashing any Ebay sellers at all. I was just trying to add some knowledge and what to look for when purchasing coins if you are new to doing this.... just trying to help out. There are a whole lot of good sellers on the Bay. Hopefully my comment was not taken the wrong way.

That's absolutely incredible, almost unbelievable, that you "Just found this in your mailbox a few hours ago"!!! I could only wish someone would just put something like this "In my mailbox".... Lucky you!!! What a BEAUTIFUL Quarter!!!!