Woods020

I am behind the times, I guess. I prefer my index in the back of the book.

I think DCAM may be a stretch….

I still have an MS70 1943 copper cent that looks like a shoe. I rebuke any statement to the contrary. This MS70 1943 copper cent looks EXACTLY like a shoe. (Cited from: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/gold-bronze-1978-d-penny-error.262444/page-2#post-7547914)

I think it was a lot of on the job training of people who got their jobs initially via patronage. 

Charles Barber tried multiple times to standardize everything relating to dies, but didn't get much cooperation until after New Orleans closed. The basic problem was that many of the presses were more or less custom built, which meant limited interchangeability of parts and little standardization. If a die stake cracked, a new one had to be made in the Mint's machine shop or by the company that made the press (Morgan & Orr, for example). There was no overall repair and replacement plan, so each mint managed equipment independently. The only time there was a common coin press was from 1837 to about 1845 when all the presses were built on Franklin Peale's plan and scaled according to his design drawings. When San Francisco opened a new problem was created: security. Dies were shipped west unhardened because SF wanted to cut their length to fit their presses, and HQ wanted to be sure that if dies were lost or stolen, they were very unlikely to be usable as soft steel. Die hardening was tricky business and very few were expert enough to handle coinage dies without ruining them.

I honestly didn’t even stop to see his prices. I have no interest in them. Give me the original, even in a common date any day. 

The shows are swamped with them. I saw a guy in Chattanooga a few weeks ago that had 100 easily. I don’t know if he sold many or not, but he had a case filled to the rim with them. 

I honestly didn’t even stop to see his prices. I have no interest in them. Give me the original, even in a common date any day. 

Heck no. I figure his eyes were the validation. It’s funny I also got the age old strategy of “I was offered $3200 earlier today and I turned it down. This is a $5000 coin”. That’s when you tell them to run, not walk, and catch the guy that offered it. 

Agreed. He is so convinced he won’t even talk about it not being legit. I asked for weight and he said it was already validated. I said I want to see better pics to determine grade and he says it’s XF. I have zero interest in it other than I’m genuinely curious if he is right or not. 

It would be the absolute best thing that could happen to that coin.  I think that making this a series discounts the 100 year (1921-2021) Morgan/Peace transition commemorative.  
It's just the Mint saying, "Make some more of that... these guys will buy it.  Doesn't fit?  Doesn't matter... Keep the presses going boys... Baby needs some new shoes".
Then there is the gouging on the secondary market due to "new coin mania".  A phenomenon that I have not come to understand yet.  The sudden rise, and sudden crash... only to rinse and repeat. 

The mushy details would give me pause.

Impossible to evaluate from fuzzy photos and no data. Low grade specimens sell for about $1,500. FDC = $7,000 to $8,000. (Is that a portcullis mintmark?)
Obverse
Legend starting from the top right reads:
HENRIC DI GRA REX AnGLIE Z FRA
Most have AnGL not AnGLIE like this one. Translated the legend reads “Henry by the Grace of God, King of England and France.”
Saint Michael slaying dragon with both feet clearly on the ground and hold a spear. Cross Crosslet spear shaft and St. Michael’s halo break through the inner beading. 
Mint mark is to the right of Saint Michael’s head in the legend area. 
 
Reverse
The reverse design of the gold angel coin shows a crown at the center of a ship amongst the waves, with an “h” to the left and a rose to the right of the cross as ships mast.
Latin legend and beaded borders surrounding, PERx CRVCE'x TVA'x SALVAx nOSx XPE'x REDE'. (“By Thy cross, save us, O Christ, our Redeemer.”)
 
Specification
Gold, 0.163 T oz.; 0.995; 1504.
[Chards Coin and Bullion Dealer]

First, I’d want a specific gravity test on it. 

The shows are swamped with them. I saw a guy in Chattanooga a few weeks ago that had 100 easily. I don’t know if he sold many or not, but he had a case filled to the rim with them. 

It doesn't look right to me.  Probably of recent Chinese origin

You and me both. The seated half dimes/dimes and Jefferson nickels I never get right. I think most small seated stuff is circulated and I have never seen a Jefferson nickel I didn’t think was over graded. 

A fin results from a mismatch between collar and planchet upset. It is not directly related to strike pressure. The force from a toggle press is the same with each blow, unless the spacing wedge is moved.

I agree with you. That’s why I feel the one I bought was strong for a 63. The fine detail is good for that coin.  I have actually never noticed the rust as much as I do now that RWB pointed it out. Of course I guess that 66 is closer to how it left the press…..I honestly think most of the grades are solely off the contact marks and wear. I know it’s supposedly based on strike and eye appeal but it really seems that an afterthought to marks and wear. 

This is the plate coin at PCGS graded as MS66, ok I get that the coin has superior luster, and some areas are well struck like the top of the leg (which is notorious for weakness) as well as through the center of both sides.  But all those nodes from a rusted die and the horrible perimeter strike, idk it does not look like an MS66 to me.

I thought 63 also

I wonder why NGC and PCGS show the damaged die version and ignore the ones like yours? Also, I did a quick check of other small stars versions and only a small minority were like your coin - most were the messed up version. If the clashing and rust are correct, then the die had to sit unused and unprotected at least for a couple of weeks for the rust to develop.

1838 Seated Half Dime No Drapery, Small Stars. I picked this one up last week.  What's your guess?

Just a zit. We have all been there…

Yes sir. I see a lot of fins on this series and other earlier series. Somone may know why it was more common on the earlier stuff. I am guessing, and its only a guess, that strike pressure was less consistent with the earlier presses. As a result a decent number got a little firmer strike than others. Someone may very well say that is incorrect I just know I see it somewhat often. I love seeing it because usually it will be a well struck coin,