VAN ALLEN'S 1964 MORGAN DOLLAR ANALYSIS

The first impression of the photographs of the two hubs is a very good rendition of the obverse and reverse design. There were no existing hubs or working dies of the pre-WWI Morgan dollar since all previous hubs and dies were destroyed by the Mint in 1910. The most accurate rendition available therefore were the struck Morgan dollars. Photograph enlargements of the obverse and reverse of the coin of six to eight times could then be traced onto a plaster basin (plastilene) to prepare a positive model, complete with letters and new date of 1964.

It is not known whether the Chief Engraver or an assistant engraver prepared the models and subsequent steps to the final hubs.

(left) 1902-O VAM 31A Olive Branch Bent End,
(right) 1964 Morgan Dollar Hub, Bent Branch

The first step was to enhance the two available obverse and reverse photographs with a computer photograph program. It turned out that the photographs of the two hubs were taken at a slight angle with the hub faces middle in focus but the top and bottom parts slightly out of focus. So detailed examination was confined mainly in the clearer photograph center slice. The obverse hub was of the III3 type design used from 1879 thru 1904, with unevenly divided ear rear. The hair strand fineness appeared to match the normal Morgan dollar, but it could not be determined if the wheat leaves had the required fine lines or the cotton bolls with dots. The peripheral lettering appeared to match closely the letter designs of a Morgan dollar coin, but the letters at the top could not reliably be checked based on the photographs.

(left) 1902-O VAM 31A MER Letters,
(right) 1964 Morgan Hub Different Shape MER

The 1964 Morgan Dollar Hubs

To read the complete article, see:
Classic US Coins – A Design Analysis of the 1964 Morgan Hubs (/www.coinweek.com/recent-articles-video/classic-us-coins-design-analysis-1964-morgan-hubs/)

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