Morgan Dollar, 1890, Philadelphia mint

[Overlord]

I'm not really into modern coins. This is one of the few I have that turned up today while looking for another coin. Made a pic to enjoy the eye candy. 

Weight=26.7 g

Obverse:


Reverse:

[Figleaf]

Perfectly nice example of "one collector's patina is another collector's gunk". Reminds me of the young girl in the bus, discussing make-up with her friend: "last Saturday, I had developed a whole new personality, but my father made me wash it off".

Peter

[bgriff99]

These still circulated for a dollar right up through 1964.    My XF 1878-S cost a dollar, came from a grocery store cash register.   I saw it, asked for it, nice surprise for a 10 year old.    The coins sure are boring now.   

As to eye candy though, this speaks to me rather of downfall.   It was the Spanish 8 R issued for ourselves, but scarcely changed in size and composition since the 1500's.    At age 12, in the winter of 1964-65 collecting on my paper route, I received the first clad coins in payment.    I'd collected coins since age 5 and knew it was coming, but it was still a shock.   They are ugly imposters I hate handling to this day.   My father was 12 when they called the gold.    The vestigial old system is being strung along amazingly well, but eventually has to come to a bad end.