Can someone help me figure out this Kennedy Half error?
seanq
Posts: 8,575 ✭✭✭✭✭
I was going back through a box of left-overs from some bulk purchases and came across this 1971 Kennedy Half. First I thought it was PMD, then I thought maybe it was a tapered planchet, but now I'm just confused.
The thing that is throwing me is he weight is 11.3g, basically normal. The planchet is noticeably thinner where the design is missing, enough that I would expect the weight to be less than standard if it was simply tapered or the material was removed post-strike.
I also considered this could have a tilted obverse die, but in that case I would expect the unstruck area to be thicker, not thinner, than the struck area. The reeding is also complete, which I would not expect from a tilted die.
Welcome to any explanations of what happened here.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
Comments
Sean, it certainly appears to be damaged from what I can see – can you place it on another half dollar, because it looks a bit out of round-Dash the “flattened” side looks larger than it should at least from the photo
for PCGS. A 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
I'm not an expert on error coinage in any manner, but the obverse from Kennedy's cheekbone and back appears squashed like something was placed against it with force. Perhaps it was an intentional PMD act or maybe something just happened to it, but it looks to me like PMD.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Good eye, Fred. I measured a 1973 half with a set of calipers (benefit of working from home), twice 90° apart, in each direction it was 30.5mm. The 1971 measured 30.8mm and 31.2mm, so I think you are correct that it was compressed outside the Mint.
I feel silly for not noticing, thanks for setting me straight.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
PMD it just looks wrong.
What Fred said.
That is some serious compression pressure.... Wow...Not sure how it was done, but certainly PMD. Cheers, RickO
It's a little humbling to be sure, I regularly chime in on posts by others who confuse PMD for an error, and here I am missing the boat on my own coin. I guess it's true what they say about ownership clouding one's opinion.
Sean REynoldse
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
What @FredWeinberg and @ErrorsOnCoins said.
Weird. Is the reeding deformed?