Classic gold commemorative - error or PMD?

seanq

I recently stumbled across an auction for this 1905 Lewis & Clark gold dollar. It came up in a search because the coin was once mounted in a money clip, but the picture immediately struck me as possibly showing a genuine rim clip.

I have the coin in hand but I have not been able to get decent pictures, so for now I am sharing the seller's photos (the notes are mine):

Unfortunately the solder from the jewelry mounting covers the clip on the other side, though the Blakesley effect is still faintly visible:

I can say that in the hand the coin looks just like the pics, and the weak denticles look as struck and not resulting from the mount on the opposite face. I have seen a similar rim on clipped cents from the era, specifically 1909 Lincoln cents, that familiarity is what gave me the confidence to acquire the piece.

I wish there was a way to remove the solder and show the reverse rim. I am considering taking the coin to a local trusted jeweler for a consultation, though I really do not want to risk compromising the coin any further.

Right now I am about 95% in the "Mint error" camp, but there are lots of knowledgeable error guys here and I am open to being talked out of this opinion.

Sean Reynolds

jmlanzaf

Damage. I don't see a clip at all. Even if there were a tiny edge clip, it's not going to add any value to a jewelry piece

relicsncoins

Hard to say with the rest of the damage, at least for me anyway. I have a 1916 McKinley dollar with a minor clip.

seanq

@relicsncoins said:
Hard to say with the rest of the damage, at least for me anyway. I have a 1916 McKinley dollar with a minor clip.

I would love to see a photo of that if you ever have a chance to post one.

Sean Reynolds

relicsncoins

davewesen

ex-jewelry ..... besides pin on reverse, had some sort of benzel or decoration around coin

a clip would show on outside of rim edge not inside