What kind of Error is this? Obverse of a 1920P Mercury Dime. Please Help.
Fairlaneman
Posts: 10,424 ✭✭✭✭✭
When this coin was shown a few months ago people said it was Die Polish. How can it be Die Polish when it is confined to the Bust of Miss Liberty. In 40 years I have not seen another Mercury that looks like this one. The coin graded MS65+ at PCGS.
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Thanks Much
Ken
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2
Comments
Probably rusted dies.
Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
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It looks to me like the dime was struck with rusty/pitted dies.
Donato
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I agree ...rusted dies...I have seen the effect on some MS Large Cents I have. I like it...gives the coin character..Nice Merc.
I would call it die deterioration. It’s not just confined to the bust of Liberty, but is also present in the fields. It does have a rather odd appearance.
@CaptHenway
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what is that technical term you used somewhat recently for this effect? i THINK it was you. (it may have been an old thread bumped, i don't remember)
I like it also. It's like a satin finish. 👍🏻
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
I'd like to know why it got a 65+ - I just don't see that coin having any extra points for eye appeal.
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Looking at the area left in front of the mouth and chin and in the rear behind the lower head and neck, it looks like a metal flow not consistent with the complete coin's strike. What does this area on the reverse of the coin look like? Just curious as it appears odd. Without this I would have thought die rust also.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Pitted die.
Must have been somebody else.
I'd first have to disabuse you of the notion it is an error.
peacockcoins
@Fairlaneman check out spalling
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/6952759
@CaptHenway
i went through my bookmarks for a while but didn't see the weird "S" word in any of the titles, hoping i would just see it and NOT have to dig in my mind for it but JUST when i was about to give up, VIOLA - SPALLING popped in my mind. odd how that works.
Has what I like to call a sandstone effect. I like it.
Interesting surface anomaly... Have not seen that before... Well, a random spot or two that I considered rust... but that is major. Cheers, RickO
Thanks a million. I believe the thread explains what happened to this dime.
Ken
A coin graded 65+ (as opposed to a higher grade) doesn’t need to have garnered any extra points for eye appeal. This one probably would have graded higher if it had better eye appeal.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.