1955 wheat penny error
S5683
Posts: 5 ✭
This 1955 wheat penny has an anomaly behind lincolns head and his mouth appears to be doubled as well this anomaly is raised on the coin as if it was struck with the rest of the design. I cant find any comparisons online i dont know if its a major die crack or break or what could cause this if anyone can help with advice it would be greatly appreciated
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Looks like a Franklin Roosevelt T-Cup
Lafayette Grading Set
We see a LOT of post mint damage from new posters around here, but this does not seem to be PMD. At least, the tea cup handle on Lincoln's head doesn't look like PMD. Interesting.
Dwayne F. Sessom
Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
That's darned interesting! I'm neither an error guy nor a cent collector, but I took the liberty (pun somewhat intended) to rotate the image such that LIBERTY is upright. I searched the web for "1955 D Lincoln Cent die crack" and got some hits but nothing that looks like this. I'll be interested to see what the pros think.
New website: Groovycoins.com Capped Bust Half Dime registry set: Bikergeek CBHD LM Set
Glue. Soak it in water overnight and the glue will come right off.
Its not glue its actual metal ive dealt with coins alot and dealt with glue on them this is copper
It looks mint-made to me, from the haloing around the devices. (The protected areas are shiny).
New website: Groovycoins.com Capped Bust Half Dime registry set: Bikergeek CBHD LM Set
What does the reverse look like?
Smitten with DBLCs.
Damaged-look at the neck, jaw,cheek, and ear area – all damage after the coin was in circulation.
Could be glue, as Jonathanb says….I can’t tell for sure, but it’s not an error coin.
If it's copper, then it won't be harmed by soaking it in water overnight.
It is definately copper can you give me an idea how this damage migh occur and cause the metal of the coin to be raised in the field with original luster on both sides i just cant figure out what could damage a coin in such a way
Im going to send it off i just dont know where would be my best option to get a solid answer.
I also added a picture of the reverse the coins in really good shape
@FredWeinberg is arguably the foremost authority on error coins. That said, we're working from photos.
It does look like there could be a foreign substance on the head itself. The loop behind the head doesn't really look like glue to me, but it also doesn't really look like a die break which is about the only way you could get that in a struck error.
If you want to spend $70 to $100, you can get a definitive answer by sending it to PCGS. You can get a cheaper opinion from ANACS or ICG. Any of them should be able to give you a definitive opinion if they have the coin in hand.
The problem is that even if that is a die break, it is unlikely the coin is worth the cost of the slab. So, it is really up to you as to whether you want to spend the money on the oddity.
As you say, it's not possible for mechanical damage to have that appearance. Therefore it's not mechanical damage.
It's also not possible for a genuine mint error to have that appearance. So there's no question that something happened after the strike.
If you're positive that it's copper -- which I still doubt -- then someone dripped a bit of molten copper on the coin after it reached circulation.
If Fred says NG, save your money.
The tie is also messed up.
Imagine an anvil with a razoredge striking at one degree—
@S5683, there is an entire spectrum of responses between "do nothing" and "send to PCGS to have it graded and attributed." Arguably, the latter isn't a particularly great option if you think you have an interesting error or variety. Ahem.
How close are ya to Orlando? The FUN show starts tomorrow (1/9/25) and goes through the 12th. You could carry the coin to a show like that and find a SLEW of folks that would look at the coin and render verdict. There are also specialty clubs that meet during big shows like that. See also, Central States, or ANA - the ANA's National Money Show starts on 2/27/25... you get the idea.
I bow to the wisdom of the pros in the group and accept that this is some kind of post mint damage... but I'd still be pretty curious to find out how/what/why! @Creg has a pretty compelling theory, and if that "slice" happened early in the coin's life, the raised metal would create a protected area around the slice.
PS. Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on not getting into any noteworthy fights here! As @dsessom mentioned, a lot of new folks jump into the forum and argue their case a little bit, uh, passionately. (And there are a small number of old-timers here who have their backs up for just such an occasion, and they can bring out the pitchforks and machetes on occasion!)
PPS. If you do diagnose this coin, PLEASE share with us your results!
New website: Groovycoins.com Capped Bust Half Dime registry set: Bikergeek CBHD LM Set
If it's not glue or welding material then you could be into something. Maybe it's a long metal burr caused by a deep abrasion.
Then how do the T and Y look like that? The metal only appears to be raised along a line that goes through the left side of the Y.
Don’t know what caused it, but I am very confident that it did not leave the US mint like that
No idea. I'm only humoring Creg.
BTW, on my phone the whole inside loop looks raised.
Probably a good Idea for someone who envisions razor-sharp anvils.
If you do send it in, please let us know the results. Personally I think it is post mint damage also, but... only have photos to go by.
A soak in water (or acetone if water has no effect) may save you some money.
Someone is a marketing genius. Here's my handle.
What ?
Interesting. If you do send it anywhere I would probably go with ICG first. You'll get an answer from them way faster than from PCGS.
Collector, occasional seller