Proof coins with imperfections.
seatedlib3991
Posts: 1,095 ✭✭✭✭✭
I recently won an 1899 Proof Indian cent at Great Collections. For all the people who collapse into a fetal ball without a picture. Go to Great Collections and look at the 1899 PF-62 RB Indian cent from the March 9th auction.
I thought there was a small scratch on the coin near the head of the Obv. figures head. I got the coin yesterday only to discover that the line is raised instead of incuse. I am bad at terminaology but I think this defect is called a 'strike thru". My guess is that the coiner took a cloth and wiped the die off to prevent strike thru's. Left a small piece of lint and created a strike thru. So much for man's intentions.
Currently this is the only proof coin in my collection. You could count all the proof coins i have ever owned and still give a "peace" sign. Do any of you experts on proofs know how often proofs come with defects? James
Comments
A raised line wouldn't happen from a strike-thru. A piece of fiber would act as a raised feature on the die, causing an indentation in the coin.
A die crack will produce a low feature on the die, resulting in a raised linear feature on the coin.
BTW, is this the coin? If so, could be a small die crack. Uncommon on a proof, but not impossible.
Some proof Indians have worm-like raised lines - especially in the headdress. They cannot be from die polishing and I suspect they came from threads when the die was hubbed.