Crooked Mintmark on Lincoln Cent?

vega1

I have a 1987-D Lincoln cent and the mintmark is markedly crooked, rotated about 15 degrees to the right. The rest of the coin appears normal. Has anyone heard of this before?

Thanks in advance for any info.

FC57Coins

When did they start engraving the mint marks into the dies? I thought it was in the mid 80's?

ksteelheader

The answer is on this page....KenLink

FC57Coins

Kewl Ken - thanks!

vega1

I'm sorry, I didn't see anything about the crooked mintmark on that page. Did I just miss it or did you mean the answer to the die question.

Thanks

Conder101

Before 1985 for proofs and before 1990 on business strike coins, the mintmark was added to every die by hand. For that reason it is possible for the the mintmark to "wander" around, or tip left or right. it is also possible for repunched mintmarks to exist because sometimes it takes multiple blows with the mallet to sink the mintmark into the die properly. If the punch isn't placed exactly in the same position you get a repunched mark. If you are holding the punch slightly crooked, you get a mintmark that leans one way or the other.

vega1

Thanks Conder, I really appreciate the explanation.

ksteelheader

<< <i>I'm sorry, I didn't see anything about the crooked mintmark on that page. Did I just miss it or did you mean the answer to the die question. >>


Q: I have what appears to be a repunched mint mark from 1992. Is that possible?

A: No, it is not possible. Starting with 1985S proof cents and 1990 business strike cents, the mint added the mint mark directly to the master die, alleviating the chances for doubling of hand punched mint marks known as repunched mint marks.

coppercoins

Mintmarks that are simply crooked are just punched that way. Nothing special about them.