Error people: is this damage or error? Large cent

nwcs

I showed it to one dealer who does a lot of copper varieties and some errors and he was on the fence. So am I. But it's an interest one. What's your assessment?

Many thanks!

Neil

davewang202

My WAG is that this is damage. It may be an error if the coin broke apart on its own due to a pre existing flaw in the planchet, but the strike looks to be strong near the area of the missing metal, so the pressure on the metal flow was likely consistent when the coin was minted.

nwcs

I thought of that, but what gets me is the similar indent on the opposite side.

ksteelheader

I'm inclined to say damaged....Ken

JRocco

Looks to me like a well worn damaged coin

291fifth

I'd say damaged. That coin looks like it led a hard life.

lordmarcovan

I'm inclined to say damaged as well. OLD damage, though- see how it's worn?

Were it a little less deep in curvature, it might have been a planchet clip.

Never met a large cent I didn't like, though- even the culls.

nwcs

I was leaning this way, but it was discounted so I took the chance. I like the coin overall, too. Snagged a nice 1816 large cent in VG, too. At least I think it's VG, I haven't looked at it in a while. Goes well with my new 1819 bust half.

Conder101

Damage. Note how the star dips down into the depression following its contour. If the piece ha been missing from the planchet when it was struck it wouldn't do that. Something had deformed the metal in that area after it was struck.