Geez what happened to this Merc Dime ? Reverse picture added.

Fairlaneman

Your thoughts and opinions are requested. Maybe a grade also.



Same coin another shot.





Ken

dthigpen

Dipped in an Acidic compound.

BigE

Dioxin?--------------BigE

JRocco

It was introduced to a SBA?

tmot99

<< <i>Dioxin?--------------BigE >>

nwcs

The images are highly pixellated so my guess is nothing.

Fairlaneman

<< <i>The images are highly pixellated so my guess is nothing. >>



Huh ? Straight from my camera and just lightened up a little in Photo shop. What are you seeing ?

Ken

BigE

It has a Full Band reverse, something is up with the obverse die------------------BigE

coppercoins

Looks more like it was struck trough grease...if the obverse photo represents the coin. Kind of hard to tell, sort of pixellated.

kryptonitecomics

I was thinking struck through grease when I 1st saw it and thin thought the coin might be whizzed.......now I am not sure what the heck it is. This is one of those coins that needs to be in person for a proper evaluation

BigE

look at the die crack on the obverse, all the way to the rim of the die, it's hard to imagine that bad with the good reverse, jmho----------------------------------BigE

marcmoish

Dioxin?--------------BigE

truly funny and soo relevant




somethimng wrong with this dime Ken!

Fairlaneman

Here is maybe a photo that will explain what is going on with the obverse of this coin.



In my opinion probably three things could have caused the surface to look like it does. They are.

The coin being buried and corrosion has formed. This thought is set aside because the reverse is smooth with no signs of any pitting or related problems.

The coin had very deep tone and was conserved. I really have no clue if a coin would look like this one after deep tone has been removed. Again the reverse dispells this theory.

The coin was struck from a heavily rusted obverse die. Bingo ! 1925P merc dimes, and 24P, are pretty much known to come with weak strikes and grainy surfaces. Through the years it has been a contention of mine that many of the 25P's were struck from rusty dies. Most of the dimes I have seen for this date will show very slight pock marks or pits under magnification. Finally a coin was purchased with extreme die rust, in my opinion, to confirm the contention. In the above picture some areas have been highlighted. The areas in black are obvious raised metal areas. Hopefully you can see this. The area in blue is a smooth spot but even this has a grainy appearance. The area in red is a smooth spot on the rim that pretty much looks like it should. If the coin was corroded or had been conserved I would think this area would show raised metal or pits along with the rest of the dime.

Thats what I think of the dime. If it was anyother date it would be shipped back to the dealer because of the surface area. Little did they know that this is a coin I have spent years looking for.

Ken

CoinResource

The photo isn't high res enough to tell, the earlier post was right there is pixelization. However, from what you can see, the coin could have been dipped too long in acid. I am sure there are other corrosion/cleaning process answers as well. -cr

anablep

Looks like it was first corroded or dipped in acid and then cleaned or whizzed.
What a shame!

ldhair

I don't see this as an acid deal.
I feel it's something with the die.

marcmoish

A '25 dime in 'true' upper mint state conditions is truly rare. I've passed on many examples before I acquired the one I now own. You are correct this is a problem date with the key faults being notoriously known for the weak strikes. Your example actually shows a great reverse for what it's worth - great strike and full bands. Perih. lettering pretty well struck compared to most examples. That is what probably caught your eye to begin with eh?


Marc

Fairlaneman

I give... Here is the slab. The coin has not been whizzed or cleaned. It is a very severe case of Die Rust which probably is not seen very often at all. This is the worst by far I have seen.



Ken

Fairlaneman

Marc this coin was bought as part of the ongoing research that I do on 25P Merc Dimes. This is the only date that will be purchased sight unseen just so I may see different coins. I think this is number 7 of this date that I own right now with one more on the way.

Sort of a silly way to collect huh ? Pick out the worst date strike wise and want them all.....

Ken

IrishMike

Looks like it was minted with altzdimers.

marcmoish

Sort of a silly way to collect huh ? Pick out the worst date strike wise and want them all.....

only slightly weird most metal collectors have strange habits

that aside, you are in good position to study the date as you seem to have done. I'm wondering if PCGS would have given it a 64?. With so much whateverthatis on the obverse I'm surprised to see it in a 64FB slab. I'll guess it looks better in hand and has mint luster 'n frost - perhaps the reverse contributed to the grade too as it looks NGC64FB for sure (not PCGS - 63FB for them) but nice tgough - mystery indeed.