1973 D over horizontal D???

Windycity

Just opened a mint bag of 1973 D cents and found this. It certainly looks like a horizontal D but would like opinions from all of you. Took two pictures from different angles and different lighting. What do you think?

ar18

I say struck with wire, the lower part of the 3 looks offly suspicious too me. My 1/2cent.

Windycity

I have now found 3 examples so I don't think it's struck through wire. All examples are exactly the same.

kranky

My lousy Photoshop skills show me that that curved line from the 9 to the mintmark exactly matches the curvature of the right side of the D mintmark.

ar18

measuring it, it seems to fit a mis-placed mintmark. I would send to billy crawford.

DieVarieties

I don't wish to be the bearer of bad news -- but that is a die crack. Many various types and sizes are known for the '73-D cents extending from the tail of the "9" into the field with many resembling the curvature of a "D" -- but there not. Keep searching, there are some nice RPMs for the '73-D with one wide south that I would luv to find -- but no joy yet. Nice pics.

tincup

I have to agree with the die crack. See how the right end of the curve actually is going up on the existing mintmark? If the curve was from a previously punched mint mark.... the final large existing mint mark would have covered the end up. Still a VERY cool coin....

kranky

tincup, excellent point. The way the curves match is very uncanny, though. I hacked up an overlay then offset it a hair to show how the mintmark curve matches up with the line between the 9 and the D.

Windycity

I'm getting a good education here... upon more microscopic examination, I am beginning to believe the die crack theory. I now have four samples and one shows a continuation of the die crack up on to the 9. I appreciate all the help and knowledge you all provide.

Windycity

Okay... I'll add to the puzzle...

Here's a pic of another coin from the same bag that appears to have exactly the same misplaced D or exact same die crack under the "b" on Liberty on the obverse. Now I know die cracks can't be the same so what are we seeing here?