What causes the "bold reeding" on this Dahlonega quarter eagle?

Longacre

I was taking a look at the Stack's site (I guess I have to get used to typing Stacks into my browser, rather than ANR ) and I noticed this Dahlonega quarter eagle. The coin is described and pictured below. Does anyone know what would cause this "heavy reeding"? I assume that it might be a result of increased coinage pressure, but the coin itself does not look like it is any more boldly struck than any other coin. Is this typical of the date or the series? Is this coin considered market acceptable? If the coin was slabbed, would the owner necessarily know about this heavy reeding? Any thoughts are appreciated.

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1843'D' Small Date, Crosslet 4. Very Fine or somewhat better. Bold devices, stars and legends are a pleasing uniform yellow-gold. The edge is so boldly reeded as to cause faint rippling around the wide rims.

BillJones

The 1843-D quarter eagle in my collection is quite normal. Perhaps the planchet on this piece was a little wide, which caused metal to flow upward when it was struck. This coin is in a PCGS AU-58 holder.

Conder101

I'd want to examine the edges carefully and preferably compare it to another issue from the same mint. I would be concerned that it might have been used in jewelry and then later forced through a reeded cutting die to restore the reeding. That could cause the dimpling seen.

Longacre

<< <i>I'd want to examine the edges carefully and preferably compare it to another issue from the same mint. I would be concerned that it might have been used in jewelry and then later forced through a reeded cutting die to restore the reeding. That could cause the dimpling seen. >>




Good points, Conder and Bill Jones. I have never heard of this before. Hopefully some others might have other theories. I know there are other Southern gold experts in the house, so hopefully they will respond with their thoughts. It does look strange.

cointagious

<< <i>I'd want to examine the edges carefully and preferably compare it to another issue from the same mint. I would be concerned that it might have been used in jewelry and then later forced through a reeded cutting die to restore the reeding. That could cause the dimpling seen. >>




I concur.

BillJones

You guys are correct. The only way to really figure out what is going on with this piece would be to examine the reeding to see if it has been "restored," Still Dahlonega was not the greatest of the U.S. operations, and it also did not get the best dies from the Philadelphia mint were all of the dies were made. Factors that were both in and out of the control of the Dahlonega officials affected the quality of their product.