Please post your coins with "man-made" dots.
Insider2
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I posted this image in a post about Commemorative coin varieties. Another member posted a Lincoln cent with a dot. Since his coin was not a Commemorative coin, I'm starting a new discussion where his coin needs to be imaged.
There are many coins with "Mint-made" dots. I believe that in many cases they were used to mark the dies. It would be interesting if a researcher can uncover the reason for a few of these instances as I do below. Folks collect these coins; yet many are not listed. I've seen man-made dots on many denominations including Morgan's, Half Dimes, and nickels Dots on Morgan dollars are popular varieties.
IMO, in order to qualify as a "man-made" dot (into the die) it has to be uniform and round under magnification. Sorta-round mint chips are not "Dots."
This is a chance to bring more of these interesting coins into the light.
Here is an interesting variety that was published decades ago. A tiny "dot" was placed on a former "Star" die after the star was removed from the die and used to strike 1922 Grant "no star" coins! I own the "discovery" coin. I call it the "2 Dot 2" variety. 
When you find one of these commemorative varieties, if you tip it in the light, you will see a partial "shadow depression" of the star!
Comments
Sorry about the other thread!
My fascination remains with the 1875 Indian Head Cent with the dot reverse.
Supposedly to catch a mint thief.
I have seen ....ONE.... on eBay a couple years ago.
If it hadn't had a SEVERE carbon glump (official term for "bit more than a spot") I would have bought it.
And I haven't seen one since. And TRYING to find one by accident is no simple chore.
It does fascinate me though.
I've been hunting for one of these for a long time, and have never found or even seen one. I love the thief story.
AND the eBay one was BU with LOTS of red.
BUT probably a quarter of the surface pure sooty black.
I keep a file of images of cool coins....but.... didn't on this one.
Kick me!
That was my coin. It has since been sold. That coin was superb and under graded. The carbon spots had to be the reason why.
These dots are quite common on the middle date large cents from 1816 to 1839.
For instance, look just left of center of the ear:
Also central on the reverse:
here's mine:
***oh you didn't want the center die marker dots. sorry
Thanks ironmanl63.
The spots SEEMED bigger the first time I saw it.
But thanks for the image.
NOW it's in my "cool coins" folder.
AFAIK, the dots on Large cents had to do with the alignment of the design. They are "centering" dots. They qualify as Mint-made.
Is the dot on the IHC on the N? Does not look like a mint dot if that is it.... Cheers, RickO
As far as I know the dot is in the N. The one in the photo looks to be a depression. Not sure if it is a raised dot or a depression.
Many coins included dots as part of their intended design:
And finally, the Norfolk has loads:
Wow, all of my Lincoln Memorial cents have three count them three dots in the "E PLURIBUS UNUM" area.
I'm rich!
My Adolph A. Weinman signature
@ricko said: "Is the dot on the IHC on the N? Does not look like a mint dot if that is it...." That is it,
I agree. I should think the mint would have done a beter job.
@jedm said: "Not sure if it is a raised dot or a depression."
It's raised.
@BryceM said: "Many coins included dots as part of their intended design."
That's correct and not the "original" subject or intent of this discussion. Thanks for taking the trouble to post the images.
I have a bunch of Dollars around here some where here is one.
Hoard the keys.
It is on the N. Close ups.
Which is precisely the same reason they were found on the example you used as illustrative of "man made" -- they were used to position elements of the design. If there's a difference between them, the one on my large cent (or Steveben's gorgeous bust gold) were used on a regular basis whereas your example was less common in that it was related to die rework. But both were done by mint employees when about to strike elements of the design in the die. To distinguish between them seems a bit arbitrary to me, but let's roll with it...
Others were seemingly done at random, perhaps a third type, like on the IHC iroman just posted or the few oddly placed ones on Type2's Morgans.
A fourth type are just part of the design, like in E.PLURIBUS.UNUM on the obverse of a Morgan, or the numerous examples Bryce shared.
The point being, I think there's a bit more to these "dots" than meets the eye, and I think it's an interesting discussion to have.
Take care...Mike
We can discuss alignment dots (very common), punctuation or ornamental dots on a coin's design (extremely common) but AFAIK you and I just posted what they are and there is nothing more to say.
The other "dots" are very interesting. We know an Indian cent die was marked. That is probably what the "dot N" is. We know a refinished Grant star coin was marked. That is what the 2 dot 2" is. Why were all the 1921 Morgan's or the 1884's dotted?
I'm looking for the perfectly round "mint made" dots on the Jefferson nickels I imaged decades ago to post here.
I wish to see the unusual stuff!
PS The coin I posted has nothing to do with the alignment of anything!
Holy...wow!
Did I ever get my wish!!
This has to be one of the most unusual examples in existence! The doubled dots on Large cents are NOT even close!
Right behind the pretty lady's cap
Thanks for sharing. I see what you see; however, I don't think so.
@lkeigwin posted:
Very Nice, thanks. I forgot all about the 18 dot 11. I wonder why it was done and so conspicuous? The centering dot in the image above (very common) does not qualify.
I know there are some really unusual coins out there, I've seen them published in the past. Anyone have an image of some of the "dots" on Canadian coins! Although they don't qualify either, that's the kind of dot done to signify something.
,
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Bad transactions with : nobody to date
IMO, neither of the two above are the same thing. The lump between the "1" and "7" is from a deteriorating die and the dots on the commemorative are in the design. Notice how irregular it is when compared to the mint-made dot on the neck of the 50c. I'm still looking for images I have taken of the "real" thing.
I've looked at alot of 1918 Illinois Centennial half dollars lately, and something I've noticed on each is a small triangular dot on the reverse between the "A" and "T" of "STATES".
If that was intentional, I don't know. I kinda think maybe it was? But anyhow, thought I'd throw in my
Insert witicism here. [ xxx ]
From the "used to be mine" folder;
1921-D $1 VAM 3A Wing Dot
"...there are several small, circular, raised dots on the coin. The most prominent one is located on field next to eagle's right wing, in the middle of eagle's left wing next to body. There are dots located in the upper loop of the S of STATES, in the middle of sixth tail feather (counting from the right), and above and below the stem right of the first berry in left wreath. Dots can also be located on the obverse, below the eye, and two in hair between the ear and the date."
http://www.vamworld.com/1921-D+VAM-3A
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@mt_msla said: "I've looked at alot of 1918 Illinois Centennial half dollars lately, and something I've noticed on each is a small triangular dot on the reverse between the "A" and "T" of "STATES"."
Although it is not a "dot," this is the type of mark I'm looking for. If I remember correctly, this is on all of them. I believe it is the tip of the letter punch but I'll need to check on the next IL coin I see.
@oih82w8 said: Thanks for your post. Most of these dots are perfectly "round" and qualify. Folks who wish to see them can look on VAM World.
@mt_msla said: "I've looked at alot of 1918 Illinois Centennial half dollars lately, and something I've noticed on each is a small triangular dot on the reverse between the "A" and "T" of "STATES." If that was intentional, I don't know. I kinda think maybe it was?"
Got my hands on one. It is not part of the design and it is in the 12 OC position. Possibly some sort of alignment mark.
Do pellets count as 'man made' dots ?
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Bad transactions with : nobody to date
Nope. Man made as part of the design.
I have a Nickel let me see where it is.
Hoard the keys.
The prevailing theory is that the dot resulted from something dropped on the die.
Lance.
Makes sense, looks like a lot of things "dropped on that die."
Here is a old pic if one I have some where.
Hoard the keys.
LOL. Liberty's neck acne is likely from die rust. The Mint fire in Jan. 1816 destroyed the Mill House and damaged the rolling mills. So dies sat on the shelf unused for many months. Rust seemed to be a common problem around that time.
Lance.
@afford
Looking for images to post of the 1877 Type 2 Trade dollar w/ dot in the drape above "God." Also an 1878-S Type 2 with a dot in the field under the left wing.
Look what I found? Still searching my files for the other Trade dollar. This is an 1877 Type 2/Type 2M (6 leg segments). There is a well made & purposely (IMO) applied "dot" on the obverse die under the fold in the drape. For what reason?:
Any Trade dollar specialists have an idea?
Here is a "man-made-dot" on a counterfeit 1805 Half Cent. I'll bet it is a "signature!"
this one is on my variety resource page.
1947-S Roosevelt Dime Extra Dot on Reverse. Gary Voyles sent me the coin to image. It definitely was in the die.
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
As mentioned in the OP, half dime centering dots.
WOW! That is a great discovery. I always wonder what the reason was for making these punch marks.
As I was going over my 1849/6 H10C for pick-up points for Variety attribution, I noticed a dot on a denticle that is represented on a couple of examples in CoinFacts as well. There are similar die cracks that go from Liberty's head to the edge, and I believe it is a die chip on the Phrygian cap.
...and for comparison;
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This turned out to be a very interesting and educational thread.
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
No dot Canadian cent or with dot?