The light reflections on the ring show that the light path is about perpendicular to the scratch. I bet the mark is almost invisible when the light is coming from other directions.
It was unusual to net any coin for such a large scratch back in the ogh days. While it does look to be XF/AU otherwise, no way it should have been netted to VF.
Another option is that the holder was cracked open and this coin was inserted.
I should also add that the line doesn't seem to go through the point of the lower star. I would expect a scratch to go through the star, but since the field is the high point of the die, I wouldn't be surprised that a die break didn't go through the device. I'd want to see it in hand, but I wouldn't be surprised if this is a die crack, perhaps made to look more suspect by rather harsh lighting.
Definitely a scratch. No way that's a die crack. I'm guessing that it only looks as bad as it does in the pic is because the lighting catches the scratch just right and that it isn't quite as noticeable when viewed in hand in natural light. I'm guessing that PCGS silently net graded this coin due to it's age and rarity.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
One of those lines ends abruptly at the jaw/neck interface. The other one crosses over that same area. Odd behavior for a die crack(s).
Full bisections are also sort of rare for die cracks, especially nearly straight ones. The obverse cleaning lines flow in the same direction as the scratch/die crack. Coincidence?
As the "die crack" bounces across Liberty's hair it leaves a "dotted" line. Again, not usual behavior for a typical die crack.
The line just barely touches 2 star points on each side of the coin. How unusual is that for a die crack? Makes more sense that the resistance from the raised star body/points redirected the offending "tool" away.
Longer die cracks often change their thickness along the route as various devices are encountered. This one seems to maintain the same width nearly the entire run.
<< <i>One of those lines ends abruptly at the jaw/neck interface. The other one crosses over that same area. Odd behavior for a die crack(s).
Full bisections are also sort of rare for die cracks, especially nearly straight ones. The obverse cleaning lines flow in the same direction as the scratch/die crack. Coincidence?
As the "die crack" bounces across Liberty's hair it leaves a "dotted" line. Again, not usual behavior for a typical die crack.
The line just barely touches 2 star points on each side of the coin. How unusual is that for a die crack? Makes more sense that the resistance from the raised star body/points redirected the offending "tool" away.
Longer die cracks often change their thickness along the route as various devices are encountered. This one seems to maintain the same width nearly the entire run. >>
You can tell by the way that the light falls INTO it that it is a depression rather than a raised die break. A struck thru indentation is theoretically possible, but it sure looks like a scratch to me.
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<< <i>20yr old mistake >>
I agree, it isn't even grossly net graded to compensate which they often are when that was more the status quo. Classic staple scratch and very sad.
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Another option is that the holder was cracked open and this coin was inserted.
<< <i>That is so depressing... >>
What's depressing..........the scratch or the fact it received a grade?
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
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<< <i>Looks like perforating over the Liberty's head/hair. I vote scratch. >>
Your a bad man as now poor DIMEMAN won't be able to sleep a wink all night
<< <i>
<< <i>Looks like perforating over the Liberty's head/hair. I vote scratch. >>
Your a bad man as now poor DIMEMAN won't be able to sleep a wink all night >>
I don't think DMan will lose any sleep over my wag Jeremy is in the mix now but I still stand with scratch
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
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Harder to determine that with an image.
<< <i>I am thinking that PCGS had the coin in hand and decided it is a die crack.
Harder to determine that with an image. >>
it isn't hard at all, clearly a scratch.
That slab pre-dates Genuine service. Netted for rarity.
Full bisections are also sort of rare for die cracks, especially nearly straight ones. The obverse cleaning lines flow in the same direction as the scratch/die crack. Coincidence?
As the "die crack" bounces across Liberty's hair it leaves a "dotted" line. Again, not usual behavior for a typical die crack.
The line just barely touches 2 star points on each side of the coin. How unusual is that for a die crack? Makes more sense that the resistance from the raised star body/points redirected the offending "tool" away.
Longer die cracks often change their thickness along the route as various devices are encountered. This one seems to maintain the same width nearly the entire run.
<< <i>One of those lines ends abruptly at the jaw/neck interface. The other one crosses over that same area. Odd behavior for a die crack(s).
Full bisections are also sort of rare for die cracks, especially nearly straight ones. The obverse cleaning lines flow in the same direction as the scratch/die crack. Coincidence?
As the "die crack" bounces across Liberty's hair it leaves a "dotted" line. Again, not usual behavior for a typical die crack.
The line just barely touches 2 star points on each side of the coin. How unusual is that for a die crack? Makes more sense that the resistance from the raised star body/points redirected the offending "tool" away.
Longer die cracks often change their thickness along the route as various devices are encountered. This one seems to maintain the same width nearly the entire run. >>
<< <i>perhaps.. while it was being cleaned, a small chunk of the brick being used broke loose and caused the scratch >>
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
<< <i>So what's its value (given a scratch) .... ? >>
today, i would give $145 for it.
Guess where the shovel hit. HARD?
<< <i>I'll bet they thought it was a die crack. It almost looks like one as you get closer to the rims. >>
my thought exactly
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