Can someone tell me what this is on my 1940s Nickel?

Comments

• clarkbar04 Posts: 4,997 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 13, 2020 4:08PM

  Looks like a die gouge. Someone got a little careless with their tools at the mint.

  MS66 taste on an MS63 budget.

  4
• abcde12345 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 13, 2020 4:14PM

  That's cool.
  Imagine how pronounced it must have been when it was uncirculated.

  2
• bsshog40 Posts: 3,972 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 13, 2020 4:21PM

  @clarkbar04 said:
  Looks like a die gouge. Someone got a little careless with their tools at the mint.

  That's the term I was looking for! Thanks!

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• seanq Posts: 8,738 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 13, 2020 5:36PM

  Gonna disagree and say those are actually deep scratches on the surface that occurred early in the live of the coin, and after decades of circulation the upset metal has worn into what looks like a die gouge.

  Sean Reynolds

  Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.
  
  "Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor

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• bsshog40 Posts: 3,972 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 13, 2020 5:47PM

  @seanq said:
  Gonna disagree and say those are actually deep scratches on the surface that occurred early in the live of the coin, and after decades of circulation the upset metal has worn into what looks like a die gouge.

  Sean Reynolds

  I don't know, you may be right but both of them are raised. The best way I can describe them is being humped like a welding line.

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• jesbroken Posts: 10,669 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 13, 2020 6:40PM

  Looks like die gouges to me, Bobby, but not a specialist in this matter.
  Jim

  
  When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
  
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• tincup Posts: 5,437 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 13, 2020 6:42PM

  If the metal is actually raised... most likely die gouges. Since the lines also stop at the devices/lettering, that indicates to me die gouges also. If it was from gouges in the actual coin surfaces, most likely it would have affected at least a portion of the bust/lettering.

  ----- kj

  1
• Jimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 13, 2020 9:05PM

  I'd say die gouges.

  1
• abcde12345 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 14, 2020 5:30AM

  @Jimnight said:
  I'd say die gouges.

  A gouged die makes me sad.
  

  1
• ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 14, 2020 6:20AM

  I agree with die gouge. There does not appear to be any corresponding depth that caused upset metal and they do not continue into the devices. Cheers, RickO

  1
• Jimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭

  October 14, 2020 6:24AM

  @abcde12345 said:

  @Jimnight said:
  I'd say die gouges.

  A gouged die makes me sad.
  

  It makes me very sad too!

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