Pareidolia may destroy ya - 1944-D cent variety?
seanq
Posts: 8,735 ✭✭✭✭✭
(.....with apologies to Ray Davies)
I found the coin below in a circulated roll of 1944-D cents, I was looking for either of the D/S varieties or maybe a nice RPM. I saw something odd above the mintmark, but looking straight on it wasn't clear what it was - for example, look at this picture:
When I rotated the coin a bit, it sure looked to me like there was a rotated, separated mintmark between the primary mintmark and the date. The photos below were taken at a slight angle to bring up the detail.
Same image with arrows to help point out the anomaly:
Another image at a slightly different angle to the face of the coin:
Same image again, with arrows:
Now I know the eye will see patterns where they don't exist (see the thread title). That said, I have looked at and correctly attributed a LOT of coins. I am even credited (in some places, anyway) for discovering the second fully separated mintmark variety on the 1956-D cent (RPM-018), so I think I have bring some credibility to this discussion. All I can say is that in the hand, it is as clear to me as either of the 1956-D separated RPMs.
I would love to hear other opinions of the photos, and I am willing to send the coin out if any experts want to study it in the hand.
Sean Reynolds
"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
Comments
no photos
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.
Having issues with my web hosting, I guess, I just uploaded them and I can see them on my browser now.
Sean
"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
I see them now.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.
hmmmmmm
Yep, I see what you see. And I didn't need the arrows. I wasn't looking for odd patterns.
Keep us posted please!
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
My first thought is the "extra D" looks very small compared to the original D mintmark.
My first thought is it is too small to be a mintmark. Is the area depressed, level with surface, or raised above surface?
But what appears to be two 'notches' is interesting....
It looks like a D, but I'd be more convinced that it was a mint error if it was a mint state coin. A coin that's seen as much circulation as the one pictured has come in contact with lots of external objects that could leave an indentation that resembles a D. Hang on to it, and see if anyone can find another.
Jim
Very convincing. But all the camera angles are the same. This must show up at other angles and different lighting.
I trust your opinion and know you have the coin in hand but I need to see more to be convinced.
...besides the coin looks like it's been through the Battle of the Bulge.
With that much damage on the 9, I think we can say that what you are seeing is more damage.
That D appears to have taken a good hit to the area in question. Good luck.
Seanq- very Kinky !
Depression and damage IMO.
In the first image there looks like a raised D going one way... then in the others I see what you see.
Almost as if it was polished off.
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It certainly has the appearance of a D.... It is, IMO, PMD... Just a fortuitous hit that looks like a D. Cheers, RickO
Anyone remember the now debunked 1980 D/S cent? Boy, did that look like a clear over mint mark until an earlier die state showed up and revealed it was all garbage. I still have one that I paid handsomely for (about a month before it was formally delisted.)
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Silly boy you got so much to live for
So much to aim for, so much to try for
You blowing it all with pareidolia
My apologies to Ray and Sean