First documented PDS *ERROR*

@GoldenEgg said:
I question whether that is a clip at K5 , or some sort of chain strike edge.

Noticeably, there is no Blakesley effect, which should actually be more prominent than normal, considering that portion is unstruck.

Hi there Mr GoldenEgg,

A very sharp observation on your part in regard to clip vs edge strike. I am not quite sure if you would see any Blakesley effect on an off center strike. I believe you would only see this effect on coins that are struck in collar. But, hey, it wouldn't be the first time (or the last time) that I have been mistaken.

With that said, Mike Diamond agrees with your assessment of the coin (if that carries any weight on this site). He says that, in his opinion, it looks more like some sort of chain strike than a clipped planchet.

Regardless of it's actual attribution, if we have Sherman set the "wayback machine" to sometime in the mid 80's, this coin was all the buzz...

@Type2 said:
So can you give us some insight on how we will know if we have a p,d,s error? It looks to be in the copper plated era.

PDS refers to Planchet, Die and Strike. At the time, they claimed that this coin had a planchet error at K5 and an off center striking error at K4 as well as a clashed die. PDS...

Of course we are a bit more knowledgeable today. If in fact is it a chain strike instead of a clipped planchet, it is no longer a PDS error...

I think that, setting the actual attribution aside, the most incredible aspect of this particular coin is that it was once the possession of JT Stanton as well as Lou Coles. 2 numismatists I greatly admire.

@ErrorsOnCoins said:

SNIP...

PS: On the OP coin, you could weigh to be sure

And the weight is..... Drumroll please.....

40 grains... a tad overweight... Should be 38.5 grains to be exact... So, not a clip...

@GoldenEgg said:

Snip...

The Blakesley effect is a result of what happens to the blank within the upsetting mill, which occurs before being struck. As such, the Blakesley effect is going to be present on the planchet before being struck and is usually found on a clipped coin after strike.

See, I told you I wouldn't be the last time I was mistaken. :-)

I had always assumed that the Blakesley effect was a result of the strike. The rim opposite the clip did not form because the clipped area produced no offsetting pressure 180 degrees from the clip.

With that said, thank you very much for the input. I can visualize perfectly what u r referring to. Nicly explained...