Strange lines around Obverse design features. Error? Doubling? 1994 SMS Nickel
Aspie_Rocco
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I have owned and examined more than 2 dozen of these 1994 matte sms nickels from the Jefferson coinage and currency sets. I Never saw these strange extra lines around the profile, letters, or edges before. I noticed this when doing photos just now. The reverse seems normal.
Anyone seen anything like this before?
My first guess is double struck but I am baffled by this one. @BigDowgie @davewesen @FredWeinberg 
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Those are great images and I really like the one with the date as it appears to be rising out of the water.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Maybe during the creation of the obverse die it was overly pressed/sunk too deep? Great pics though.
Looks like die erosion to me.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Original pictures taken with my iPhone and clip on lens magnifier.
Looking through my microscope I see 5 separate struck through places on the obverse, and something funny or stuck through on the rim at TRUST.
I appreciate the compliments on photo quality. This lens is amazing!
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
I believe that it's Machine Damage Doubling, only in this case it looks looks Machine Damage TRIPLING.
Seems like the die developed a case of Atrial Fibrillation.
Pete
But then wouldn't there be a lot of these?
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, evn when irrefutably accurate.
They are die lathe marks.
My first thought was die deterioration, but I’m not a hundred percent certain on it. Great pictures, by the way.
My first thought is a type of shift striking, similar to Capped Bust Halves from the 20's, where the obverse die was loose somehow in the collar
“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
I do not remember seeing either and wonder if some or what we are seeing is artifact/reflection from that plastic cover in the special set?
It’s definitely on the coin. I image a few a month and no others have this appearance. I have 4 in the original packaging right now and only this one has this ripple and orange peel look.
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
The S in TRUST makes it look multi-struck or DDO. I would probably sacrifice the $40-50 for value of set and cut it out to look at closer. Maybe send off to Wiles or someone else. Many of the 1994 and 1997 SMS Jeffersons have an orange peel type surface.
Looking at the detailed pictures (They are great), my thought was die bounce... As if the obverse die was not firmly mounted. Just a theory, perhaps @FredWeinberg will have the answer. Cheers, RickO
First I do not know this stuff. Looking through the resources and error-ref.com this appears to be DDD (die deterioration doubling). Here are the 3 reference pages (general, raised, incuse). If it is DDD, then I would think it would be a good subject coin for photos of DDD.
https://www.error-ref.com/die-deterioration-doubling/
https://www.error-ref.com/die-deterioration-doubling-raised/
https://www.error-ref.com/die-deterioration-doubling-incuse/
A part of the description that appears applicable:
"Die deterioration doubling may completely surround an affected design element (like a number or letter) or may be restricted to one side."
A picture from:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Yq4KA0mUnC8 - Dream On (Aerosmith cover) via Morgan James & Postmodern Jukebox
https://youtube.com/watch?v=m3lF2qEA2cw - Creep (Radiohead cover) via Haley Reinhart & Postmodern Jukebox
RLJ 1958 - 2023
I would have assumed it's an artifact of the striking process. I've never heard of die deterioration doubling, but the photos of the Idaho state quarter look very similar.
Got a little more time and again I do not know this stuff and just making observations. The OP also notes an orange peal surface. This is more apparent to me in the 4 o/c area. This is also where the doubling is seen around the letters/numbers more. Here is the error-ref page for die deterioration and orange peal texture. Perhaps two die deteriorations examples in this case.
https://www.error-ref.com/orange-peel-texture/
The letters in GOD appear more like a strike doubling with a shift to one side (up in this case). But just above that the E in WE has ripples that appear more like DDD. Also on some of the letters (example the B and R in LIBERTY and the mint mark P and some numbers in the date) the doubling that goes around the letter(s) has a different (larger) radius than the letter itself.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Yq4KA0mUnC8 - Dream On (Aerosmith cover) via Morgan James & Postmodern Jukebox
https://youtube.com/watch?v=m3lF2qEA2cw - Creep (Radiohead cover) via Haley Reinhart & Postmodern Jukebox
RLJ 1958 - 2023
Thank you for the replies everyone, and all the info lilolme
https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/
I feel a better explanation is needed. Hopefully @FredWeinberg or @dcarr will give their opinion before this is thru. BTW, I agree on the great photography.
Jim
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I can’t contribute much as I am not anywhere near as versed is Dan Carr would be on preparation of the die surfaces- there might be some incidental mechanical Doubling, but I think what we see on that nickel is “as struck“ from the die’s surfaces- die erosion, and/or an issue with the plating of the dies
Sorry, I can’t be of help in this issue
The pics you submitted look like the same type of problem as the OP Nickel.
Pete