1955 wheat penny error

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S5683
S5683 Posts: 5 ✭
edited January 8, 2025 6:05AM in U.S. Coin Forum


This 1955 wheat penny has an anomaly behind lincolns head and his mouth appears to be doubled as well this anomaly is raised on the coin as if it was struck with the rest of the design. I cant find any comparisons online i dont know if its a major die crack or break or what could cause this if anyone can help with advice it would be greatly appreciated

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  • pocketpiececommems
    pocketpiececommems Posts: 6,093 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Looks like a Franklin Roosevelt T-Cup

    Pocketpiececommemoratives

    Lafayette Grading Set
  • dsessom
    dsessom Posts: 2,481 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    We see a LOT of post mint damage from new posters around here, but this does not seem to be PMD. At least, the tea cup handle on Lincoln's head doesn't look like PMD. Interesting.

    Best regards,
    Dwayne F. Sessom
    Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
    My V Nickel Registry Set - https://pcgs.com/setregistry/alltimeset/71874
  • Bikergeek
    Bikergeek Posts: 703 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    That's darned interesting! I'm neither an error guy nor a cent collector, but I took the liberty (pun somewhat intended) to rotate the image such that LIBERTY is upright. I searched the web for "1955 D Lincoln Cent die crack" and got some hits but nothing that looks like this. I'll be interested to see what the pros think.

    My hobby website Groovycoins.com, new and improved!

  • jonathanb
    jonathanb Posts: 4,154 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Glue. Soak it in water overnight and the glue will come right off.

  • S5683
    S5683 Posts: 5 ✭
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    Its not glue its actual metal ive dealt with coins alot and dealt with glue on them this is copper

  • Bikergeek
    Bikergeek Posts: 703 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    It looks mint-made to me, from the haloing around the devices. (The protected areas are shiny).

    My hobby website Groovycoins.com, new and improved!

  • Aotearoa
    Aotearoa Posts: 1,628 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    What does the reverse look like?

    Smitten with DBLCs.

  • FredWeinberg
    FredWeinberg Posts: 6,039 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 8, 2025 3:31AM
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    Damaged-look at the neck, jaw,cheek, and ear area – all damage after the coin was in circulation.

    Could be glue, as Jonathanb says….I can’t tell for sure, but it’s not an error coin.

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • jonathanb
    jonathanb Posts: 4,154 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @S5683 said:
    Its not glue its actual metal ive dealt with coins alot and dealt with glue on them this is copper

    If it's copper, then it won't be harmed by soaking it in water overnight.

  • S5683
    S5683 Posts: 5 ✭
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    It is definately copper can you give me an idea how this damage migh occur and cause the metal of the coin to be raised in the field with original luster on both sides i just cant figure out what could damage a coin in such a way

  • S5683
    S5683 Posts: 5 ✭
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    Im going to send it off i just dont know where would be my best option to get a solid answer.

  • S5683
    S5683 Posts: 5 ✭
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    I also added a picture of the reverse the coins in really good shape

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,046 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 8, 2025 6:58AM
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    @S5683 said:
    Im going to send it off i just dont know where would be my best option to get a solid answer.

    @FredWeinberg is arguably the foremost authority on error coins. That said, we're working from photos.

    It does look like there could be a foreign substance on the head itself. The loop behind the head doesn't really look like glue to me, but it also doesn't really look like a die break which is about the only way you could get that in a struck error.

    If you want to spend $70 to $100, you can get a definitive answer by sending it to PCGS. You can get a cheaper opinion from ANACS or ICG. Any of them should be able to give you a definitive opinion if they have the coin in hand.

    The problem is that even if that is a die break, it is unlikely the coin is worth the cost of the slab. So, it is really up to you as to whether you want to spend the money on the oddity.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • jonathanb
    jonathanb Posts: 4,154 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 8, 2025 7:19AM
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    @S5683 said:
    It is definately copper can you give me an idea how this damage migh occur and cause the metal of the coin to be raised in the field with original luster on both sides i just cant figure out what could damage a coin in such a way

    As you say, it's not possible for mechanical damage to have that appearance. Therefore it's not mechanical damage.

    It's also not possible for a genuine mint error to have that appearance. So there's no question that something happened after the strike.

    If you're positive that it's copper -- which I still doubt -- then someone dripped a bit of molten copper on the coin after it reached circulation.

  • Pizzaman
    Pizzaman Posts: 305 ✭✭✭
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    The tie is also messed up.

  • Creg
    Creg Posts: 1,736 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 8, 2025 8:45AM
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    Imagine an anvil with a razoredge striking at one degree—

  • Bikergeek
    Bikergeek Posts: 703 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @S5683, there is an entire spectrum of responses between "do nothing" and "send to PCGS to have it graded and attributed." Arguably, the latter isn't a particularly great option if you think you have an interesting error or variety. Ahem.

    How close are ya to Orlando? The FUN show starts tomorrow (1/9/25) and goes through the 12th. You could carry the coin to a show like that and find a SLEW of folks that would look at the coin and render verdict. There are also specialty clubs that meet during big shows like that. See also, Central States, or ANA - the ANA's National Money Show starts on 2/27/25... you get the idea.

    I bow to the wisdom of the pros in the group and accept that this is some kind of post mint damage... but I'd still be pretty curious to find out how/what/why! @Creg has a pretty compelling theory, and if that "slice" happened early in the coin's life, the raised metal would create a protected area around the slice.

    PS. Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on not getting into any noteworthy fights here! As @dsessom mentioned, a lot of new folks jump into the forum and argue their case a little bit, uh, passionately. (And there are a small number of old-timers here who have their backs up for just such an occasion, and they can bring out the pitchforks and machetes on occasion!)

    PPS. If you do diagnose this coin, PLEASE share with us your results!

    My hobby website Groovycoins.com, new and improved!

  • JBK
    JBK Posts: 17,860 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Creg said:

    Imagine an anvil with a razoredge striking at one degree—

    If it's not glue or welding material then you could be into something. Maybe it's a long metal burr caused by a deep abrasion.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,046 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @JBK said:

    @Creg said:

    Imagine an anvil with a razoredge striking at one degree—

    If it's not glue or welding material then you could be into something. Maybe it's a long metal burr caused by a deep abrasion.

    Then how do the T and Y look like that? The metal only appears to be raised along a line that goes through the left side of the Y.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • FredWeinberg
    FredWeinberg Posts: 6,039 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Don’t know what caused it, but I am very confident that it did not leave the US mint like that

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • JBK
    JBK Posts: 17,860 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @jmlanzaf said:
    @JBK said:

    @Creg said:

    Imagine an anvil with a razoredge striking at one degree—

    If it's not glue or welding material then you could be into something. Maybe it's a long metal burr caused by a deep abrasion.

    Then how do the T and Y look like that? The metal only appears to be raised along a line that goes through the left side of the Y.

    No idea. I'm only humoring Creg. ;)

    BTW, on my phone the whole inside loop looks raised.

  • Creg
    Creg Posts: 1,736 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @JBK said:

    No idea. I'm only humoring Creg. ;)

    Probably a good Idea for someone who envisions razor-sharp anvils.

  • tincup
    tincup Posts: 5,481 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    If you do send it in, please let us know the results. Personally I think it is post mint damage also, but... only have photos to go by.

    A soak in water (or acetone if water has no effect) may save you some money.

    ----- kj
  • emeraldATV
    emeraldATV Posts: 5,249 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Someone is a marketing genius. Here's my handle.

    What ?

  • ChrisH821
    ChrisH821 Posts: 7,147 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Interesting. If you do send it anywhere I would probably go with ICG first. You'll get an answer from them way faster than from PCGS.

    Collector, occasional seller

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