Strange looking 1978 LMC abraded coin. Maybe struck by a die earlier in the die making process?
BillF7796
Posts: 17 ✭
Hi everyone, awhile ago I found this 1978 LMC and initially I thought it was post mint damage. However, after taking a closer look it appears that both the obverse and reverse die's are heavily abraded. I have seen lots of abraded cents especially in the 80's but nothing that looks like this coin.
This will sound crazy but I think there might be guidelines that are also scratched into the obverse die. There are 2 areas on the obverse die that appear to be undergoing adjustments and may have guidelines in those areas.
Possible Guidelines-
1. There are individual lines that leave the E in WE and go under the T R U and then drop down over the date. It appears that a tool entered the E and scratched these lines into the die.
2. There are vertical lines that run above Liberty and seem to guide creating a basin effect in that area. The fields around Liberty slope from the rim down towards the Y.
Line Types-
So I believe there are 3 types of lines on the obverse die. The reverse has just fine scratches all over it.
Line Types on the obverse-
1. Primary fine scratches all over the die. More of a uniformed look around the Liberty side.
2. Possible guidelines for some kind of adjustments to the die. Vertical lines around Liberty and lines leaving the E dropping down to the date.
3. Scratch lines that might be due to something wiping across the surface of the die and scratching it after performing the adjustments?
The LMC's from the 80's often have lots of scratches from die polishing. I have always assumed that this occurred during die repair/maintenance. The scratches on this coin don't seem typical of the scratches on the 80's LMC's. Those scratches seem stronger whereas these are fine scratches. Also, I've never seen lines that appeared intentionally scratched as a guideline.
I don't think the obverse die was undergoing maintenance and repair. It seems like it was in a step or phase where it is receiving adjustments? I'm also not sure the die ever made it to the final hardening and polishing step? It seems strange that the die would be so scratched up like this? I'm wondering if the coin was struck by a working die that was maybe earlier in the die making step? I've tried looking for information that would describe any adjustments that could be made to the obverse die and haven't found anything. It does appear that a mint worker created a basin effect on the Liberty side and for some reason scratched lines into the die by entering the E. The 3rd line type is possibly some scratching that occurred when the die was wiped.
I'd like to get some other opinions on this coin? Has anyone seen lines that seem to be guidelines on a die? The 1960's LMC's have a slight basin effect around Liberty but the 70's seem pretty flat in that area?
Thanks for taking a look! Sorry for the long post and lots of pictures!
The coin seems a little darker than this. I used a lot of light to get these 2 images. Fine scratches on each side of the coin. More uniform scratches in the Liberty area.
Possible guidelines that seem to leave the E and drop down to the date.
Possible guidelines running vertically around Liberty. This area seems like a basin effect has been created.
These are line type 3. Possible scratches due to wiping the die.
Comments
Damaged coin worth 1 cent.
PMD coin
coins for sale at link below
https://photos.app.goo.gl/8FiWKGyewRfa5o1b7
Post mint damage, value 1 cent
The surfaces you see on both sides of your cent occurred after the coin was in circulation.
It’s been harshly cleaned with a lot of scratches.
It was not minted like that in any way, shape, or form – just a lot of scratches after someone got a hold of it.
I also initially thought it was PMD. However, I noticed that there is no damage on the rim of the coin on either side. On both sides the rim is clean and doesn't have these scratches.
Here are some images that better show the rim of the coin. The rim on both sides doesn't have these small scratches on them.
Here are 2 more images showing the rim of coin. The scratches doesn't show up on the rim. This is why I'm thinking the scratches were on the face of the die's?
The rims are intentionally the highest part of a coin. If that wasn't the case, the coins wouldn't stack.
There is no reason to assume that the rims were damaged in the same way as the fields.
There is every reason to assume that the rims received additional wear after the rest of the damage occurred.
Your coin is damaged. The exact details are unimportant. Spend it.
i like the rims were scratched but eventually wore down explanation
On my screen the scratches look incuse (scratched into the surface) which would mean they could not be on the die.
@FredWeinberg is the foremost expert in the world. Your coin is damaged. If you disagree, spend the money to submit the coin to PCGS. But you will just be wasting your money.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Thank you to everyone for checking it out. I really do think these scratches were on the dies. Even looking at how the scratches appear more uniformed on the liberty side, it has the appearance of a tool making the scratches. Also, the rims seem normal for a 1978.
I had also posted pictures of lines that are leaving the E and traveling under the T R U and dropping down to the date. This has the appearance of a tool entering the E and scratching these lines.
Thanks again for everyone checking it out! Maybe I'll try to find someone to show the coin to in person to get their opinion.
Red arrows show the lines leaving the E and traveling under the T R U and dropping down to the date.
Scratches that occur on the face of the die but not the rim.
You can show as many pictures and explanations as you want but you are wasting your
time if you think that there is anything else but scratches on your cent.
the rim point was addressed earlier
we all are seeing the E-TRU marks and that plus everything else are scratches on the surface of the coin and not on the die
A scratch on the die will result in raised lines on the coin. Are your lines raised? 🧐
Thank you! No more pictures I promise!
peacockcoins
@JBK
This image I had posted earlier shows the lines between the D and W as raised. I do have other images but I just promised not to post more images! But I do believe the lines are raised.