1867 Shield Nickel with Rays - Strange looking effect on the date

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USA240
USA240 Posts: 107 ✭✭✭

Does anyone have any idea what is going on with the date of this 1867 Shield Nickel with Rays?
Seems to have some sort of shifted doubling effect - I was unable to find any known varieties that look like it.
Thank you for any input!





Comments

  • yosclimber
    yosclimber Posts: 5,322 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 7, 2024 1:02PM
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    Yes, looks like a repunched date, with the first punch slightly to the left, and the results of that first punch now appear on top of the letters from the second punch.
    Plus a nice die crack.
    I don't see an exact match in the photos at NGC Variety Plus, but they do show many RPDs for 1867 rays.

  • dcarr
    dcarr Posts: 10,255 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I see some anomalies along the right edges of the lower right leaves.
    I think the date is the result of a type of strike doubling.

  • Married2Coins
    Married2Coins Posts: 675 ✭✭✭
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    I see a large date over a small date. I THOUGHT strike doubling is a shift that is connected to the relief. Part of the 8 is on the right side of the one completely detached from the other part of the 8.

  • CaptHenway
    CaptHenway Posts: 34,164 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Married2Coins said:
    I see a large date over a small date. I THOUGHT strike doubling is a shift that is connected to the relief. Part of the 8 is on the right side of the one completely detached from the other part of the 8.

    The date is raised and therefore part of the relief.

    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
  • lilolme
    lilolme Posts: 2,993 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @CaptHenway said:
    One of the most magnificent examples of strike doubling (sometimes called "machine doubling") I have ever seen!

    After the strike, as the obverse die was retracting from the coin and/or as the coin was starting to be pushed up and out of the collar, the raised date digits came in contact with the date part of the die and a partial second date was embossed up onto the tops of the digits. The process itself it relatively common and sometimes even boring, but this one has pizazz! You see part of the second 8 on the right side of the 1.

    .
    Cool. Thanks.
    I enlarged the photo and put some arrows on it. As CapH described the fields between the numbers are on the top of the numbers. Shifted left and slightly up. Also the fields on the inside of the number 'loops' can be found. Also as DCarr mentioned it appears might be some above (yellow arrows).
    The bottom is just the same enlargement without the arrows for ease of viewing.
    .

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    RLJ 1958 - 2023

  • USA240
    USA240 Posts: 107 ✭✭✭
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    Thank you all for your replies!
    I do agree that the cause of the effect seen at the date is from strike doubling, and as CaptHenway stated, not your typical example!

  • The_Dinosaur_Man
    The_Dinosaur_Man Posts: 1,592 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Die cracks going through the date are some of my favorite for the series. One of the neatest examples I've seen had the date being torn apart like tectonic plates after an earthquake.

    Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
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  • World67
    World67 Posts: 13,098 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Cool, I've never seen anything like that before.

  • Typekat
    Typekat Posts: 729 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Plus, a strike-through (?) at the top of the ‘7’
    That coin really has a lot going on!

    30+ years coin shop experience (ret.) Coins, bullion, currency, scrap & interesting folks. Loved every minute!

  • USA240
    USA240 Posts: 107 ✭✭✭
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    If anyone is interested, this neat looking coin will be up for auction at Great Collections on May 31st
    CACG MS63
    Link - https://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/2142252/1867-Shield-Nickel-Rays-CACG-MS-63

    Thank you!

  • CaptHenway
    CaptHenway Posts: 34,164 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @CaptHenway said:
    One of the most magnificent examples of strike doubling (sometimes called "machine doubling") I have ever seen!

    After the strike, as the obverse die was retracting from the coin and/or as the coin was starting to be pushed up and out of the collar, the raised date digits came in contact with the date part of the die and a partial second date was embossed up onto the tops of the digits. The process itself it relatively common and sometimes even boring, but this one has pizazz! You see part of the second 8 on the right side of the 1.

    Obviously, I like it.

    I still like it!

    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
  • jacrispies
    jacrispies Posts: 1,638 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The obverse, left side, shows clear doubling across the dentilation. Especially around the lower left holder prong.

    "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
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  • jacrispies
    jacrispies Posts: 1,638 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 19, 2026 4:56PM
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    I agree with @CaptHenway's analysis. Although my initial thoughts included a complete double strike of the entire coin, the evidence clearly points to this being machine doubling. This is one of the most unique machine doubling specimens I have ever seen.

    "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
    BHNC #AN-10
    JRCS #1606

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,050 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The early years sure had alot going on then

  • Smudge
    Smudge Posts: 10,001 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Sometimes I say yes to crack. I like it, a lot going on with that one.

  • USA240
    USA240 Posts: 107 ✭✭✭
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    2 more days to go until this interesting coin goes to Auction at Great Collections - May 31st!
    https://forums.collectors.com/home/leaving?allowTrusted=1&target=https://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/2142252/1867-Shield-Nickel-Rays-CACG-MS-63
    Thank you!

  • USA240
    USA240 Posts: 107 ✭✭✭
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    Auction Day!


    Time for someone else to own and study this interesting coin - Thank you for all of the great comments and knowledge sharing!

  • CaptHenway
    CaptHenway Posts: 34,164 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Were you happy with the hammer price?

    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
  • jesbroken
    jesbroken Posts: 11,252 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Hope he was. I don't know which RPD# this coin would have been but I would think it to be a pleasant price. JMO
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • USA240
    USA240 Posts: 107 ✭✭✭
    edited May 31, 2026 6:40PM
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    @CaptHenway said:
    Were you happy with the hammer price?

    Yes - I think it sold for a decent price that was good for myself and the new owner!

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