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For the error guys-- how is a "double struck, off-center brockage maker" made?
Longacre
Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
I was taking a look at the upcoming Goldberg auction catalog. This coin jumped out at me. I am not an error guy, but I was wondering exactly how this coin was made, based on the description below. Here is what I see as the process, and the issues (or things that I don't understand):
(1) The coin first gets minted correctly.
(2) On the second strike, as noted below, a blank planchet comes into the press.
(3) The blank planchet gets struck between the obverse die and the "first strike coin"'s obverse. As a result, part of the obverse on the first-strike coin gets blunted by the blank planchet. The blank planchet now has an off-center brockage impression.
Question-- under this scenario, how can the reverse of the coin be so well-struck on the second impression? If there is an extra planchet in the press, and the first coin is off-center on the second blow, shouldn't that lead to distortion in the second impression on the reverse (because the dies now have a much thicker planchet to contend with)? Also, why doesn't the pressure from the second blow, along with a first coin which is 25% off-center, cause a bend in the first-coin? Hopefully this made sense.
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1834 Coronet Head Cent. N-4, R2. VG-10 Double Struck Off Center Brockage Maker. Large 8 with Small Stars. Slightly sharper with a small but deep dig in the field before the mouth and a dull dent over the E in CENT. Glossy light to medium brown. Smooth surfaces, free of corrosion or verdigris. Double struck. The first impression was properly centered but the second was 25% off center to K-11. The second strike was against a blank planchet on the obverse side leaving an impression from that planchet (and creating an off-center brockage impression on that other planchet in the process). The obverse details were blunted where it was pressed against the blank planchet, but the reverse details are strong. Another neat mint error, this one showing three different types of error (double strike, off center, and brockage maker).
Estimated Value $350-700.
Ex Superior 7/27/03:119.
(1) The coin first gets minted correctly.
(2) On the second strike, as noted below, a blank planchet comes into the press.
(3) The blank planchet gets struck between the obverse die and the "first strike coin"'s obverse. As a result, part of the obverse on the first-strike coin gets blunted by the blank planchet. The blank planchet now has an off-center brockage impression.
Question-- under this scenario, how can the reverse of the coin be so well-struck on the second impression? If there is an extra planchet in the press, and the first coin is off-center on the second blow, shouldn't that lead to distortion in the second impression on the reverse (because the dies now have a much thicker planchet to contend with)? Also, why doesn't the pressure from the second blow, along with a first coin which is 25% off-center, cause a bend in the first-coin? Hopefully this made sense.
***************
1834 Coronet Head Cent. N-4, R2. VG-10 Double Struck Off Center Brockage Maker. Large 8 with Small Stars. Slightly sharper with a small but deep dig in the field before the mouth and a dull dent over the E in CENT. Glossy light to medium brown. Smooth surfaces, free of corrosion or verdigris. Double struck. The first impression was properly centered but the second was 25% off center to K-11. The second strike was against a blank planchet on the obverse side leaving an impression from that planchet (and creating an off-center brockage impression on that other planchet in the process). The obverse details were blunted where it was pressed against the blank planchet, but the reverse details are strong. Another neat mint error, this one showing three different types of error (double strike, off center, and brockage maker).
Estimated Value $350-700.
Ex Superior 7/27/03:119.
Always took candy from strangers
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
0
Comments
The double thickness during the second strike would naturally cause a good impression on the reverse of the second strike, because of all that extra metal between the dies. That is normal.
I would bet that it was originally bent, but that somebody flattened it out along the way. I have seen many errors that were flattened out because some idiot thought that all coins are supposed to be flat!
Tom DeLorey
Like this one, no bent. The second strike with two planchets should be sharper unless there is a press mulfunction like this one.
San Diego, CA