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What's going on with this Jefferson rim - Pic enclosed
Moonbiter
Posts: 652 ✭✭
I know this is nothing rare, but what is going on with this Jefferson rim? It's from a 2001 nickel I found in circulation. There is barely any raised rim, and it's angled instead of flat. It's angled on both the obverse and reverse. This coin does not look altered at all under 10x magnification. On the other side of the coin (top of pic you can't see), there is no evidence of a rim, just goes to that angle
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After the blank goes through the upsetting mill the edge of the planchet has a rounded surface. When it is struck in the press the planchet expands and makes contact with the collar creating a flat spot on the edge. As the strike continues the flat spot widens and it takes on the appearance you see on this coin, a flat edge with a "bevel" between it and where the rim is forming.
As the strike continues the flat edge gets wider and the rim gets wider and the "bevel" gets smaller. On a fully struck coin the bevel will be gone or almost gone. On a proof coin it goes completely and the edge meets the rim at a sharp ninety degree angle. If you look at any of the nickels in your pocket you should see this beveling effect to some extent.
The bevel is also a good test for plain edge president dollars. Since the coin is struck in the press before the edge is lettered you will also see this flat edge and bevel on the plain edge coins (You can also see it on lettered edge coins as well.). On coins that have been altered to remover the lettering you will typically see a rounded edge like you see on an unstruck planchet with no flat space. (Not to mention the missing vertical scrape marks that you see on the flat edge from being forced up and out of the collar.)
thanks.
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)