interesting cent

gene2393 · February 27, 2010 4:52PM

I would like to get an opinion on this 200? something lincoln memorial cent. I found it in a roll of pennies i picked up from he bank and just it out to get an opinion on it.... sorry if the images aren't the best, they are taken with a cellular phone. What could have caused this?

Gene2393

stinkinlincoln · February 27, 2010 4:54PM

Trial strike? Greese filled dies? Uber weak strike?

TexasNationals · February 27, 2010 4:56PM

post mint damage, coin counter or messing around with a circular sander.

stinkinlincoln · February 27, 2010 4:57PM

If a sander with any size grit, wouldnt there be some marks of some type in a circular motion?

TexasNationals · February 27, 2010 5:03PM

Maybe not circular but a vibrating sander, it is obvious that some 1600 or 1800 grit was used, the date close up tells the story.

gene2393 · February 27, 2010 5:04PM

That is one thing that i had thought of. Also, the only thing close enough in size that i think would even be close enough to leave any markings of the sort would be a hand dremel, even then you would be seeing some slight grooves, the surfaces appear to me to be smooth.

gene2393

stinkinlincoln · February 27, 2010 5:08PM

I think its somehting from the mint. Not sure, but I see what youre referring to in regard to the marks by the date, but its not looking like it should from a sander... Ive played alot in the garage with power tools and coins for a short time in my youth.

It looks like a trial strike or test strike.

TexasNationals · February 27, 2010 5:09PM

I use 1800 grit for clear coat polishing when I work on cars(my other hobby), this stuff is super fine, texture is almost like printer paper. I have hit chrome trim and aluminum trim with it and it looks just like that. Doesn't appear to be struck trhu or and kind of die polish. Just my 2 cents I have certainly been wrong before.

stinkinlincoln · February 27, 2010 5:12PM

Hey, I could be wrong too, I just view it as us bouncing possible ideas around.

Could very well be a sander or something, its just that something about the legends makes me think mint made ya know.

TexasNationals · February 27, 2010 5:24PM

Oh I feel you, it is certainly strange and I can't rule out a trial strike, defective planchet or some material coming between the die and planchet.

stinkinlincoln · February 27, 2010 5:29PM

This is where Im getting hung up on, check out the close up of the rev shot where UNITED ends, and STATES begins... The last letter in UNITED and the first letter in STATES seems really weak compared to the rest of the letters in those two words... See what Im seeing?

gene2393 · February 27, 2010 5:42PM

stinkin lincoln,
i see what you are talking about, the same thing is going on right around the last of "one" and beginning of "Cent"

stinkinlincoln · February 27, 2010 5:46PM

Thats why Im thinking mint made. Theres some issues it has that makes it look altered... But......

Also, check out the obv image of Lincolns hair area... Seems really weak in details, or altered. But, the rev center should resemble that if altered right? It doesnt appear to be from the images, at least to my eyes anyway.

But, theres things on this coin that make me think mint made. I could be wrong, but Im going with my gut on this one. Fred Weinberg might chim in with a better theory or answer.

Hope I helped ya in any way. Also interesting piece regardless.

gene2393 · February 27, 2010 5:53PM

i checked the weight, it is the standard 2.5 grams. one thing that makes me wonder if it is a mint made alteration or not is the fact that Lincolns jaw and the memorial seem to be unharmed... it seems to be majorly focused on the edges of the coin.

stinkinlincoln · February 27, 2010 5:55PM

Im really thinking mint made...

Harry779 · February 27, 2010 8:49PM

heres one i recently found.I can see that the date is "200?"

StubbyMcNumbthumbs · February 27, 2010 9:39PM

Any amount of sanding to smooth it down that much would reveal the zinc underneath. The outer layer of copper is not that thick.
I vote "faulty" mint production.

Rob790 · February 28, 2010 12:39AM

"Die Adjustment Strike"

ctf_error_coins · February 28, 2010 12:41AM

Weak Strike or Filled Dies.

crazyhounddog · February 28, 2010 12:50AM

Trial strike...If the cent was sanded down it would be a different color...

errormaven · February 28, 2010 1:12AM

It's a genuine error. The pattern of weakness isn't fully compatible with a weak strike, since the center of the Memorial seems well-struck. The general pattern of weakness is more reminiscent of a grease strike. At the same time, the design rim, while all there, isn't particularly well-developed and we have a beveled rim/edge junction. That's what you'd expect in a weak strike. A grease strike usually has a taller design rim and a flat edge.

My suspicion is that this is a combination weak strike / grease strike.

interesting cent

Comments

Leave a Comment