Thread: Strange mintmark

What happened to this mintmark, any help would be much appreciated.

Thats wild. Looks like a die crack formed off the tail of the 9 and exploded into a larger crack in the form of a D...

It does almost look like there are two
"D"s right next to each other. I would guess a die break/crack that just so happened to look like a D. Very cool find.

Looks like a die crack then mint mark was punched.but maybe FIR will add more?it a keeper for sure!!
can you post a better photo,like a close up of mint mark??

A dropped mintmark, kind of like a dropped letter? Infinity MM? Sweet find!

This is as close as i could get with my digital camera. Thanks for all the advice, i thought it kinda looked like a second D but it looks a little strange. I found it in my pocket change after a trip to sonic, gotta love happy hour.

Since mintmarks are punched in after the coin is struck, the coin, if it was made in denver, would have a D on that lump. Most likely this came from Philadelphia. Looks like a terrible cud. The coin may go for a buck.

Originally Posted by jibbit

Since mintmarks are punched in after the coin is struck, the coin, if it was made in denver, would have a D on that lump. Most likely this came from Philadelphia. Looks like a terrible cud. The coin may go for a buck.

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't a cud have to touch the rim?

Originally Posted by jibbit

Since mintmarks are punched in after the coin is struck, the coin, if it was made in denver, would have a D on that lump. Most likely this came from Philadelphia. Looks like a terrible cud. The coin may go for a buck.

The mintmark is punched into the working die before the coins are struck, not after. The coin does look like it could have been a dropped "D" element, but maybe Mike Diamond can give us a better explanation.

Chris

Originally Posted by lincolncent

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't a cud have to touch the rim?

A cud is supposed to form along the rim and extend at least partially into the field.

Chris

Originally Posted by cpm9ball

The mintmark is punched into the working die before the coins are struck, not after. The coin does look like it could have been a dropped "D" element, but maybe Mike Diamond can give us a better explanation.

Chris

If the 'D' was dropped it would have left an incuse mark.

Originally Posted by rockdude

If the 'D' was dropped it would have left an incuse mark.

Not on subsequent strikes of other planchets, it wouldn't. The dropped element is nothing more than compacted debris, grease, etc. After accumulating in the die from numerous strikes, it becomes extremely hard, almost like steel. When it does fall out and the die strikes it, it can leave an incuse impression in the face of the die. On subsequent planchets, the impression would be raised.

Chris

Originally Posted by cpm9ball

Not on subsequent strikes of other planchets, it wouldn't. The dropped element is nothing more than compacted debris, grease, etc. After accumulating in the die from numerous strikes, it becomes extremely hard, almost like steel. When it does fall out and the die strikes it, it can leave an incuse impression in the face of the die. On subsequent planchets, the impression would be raised.

Chris

I'm kind of new at this so I'm thinking that the dropped number or letter is not going to be hard enough to damage the hardened die.

this is a die break between the 9 and the muntmark. I have never heard of a dropped letter being hard enough to leave permanent damage to the die, and even if it were the copper planchet is softer than the die so it would be driven more into the coin than the die. The resulting damage wouldn't be as high relief as the mintmark.

Richard

Originally Posted by jibbit

Since mintmarks are punched in after the coin is struck, the coin, if it was made in denver, would have a D on that lump. Most likely this came from Philadelphia. Looks like a terrible cud. The coin may go for a buck.

If it were to come from Philadelphia there is no way to tell. Also, this is a very obvious error and hard to find, making it worth more than just a buck.