what happened to this merc?

Discussion in 'Error Coins' started by cncman, Apr 23, 2011.

  1. cncman

    cncman Senior Member

    Found this in a 90% lot. Has a pebbled texture, features are weak and mushy. Almost looks like a cast coin. Maybe sitting in some chemical for a long time? Doesn't look like any mint error I have seen.




    cmerc1.jpg cmerc2.jpg cmerc3.jpg cmerc4.jpg
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. SWThirteen

    SWThirteen Needs a 24/7 Coin Shop

  4. cncman

    cncman Senior Member

    thanks, I don't think struck through because it is on both sides. I was originally thinking it was run over on gravel but the rim is intact without really any damage. And if you look at
    the highpoints with wear like on the hair it is smooth, while the lower areas have that uniform pitted look. This would suggest something happened before it was circulated too much right?
    Of course if it was in some kind of chemical and then circulated this would explain it too.
     
  5. iGradeMS70

    iGradeMS70 AKA BustHalfBrian

    Yeah; I agree. It definitely looks to be some sort of PMD. If it were infact stuck through cloth, the design would be very faint and hard to make out on the surfaces. On this coin, you are still able to see the bust very clear. It could be some type of corrosion, but it just doesn't look porous enough.

    -Brian
     
  6. cncman

    cncman Senior Member

    the thing that gets me is that the lettering especially the date is so mushy, and that it is so uniform in the pattern. I am thinking it must have been in some kind of an acid and then circulated again.
     
  7. iGradeMS70

    iGradeMS70 AKA BustHalfBrian

    It may have just been a weak strike in that particular spot or got an increased amount of friction on the surface causing noticable wear on that specific spot on the coin.

    -Brian
     
  8. TheNoost

    TheNoost huldufolk

    it was buried in the ground at one point I imagine.
     
  9. IQless1

    IQless1 What became of subtlety**

    I can think of two additional possibilities, but neither are very strong. One is that the dies (or coins) were greasy, or wet in some way. the other is more of an observation. It looks like there is evidence of pitting which could indicate a contaminated alloy, a corrosive agent, or both. The pattern on the obverse really screams grease though.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page