Is this an error or strike issue? 1940-S Mercury Dime

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by swagge1, Sep 2, 2011.

  1. swagge1

    swagge1 Junior Member

    I picked up this 1940-S Mercury Dime PCGS MS66 on an online auction the other day. On the bottom of the obverse there seems to be some weird characteristics that I haven't seen before. It looks like the rim as been smashed into the date somewhat. The same is true on almost the same spot on the reverse. It is so pronounced on the reverse that the TE in STATES has been clearly "smeared" or distorted in some way. Notice the top of the O in OF and how it appears to have been worn or flattened. What do you think? Struck through grease on both sides, misaligned dies, or something else? Is this an error at all and does it command any premium? Thanks.

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  3. swagge1

    swagge1 Junior Member

  4. jello

    jello Not Expert★NormL®

    Can you get a better photo of mark on obv??
    the rev is just a weak strike I think?
     
  5. LindeDad

    LindeDad His Walker.

    Slightly off center strike is what I see. Not enough to be a true error of value.
     
  6. swagge1

    swagge1 Junior Member

    I'll try to get better pictures later on this weekend.
     
  7. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    It's not an error, it's post strike damage. Not sure how it could have happened, it appears to have been deliberate. But the rim in those locations has been ground/filed down.
     
  8. swagge1

    swagge1 Junior Member

    Im not sure how PCGS would slab this coin as MS66 if it was filed down like that. Seems like it should have been bagged if that was the case.
     
  9. kanga

    kanga 65 Year Collector

    I tend towards a misaligned die.
    They weren't perfectly parallel to each other hence that area didn't strike up completely.

    BOTTOM LINE: No extra value; in fact less value than average for that grade.
     
  10. LostDutchman

    LostDutchman Under Staffed & Overly Motivated Supporter

    I would say it looks like it was struck through grease.
     
  11. swagge1

    swagge1 Junior Member

    Here are some closer up pictures of the areas in question.


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  12. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Wouldn't be the first time they screwed up. Dang sure won't be the last.
     
  13. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    I considered it, but even in the first pics I can see scratch marks in the areas affected. Based on the pics I gotta stick with my original opinion.
     
  14. d.t.menace

    d.t.menace Member

    Maybe a planchet issue? Looks like it might be a little thin in that area.
     
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