Hello, I am a coin collecting newbie and am not sure if this is type of error is of any value. The coin is a 1995 penny and not in great condition but in the word Liberty, the I and B have a "blob" that basically connects them. I have seen similar errors, especially on the mintmarks of nickels, in which a letter looked to be blob-like but i haven't seen any to this extent. Of course being a newbie that isn't saying much. Anyway, I tried to zoom in the best I could without making the photo blurry. Please let me know what you think, Common error/face value OR worth keeping? Thanks in advance.
I've found a few of those searching for the 1995 DDO. I'm pretty sure it's a die chip as all the ones I've found are identical. As far as value, I don't think they are worth much but I kept all of mine because I think they're cool. Welcome to CT!
Welcome to the forum! The die that strikes the coin is the opposite in depth in the coin. So the "L" "I" "B" etc. are formed by incluse areas of the die, whereas the thin separation between the side of the I and the B is a thin outward pointing blade like separation. As such , it has little support and is damaged often. leaving a depression in the space between the I and the B, which fills with metal to the same approx. depth of the letters themselves.Once the damage to the die is done, many similar cents can follow. A low level error, low in value, but many collect them, especially the ones that appear somewhat different, as damage to that part of the die can vary somewhat. Jim
Uh, that is just wrong. A grease-filled die usually causes a letter (or other raised element) to not fully strike up. A chipped die will usually cause a raised blob (like the one on the OP's coin). So this coin was struck by a die with a small chip.
Thanks everyone for the responses, and thanks for the welcome bonbon. I appreciate the thorough explanation Jim and hobo. I guess I'll hang on to it knowing it has no added value. Thanks again.
