I like to examine coins for extraneous, unusual features...one I refer to as a Very Light Extraneous Mintmark (VLEM). It's just something I do for my own amusement. I've found a few interesting things, and I thought that every now and then I'd share one on CoinTalk. First, I admit freely, I may have a vivid imagination! What I think I see may be just random shadows or coincidental stuff. I'll let everyone judge for themselves. Light mintmarks don't have the exact shape as the original...just the highest points on the mintmark will show. Each mintmark variety will have it's own high points signature. The first coin is a 1940 S/S/S/S mercury dime. Info on it here: http://varietyvista.com/Mercury Dime Files/1940SRPM001.htm Who would be surprised it there a fifth S? See if you can spot what I'm talking about...
Having a few beers beforehand is definitely helpful ... and highly recommended. . The way I think about it is that each mintmark punch style has a signature...sort of a connect-the-dots of it's highest points. One would think that any other VLEM from the same style punch would appear roughly the same. Once you've seen one you know what to look for. There are also lots of abrasion lines in that area of the coin, which hypothetically anyway, suggests they tried to remove what was there... If you think this one is far-fetched, you'll need a couple of shots of bourbon for the next one... Cheers
Sometimes yes and sometimes no. The high points might also depend on whether or not the diesinker is holding the letter punch completely perpendicular or not. Suppose that the highest point is on the north side of the punch, but the diesinker has tilted the punch slightly to the south. Chris
Agreed... BTW there is a great picture of a guy punching a mintmark on Mr Wexler's site: http://doubleddie.com/58243.html
