the Lincoln Memorial is pretty much all there, but the rest of the words are either not there at all or partially struck.
Interesting. I have a feeling there was a bit of grease involved there. The rim is appropriately developed and untouched. That makes me doubt any postmint accident or shenanigans, which would have damaged the rim too. A weak strike would have affected the Memorial (highest point) first, I think. So "major greaser" would be my diagnosis. Is that just a scratch through the 8 of the date?
There is a scratch going straight down. But there seems to be a tail coming off the bottom of the 8. I can't tell what it is though.
Grease strike was my first thought but I was not sure being that is a lot of grease. Lol. I'm not sure of all the terms on these coins yet. It's a lot to learn.
It's a "lot" of grease in terms of coverage, but it's only a Cent-sized coin so not much grease would be needed to obliterate the whole thing. Which almost happened here.
Good to know! I know it is not worth anything other than a penny, but I think I'll keep it. I like it.
During striking, the force of the dies on each side of the planchet is always equal. The condition of your coin cannot be due to a weak strike.
Yeah, a weak strike will just leave the design elements not looking all that crisp. That reverse was almost obliterated by the grease on that die. I'd turn it in, get your money back. Actually, though, it's a keeper, as a good reference for a heavy grease strike.
HI sheila This old Marine has a different perspective, I have a hard time believing that much grease could be on a die, it's hard to believe the mint employees would let that much grease build up on a die but I guess it is possible since basically I don't know what I'm talking about according to other members, I would have to say this die is a worn-out die way beyond its use resulting in the loss of detail upon striking. It is common for the mint to use dies well belong there expected life, but this is only an old Marines opinion for what it's worth.It is still a nice find \V/
It's caused by a greased die, Semper Fi, clogging things up. That's what greased dies do. These machines run hot, that's why they grease them, so they don't seize up. The die was worked over, too. But nice theory, though. Lol...
ed Totally agree with you on the greasing it is my understanding, the newer presses that the mint is using now are set up with automatic greasers I am not sure on how they are set up to grease the machine and when. I just know on the older machines the greasing was done manually, and this involves shutting the press off while this was taking place. And after greasing the operator would make sure to wipe down any excessive grease before resuming operations The automatic greasers Does this while the machine is functioning under normal operations and it is quite possible that on this particular coinage run the machine had a bad grease seal causing the excessive amount of grease. The operator does not have the opportunity to wipe any excessive grease off.Basically the press operator only knows if the seal is bad, By visually seeing an excess amount of grease, or upon coinage inspection of the run. Any member who has actually hand greased a machine would know what I'm talking about when I mentioned bad grease seal. I'm just going back to all the articles that I have read with interview's from mint employees about overuse of dies beyond their life. And unfortunately many members tend to the grease caused this as an answer. I would believe it if they were just a couple of letters messing or a filled number, there is too much going on here to blame on grease. This is just an old Marines observation an opinion \V/
Add-on. I remember years ago reading an article about an interview with a press operator concerning this kind of an error, and if my memory has not failed me, I believe the individual stated. As a die gets used over too many times it has a tendency to lose its design elements in the striking process, and this can be visually seen by partial letters missing letters and design features. He also stated that if you continue to use the die the design elements on that die would gradually keep disappearing. And when he finds a problem only his supervisor has the authority to change the die or to keep running. (not the operator).
Okay ed less take this one step further. Under further examination the MRH 150 high-speed press that the mint uses for circulated coins is considered a hydraulic press, the RAM arm is controlled by a liquid not a grease it is a self lubricating piston. The only possible means of contamination to the die can only come from the blank wash residue which the blanks are clean prior to going to the pressing process. And I'm sure you have noticed on a lot of coins that come directly from the mint residue spots on the metal that are not clean thoroughly in the rinsing process. I will say under the old mint teen process it is possible for grease contamination but highly unlikely in today's Manning process. I guess his old Marine sees things a little different than others. Please take a look at this 150 high-speed press .