Error Rim Indian Head Penny

Has anyone seen a coin like this? Its a 1890 Indian Head Penny that seems to have an error on the rim. It's very thick.

 

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There is such a thing as a thick planchet error, but I don't know if this is it. The shape of the coin is weird, like it appears to be bulged out on the edge. Not sure what's going on here.

Also, your coin appears to be very corroded and is probably not worth anything other than as a conversation piece.

 

Yes, I've seen something like that many times.
It's a dryer coin, not a mint error.

 

It almost looks like an independent ring around the coin from where I sit. It may have been a piece of jewelry on a charm bracelet.

 

We can't be completely sure what mechanism caused it, aside knowing it was postmint, but we refer to them as "dryer coins" or "spooned" coins. The former is an accidental trip inside the tub of a commercial dryer, which is double-layered. It can bang around in there for a long time before being recovered and this is the look imparted. The latter is a deliberate act on the part of someone with a lot of time on their hands - you tap the edge endlessly with a spoon or similar, with the idea of ultimately creating a ring by drilling out the center when you've achieved enough thickness at the edge. Popular thing to do if you're in prison and have nothing but time to kill. The loss of diameter is key to attributing the damage.

 

I found this nickle a long time ago - probably same problem the OP coin has?

 

Yep.

 

Thanks for the reply it is smaller in diameter. Dryer coin it is.

 

Some people choose to call it a "dryer coin", but I disagree because the edge is too perfectly formed. If the coin were in a dryer, the edge and/or the obverse and reverse would be hit randomly.

I believe your coin has been "spooned". It is a common method used to enlarge the edge all the way around the perimeter. It is also the first step in turning a coin into a ring.

Chris

 

That is my thinking.

 

It looks encased to me too. But if it is smaller in diameter then I go with spooned.

 

Agreed.... even if the same general idea or somewhat similar result, the label of "dryer coin" is overused.

 

FWIW, I've been familiar with the term "spooned" for decades, but I never heard the term "dryer coin" until I joined CT about 6 years ago.

Chris

 

Same here other than I was previously familar with "dryer coin", but never before saw it used in such a blanket manner.

 

I expect the IHC presented here is spooned, for the era of the coin and lack of face damage - which you correctly infer may be expected of a dryer coin. But, the fact you hadn't heard of them does not negate their existence. I usually don't link back to my old forum but you should read this:

http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=143863

 

Yes, I have seen examples of dryer coins posted here on CT, but they have always displayed surface damage from excessive heat.

Chris

 

from a 'lucky coin' holder

 

excuse my lack of knowledge, but what is a 'dryer' coin?

 

This link could help you:

http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=79493