I found this coin in an auction lot of about 50 clad Ike dollars. Note the letters "UNI" of United States, and the "ONE D" of the denomination are partially or totally not struck on the coin. The obverse is apparently normal, going over it carefully with a glass. I have examined the coin quite closely, with a low power microscope, and tilting, etc. I find no trace of hairlines or anything else, and the rim appears normal. What would have caused this, or is it a doctored coin, made to deceive??
Yup. Looks like a filled die error and and extremely weak strike. Do the rims and reeding look normal? Could be a tapered planchet too though.
The rim looks normal, and the reeding is uniform. I also used a micrometer on the rim, and there is a very tiny difference in the height, well under .001". I didn't mike the field, to prevent leaving marks from the spindle. Is there interest in this type of error? There was "error" written on the 2x2, but it could have easily been overlooked by the typical cursory once-over on these coins at an auction. It didn't have any effect on the price of the lot, in my limited experience with the Ike's.
Then it's a grease filled die error with a very weak strike as evidenced by the roller lines on both sides. Yes there is some interest to Ike collectors but not much as it's not that "dramatic." Maybe worth in the $20-30 range only because the whole of ONE is missing.
Here's one of mine. A very dramatic example of both dies being quite filled. This one is worth $150 +/-
The coin weighs 22 gr on a postage scale. It's just slightly underweight, for a clad, if the scale is accurate. It's a new scale, marketed by the USPOD, and expensive for its type. Would that be an indication of a tapered planchet?
Excellent, I was wondering about a grease filled die, but couldn't find much info on them. That makes the auction purchase a bargain, and gives me an interesting item for the collection. The illustration of the error on both sides, as above, is quite interesting. I can easily see the difference in value. Thanks to all who responded, and I'm quite happy that it is an error coin.
Here is a good site for Errors.http://www.error-ref.com/struck-through-smooth-viscous-material-grease-oil/
Great reference... I have most of the books on the Ike, and they list a number of errors, but nothing as complete as this. I'll bookmark it in my Ike folder for future reference. Thanks a lot for your help.