1989 Obv Oddity

Good morning. This 1989 cent looks as if the "N" in IN slipped down leaving deep grooves the width of each letter. Note the slight indents on rim from each letter as well.

 

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here's a better pic showing the slip grooves in this 1989 cent, the "N" in IN. Again, note dents in rim where die 1st hit, I guess.

 

I'm confused. Please explain how a letter that is permanently recessed into the die "slip down".

Chris

 

I remember reading about this (or something very similar) some years back, but forget the specifics and don't want to mislead you. The point is that this may (MAY) be worth looking in to, although mostly for educational purposes, instead of simply dismissing. I just wish I could remember....

 

Metal flow

 

Thanks for replies. You're confused? You and me both brother. I'll be doing research on what this is but was hoping some more senior folks might spot this and comment. It's both the "I" and "N" letters (not just the N as previously stated) that seem to have slipped down as if in mud leaving deep tire tracks in unison. And the indents in the rim indicate they hit there at one point. Help?

 

I know what you're talking about, but also see little reason to question Mr. Weinberg's expertise. However, I do wish I could remember what I referenced earlier, which in one way or another addressed the apparent "markings" on the rim.

The more I think about it, perhaps it was a CoinWorld article, and from maybe 5-8 years ago?

 

Odd looking, but just because something "looks" like something isn't any kind of proof. Ask yourself how this could have happened in the minting process. @Insider might have run across something like this in his checkered career.

 

and...

 

Never saw one. I agree with Fred's answer. Grooves into a die are generally caused by metal flow. These are unusually deep and wide. Nevertheless, that is the only explanation I can think of.

 

If it were grooves in a die, how was that caused by "metal flow" and if it were the die, wouldn't there be a lot of them out there?

 

Fred can you weigh in with more specifics? And is it at all a keeper?

 

@Fred Weinberg

 

It's hard to be more specific from just those
photos. I don't see it in the other letters,
which is a bit strange; it could also be
flow lines from a worn or overused die.

Those lines have nothing to do with any
groove in the die - a worn die, maybe.

To me, it's more of an anomaly than anything
else.

Hope this helps a little bit.

 

Fred, thanks mucho. But I'm confused. I ask your indulgence one last time!! Here are more pics. Question #1- there are 3 impact dents on the rim, what caused them if not the top tips of the letters? Question #2 - the letters, in their final resting positions, are a bit cockeyed vis-a-vis the tracks and not in direct alignment with the tire track grooves? Strange!Why? Question #3 - neither the grooves nor the letters are deformed in any manner, but perfectly formed, as if the letters slipped downward by gravity in slippery mud. Why? Thank you in advance!!

 

Die deterioration. Worn out die. See it a lot not a keeper. Value 1 red cent.

 

I know it looks odd, but ask yourself how a struck letter can slide? Die deterioration seems to be the logical answer. You can always take it to a dealer and see what they think and what they would give you for it. It is interesting.

 

Thanks all! I like the dealer visit

 

Honestly let us know how it goes.

 

Roger that!