I have opened a new roll of Wyoming Quarters and most of the coins have a distinct wavy or rippled background - the waves are on Washingtons neck and the entire background of the coin. No ripples are on the lettering or Washington face. Is this common or would this be considered and error? Thanks, Jeff
I know there's an "orange peel" effect that is caused by overused dies. This could be what you've got. Sure looks like it. Is that a die crack going from the rim below the mintmark to the bow? That would support the "overused die" conjecture.
A lot of my Wyoning and Idaho quarters have that effect on both sides. I just assumed it was how they all looked. Guy~
Yeah I think Kanga is right---there is that orange peel look, and that would point the way of an older/over-used die. I think I also see some die fatigue on the letters and such...that would also go the way of an over-used die. Speedy
With this condition then, is it collectible or should I just roll them up and turn them back in to the bank? Thanks, Jeff
Well, it's still Mint State, as technically thats how they came out of the machines. But, it all depends on whether you like how they look or not. Guy~
That is an overly worn die. The rippled effect is caused by the metal flow over the surface of the die by the planchets during the strike. Eventually if the die remains in use it will form heavy radial flow lines
I believe, as others, that die fatigue is the cause of this. There are generally no premiums paid for this, and it is not an error, per se...Mike