First of all I apologize for the pictures, they are the best my phone will do and I'm currently at work without my gear. 2nd, someone please explain to me what's going on with this dime so I can toss it far away from me. I don't know where to start but they say a picture is worth a thousand words so I shall let them speak.
I have never seen anything like that reverse in the standard error books and think it is legit but PLEASE do not hold it with metal pliers or tweezers. Hopefully yours are plastic. Have you weighed it?
They are indeed plastic. I purchased them from Fisher scientific a number of years ago. The weight of the dime is 2.2281g according to the laboratory balance here at work.
Am I seeing tripling around the base of the torch as well? A faint strike directly below and another just to the left? Im just not comprehending this, I've came close to tossing it away a few times before finally deciding to post it here.
Glad you posted it instead of tossing it! The way the images are all doubled to the south make me think it is legitimate. But why the coin isn't fully round and the 3 evenly spaced protrusions in the torch, below the S and U make me scratch my head. Fred will know....
I hope so. The strike order and degree of relief from what I am assuming is the 2nd strike is driving me mad. The final strike is obvious, the 2nd appears to be the off center that coincides with the doubling of the torch handle to the left, which is a higher relief than the lettering. Though the doubling of the 2nd strike on the lettering more closely resemble the 1st strike just below the torch. Which would be impossible considering the spacing and rotation orientation...
Def. not a throw away. The lettering on the second strike is correct. You might also consider emailing John Wexler and attach your photos to your email. Looks legit to me also. Fred may be at a show considering the holiday weekend. He may be more likely to respond if you contact him in a PM here.
Thank you for the advice and confirmation. I will wait until Fred gives his opinion before proceeding to contact Mr. Wexler. They say patience is a virtue, one that I've been lacking in lately so it will do me good. I may have a go at it with the Brasso and an old toothbrush to shine it up a bit while I wait. I'm joking of course
These fake die defacements are unfamiliar to me. So many things seem correct with multiple strikes but at the same time so many do not. Perhaps I should take closer heed to my grandfather's advice who introduced me into coin collecting. "What appears unique and exceptional has great odds that it is not." I do thank you for your taking the time to verify this. It's been sitting in the safe for quite some time now.
