I know this is not an error, and I think I know the reason for these edge nips-- to determine metal authenticity, when the coin was in circulation?-- but I cannot find any info about this practice. I guess it's a search term problem? But all I can think to call them is edge nips. Help? Thanks.
I thought they (cheaters) would "shave" the edge of a coin to take precious metal from each specimen, and that is why the Mint started forming a reeded edge. Is that what you are thinking of when you say "to determine metal authenticity"? It looks like post-mint damage to me. ~ Chris
The nips were intentional and for some other purpose. You can see that they are equally spaced. It may have been to mount it in some sort of holder.
As far as my original reasoning, I guess I was thinking about something like biting a gold coin to see if it was real... thought they were somehow testing it. But I guess that's not it. (Where's the emoji for feeling stupid?)
Welcome to CT where stupidity is not a recognized membership characteristic. I have collected for 72 years and these youngsters help me everyday.
You are new at collecting coins and your guess, while inaccurate, was a good one. Please, don't feel stupid. For a newbie it was very intelligent. Live and learn. It's a beautiful coin but it's a shame about the damage. We can all speculate or guess as to how that damage occurred but only the person that did it will know.
Welcome to the neighborhood @adelaide888. Appears to be PMD, post mint damage done after leaving the mint. Reason? Who knows? Keep inspecting and asking questions to learn.
Biting a coin to see it was real. That was happening back in 1883 when the 1883 Liberty "V" nickel came out without cents. People would gold plate them and pass them off as a new $5 gold piece. You know that later in the year the mint changed them to V Cents. The biting was to see if the piece was real gold.
