Oddly Shaped 1987 Penny with Red Edge

Discussion in 'Error Coins' started by Elendis, Jul 11, 2020.

  1. Elendis

    Elendis New Member

    The edge is a solid red/orange color that thins, with the smallest point at the bottom of Lincoln and top of the Lincoln monument. I took it a local coin dealer who said it looked like it was shaved/damaged, but weighed it and found it to be the correct weight for a penny. Any ideas on whether this is an error, and what type of error it would be?
     

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  3. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

    Worn Die Strike. Not an error.
     
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  4. Danomite

    Danomite What do you say uh-huh

    I agree with paddyman.
     
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  5. Elendis

    Elendis New Member

    I'm not sure a worn die strike can change the length and width of a coin. For added perspective, I've taken a few more photos with a normal penny and with better lighting.

    Something to note that might not be easily seen in my photos is that the coin seems to missing a raised rim along the rim where the edge lowers, and the rim that is raised is much lower than that of a normal penny.

    Thank you for taking the time to analyze my coin.

    Edit: I forgot to mention that the L in liberty is on where the rim of the penny should start, and that the missing _ is visible in person.
     

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  6. thomas mozzillo

    thomas mozzillo Well-Known Member

    The ridge ring around part of the 1987 cent is evidence of a worn die. It's hard to see the difference between the coins by a photo. Maybe we could see the elongation easier if you place it under the 84D. Or, show a measurement of the widest part of each coin. Also, it's very easy to change the shape of a coin. Elongated coins are collectable.
     
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  7. Danomite

    Danomite What do you say uh-huh

  8. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Just a worn die. Not a Mint error.

    Welcome to CT.
     
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  9. Elendis

    Elendis New Member

    Update: After further analysis, I've found that the entire coin is missing a proto-rim.
    1987fig1.png

    In fig. 1 you can see the rim developed from the die press.

    1987fig2.png

    In fig. 2 the absence of a proto-rim is apparent.

    This rim pattern continues around both faces of the entire coin.

    The two possibilities that I've thought of to explain this are that either the proto-rim was sanded down to imitate possibility 2 (most likely), or the penny was struck on a blank planchet, but that would not explain the edge being smooth.

    My best guess (in favor of myself) as to what could have caused this is that the penny was struck on a type 2 blank:

    from https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/328/

    The edge of the penny is relatively smooth, but has irregularities and scratches that make the coin having been sanded from a normal state seem unlikely.
     
  10. Elendis

    Elendis New Member

    I've upgraded to a microscope, so I decided to come back to this coin and re-examine it to see if I missed anything. It seems like I was correct in thinking the coin was missing a "proto-rim" - the coin has a slight mad/off-strike, and the blank portion looks to be missing a lip.
    S20200723_0014.jpg S20200723_0016.jpg S20200723_0031.jpg

    Is this a vestige of being struck off center, or PMD? Attached are higher quality pictures of the obverse/reverse, if you're interested.
     

    Attached Files:

  11. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    Worn die strike. No added value.
     
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  12. Clawcoins

    Clawcoins Damaging Coins Daily

    that worn die really made a large bulbous ridge ring on that. ick.

    good luck in your coin collecting ventures
     
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  13. Mountain Man

    Mountain Man Supporter! Supporter

    Welcome to CT @Elendis. I see where your head is on this coin. Have you used a caliper to measure the thickness of cent in each clock position? Your pictures only show what appears to be a normal edge, but if the measurements indicate a slightly different thickness, then it may be a slightly tapered planchet. Check this out: http://www.error-ref.com/tapered-planchets/
    Just a thought based upon your own observations of the coin.
     
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  14. Clawcoins

    Clawcoins Damaging Coins Daily

    remember, this is a badly worn die, circulated and icky dirty 1987 Zincoln ...

    The Mint doesn't even make those planchets. The cent planchets are made by Jarden Zinc products in Tennessee and delivered to the US Mint facilities in large pallets which contain 700,000 planchets each. Of course they create the planchets which go through a blanking machine; then upsetting machine; then cleaning, smoothing and polishing; then the copper electroplating process using an "oblique barrel plating line" to ensure the copper plating covers the entire planchet including the rim. The US Mint receives the planchets which are ready for minting.

    So one has to first understand the Jarden processes, not the pre Zinc cent processes. But you can still get a tapered planchet.

    but considering this one is slightly "not round" and the edge shows wavers, one could guess that it got lightly smashed after it left the mint. Just lightly, nothing like those machines that flatten coins.

    that would be my guess ... damaged and a badly worn die which also created a bulbous ridge ring.
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2020
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  15. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    What is a "proto-rim"?
     
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  16. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Yes, please explain that term.???
     
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  17. Danomite

    Danomite What do you say uh-huh

  18. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

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  19. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

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  20. Mr.Q

    Mr.Q Well-Known Member

    You are very determined better luck with future posts. Welcome to CT be safe
     
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  21. Spark1951

    Spark1951 Accomplishment, not Activity

    ...agree with all on worn die...additionally has a weak reverse strike, all very common results with Zincolns and has NAV.

    @Elendis ...use cotton gloves or only handle coins by the edge. Your coin has no premium but you will degrade coins handling with naked fingers: finger oil from your skin. You see it manifested as fingerprints on even the nicest coins.

    ...Spark
     
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