1959 or 1957? What’s up with this penny?

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Simple answer..
If it has a Wheat Back it is a 1957.. If it has a Memorial Building on the Back it will be a 1959.
The Reverse design changed in 1959.

It looks like a 1959 that took a nice hit.
Post Mint Damage.

 

It’s a 1959-d that took a hit on the last 9.

 

Looks more like a damaged 9 than a 7 but follow what Paddyman said. The reverse is the key.

 

I know nothing about post mint damage, but how would a coin take a hit that turned a nine like the first one into the nine we see here at the end, without any sign of trauma to the rest of the coin? The back of the 9 has been straightened and moved over - which surely isn't possible with brute force. Perhaps in Photoshop, but not in reality.

 

Copper is a relatively soft metal. The numbers and letters are raised, and easily moved when struck with a small amount of force.
Something can strike just that area of the coin, affect the 9 and nothing else.

 

Yes in reality.. That's what occurred. I've seen many examples over the years. Not a Photoshop picture.
Any damage wil wear down over the years.

 

@John Conduitt
This website explains different forms of post mint damage including the slanted numeral issue.
http://lincolncentsonline.com/pmd.html

 

Ok fair enough. Vending and coin wrapping machines seem to take aim for the last digit in the date!

 

Ever see someone crack open a roll of coins on the edge of the cashiers draw?

 

Like @paddyman98 said - what is on the reverse?

 

Copper is soft and easily bent or moved, especially on a copper cent. An egg shell is hard until it is struck with something a little harder. Then is crumbles.

 

Thank you for all your input. It is the memorial building. I thought there were some errors out there however, of 1957 pennies with this reverse?

 

Thanks

 

Thanks for your feedback. I hope you don’t think mine is photoshopped?

 

No, there are no known examples of a Memorial reverse on a 1957 cent. There is a controversial 1959-D with a wheat reverse.
http://www.lincolncentresource.com/Controversial/Cents.html

 

Thank you for your feedback. Why would the top of the nine be straight on the top and the curved part look completely different from the other? I also thought that some of the 1957’s were accidentally minted with the Memorial building reverse.

Oh okay! ☹️ Thanks

 

If you are interested in Lincoln cents here are a few good reference sites. Read up on the minting process. Bookmark them and read the other information.
http://doubleddie.com/
http://varietyvista.com/index.htm
http://www.coppercoins.com/advsearch.php
http://www.lincolncentresource.com/index.html
http://www.lincolncentcollection.com/index.php
BTW, welcome to CT.

 

Thank you! Question? There has to be errors out there that are unknown and found. Is there a way to get your error verified? I live in a small town. I mean a new error can be found right? Just curious for the future. Even if it’s not on the list.