Hi! My name is Richard and I'm new to coin collecting. I was looking through some Lincoln Cents and found this 1981 LMC. I consider it a DDR, at less, I hope it is! I have looked through my United States Coins 2018 Guide, Cherrypicker's Guide, and Mega Red 2019 Guide, and not one had anything of the 1981 DDR. Could it be a rare unique or one of a kind DDR? Depending on the input, I would like to send it to be certified as authentic, graded, encapsuleted, then to auction. If not, what value would you place on it. That's my time, thanks for yours.
Keep swinging, Richard. What you're seeing happened when the planchet was struck by the dies into a coin. We call it, "strike doubling." Die doubling is on the die itself. This doubling wasn't. This doubling was imparted because the planchet slipped or hopped or slid but at any rate was jarred when the dies smashed into it. Yes, we can tell that just looking at it. These are minted very rapidly, like machine-gun fire. The collars securing the planchets get loose from all the heavy banging, and remnants like this are left. This is metal trying to leave an impression on metal, it's not like cutting fresh-baked cookies. It's a violent business, but someone has to do it.
Welcome to CT Richard. Good eye on that coin and as already stated, not a true Doubled Die, but a MD, mechanical doubling. Something I usually do with new members that post thumbnail photos is to give them this information. Hope it helps in the future. You should always post in focus FULL IMAGE photos (after you upload your photo, two buttons appear: Thumbnail and Full Image, click Full Image and your photo appears full size on your post and is easily enlarged by clicking on it). Photograph coins on neutral backgrounds like black, grey, or white. Crop out superfluous background so just the coin shows, and post photos with correct orientation so members don't have to turn their computer in some awkward fashion to view it properly. While it isn’t always necessary, it is nice to show both the full obverse and reverse, even if your question is just about one side. Members can often give more valuable information having both sides to evaluate. Add close ups of areas you have questions about and make your questions as definitive as possible so we know what you are asking for. And try to have the best lighting possible to show the most favorable photo of the coin. Hope this helps in the future. Good luck.
