Does anyone know of an example of a letter being dropped from a hub to a die? Reading another thread got me to thinking about that. When looking at dropped letters we always assume incuse; however, if the letter were dropped from a hub to a die then the image of that letter produced on the coin would be raised. Just one of those early morning thoughts.
I don't think it would be reasonable. I don't think it would be reasonable. First they inspect them very well and must clean them before of after the first and other hubbings. You are probably thinking, "well they missed doubling" on dies but this is most likley not true. In most cases they new it was there but it was to minor to be removed. Or decided to let the doubled die coins (esp.the ones already struck) to go out. This happened on the 55 DDO-001. It would require a build up of debris found only on working dies, grease, metal shaving and such. These are not as present during the hubbing of dies as in production of coins. Now with that said there is always possibilities of the catogory "god knows what" happening. This was the case with the 1957-D quarter I helped discover for the Wexler files. A "D" is punched into the wreath potion about 6 millimeters west from the primary. Then it was found to be on 4 different working dies pretty much eleminating it being an errent "D" RPM. Wiles disclaimed it as being from a staple or something but those of us who have one or have seen it know, "it looks like a "D" and nothing else. so,,, why would a mint tech put a "D" into to a working hubb or master die ???????????? There is still stuff without a answer. You are asking very good, probing questions - just what this forum needs, Thanks!!!
I found 1964 Washington Quarter with a 1 or an L on the forehead.it stick out like it was stuck there. but a photo would help
Thanks for the detailed answer. I thought that it would be improbable given the number of strikes they make with working hubs and also given the inspection process, but stranger things have happened.
I take it that you were referring to my cent that I posted. Here's an article by Ken Potter that explains the dropped letter: http://www.numismaster.com/ta/numis/Article.jsp?ad=article&ArticleId=5974
Here's another example. scroll down to the bottom: http://home.comcast.net/~khrussva/Die_Variety_News_Issue_2.pdf#19
Good article. However, I was wondering not about the typical dropped letter from die to planchet, but rather a dropped letter from hub to die. If this ever occured it would produce a raised letter on the surface of the coin.
Since the details on a hub are raised, there is little opportunity for crud to accumulate within its interstices. However, it's not impossible. But a dropped letter from a hub would constitute the outline of a letter, not the letter itself, since the crud would accumulate around the raised letter.
Mike, Good point. That didn't even cross my mind. Now that you point it out it's one of those "duh" things.
