The other day I received an 2005 uncirculated quarter set from the U.S. Mint... one of the quarters has extra material around the edges. On one side of the coin's face, this appears as small metallic dots around the edge of the coin face. When I first saw this, I thought it was some sort of debris or metalic dust, but when I put pressure on it, it didn't come off... these extra dots of material are clearly part of the coin. Is this anything unusual? Does this happen often? Is there a name for this? Thanks! Tom
Tom, If possible, could you post a picture of the coin? It would make it easier for everyone to give you an accurate responce.
I think what Tom has discovered is a well struck coin with a new collar. When the coin is struck the metal is forced against all the irregularities on the inside of the collar. Then when the anvil die is forced up through the collar all of those tiny irregularities SCRAPE down the side of the coin and leave tiny little rolls of metal around the valleys of the reeding on the anvil side of the coin. Take a silver eagle (Because it is larger and easier to examine) and examine the edge reeds closely. For about a quarter of the thickness of the coin things will look normal (hammer side) but then for the other three quarters you will see shiny scraped metal and then metal lumps around the edge of the reeds (anvil side). Once you know what to look for you will see it on many Mint State coins.
Wow, that sounds exactly right! Hey thanks so much.. that sounds exactly right. I'd say you've nailed it too. So I'm guessing this would appear more on uncirculated mint coins more than proofs? I haven't noticed this anywhere else except these plastic wrap coins. Thanks again! Tom