I am hoping someone might have encountered this type of mark on other quarters. Just to the right of UNUM (next to the M) is an odd mark that kind of looks like the letter L. I have searched through other images of the 66 to see if any others bore the same mark, but came up empty. Any opinions rendered will be greatly appreciated.
That looks kinda neat. I've never seen it before but I'm kind of new to collecting. Hopefully someone here who is more the expert can tell you what it is.
I'd say scratch also, but if you can ...try to look at the image under a microscope, or something else with good magnification, and see if you can discern it's characteristics. Look to see if it's an imprint vs a scratch.
I'm tempted to say it's post-mint damage, but you'd have to look at it under higher magnification. If it looks like metal is pushed up along the edges, then it is probably PMD, but if the fields are smooth right to the very edge of the mark, then it could have been the result of a strikethrough. Chris
Thanks so much for the suggestions/opinions. I put the coin under the microscope and found that the upper portion of the "L" is perfectly smooth (no raised portions, no burs, no scratches, etc.). The bottom portion of the "L" is rough and raised. The coloring of the upper part of the "L", matches the surrounding letters; the bottom portion of the "L" is darker I am not sure if coloring makes a difference, but it might be useful. I also discovered that the scratch (that runs from the tip of the eagles beak to the "I" in America) is actually a big, continuous, crack. So needless to say I am still a bit confused. If any one can shed some light on what this might be, it will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Good thing you examined closer. That crack will perk some interest for sure. Good luck, I know little about this so will leave it to others.
From your description, the "L-shape" is probably PMD and the force of the impact (something struck into it?) was directed toward the bottom of the "L" and that is why there is metal pushed up there. The "crack" might possibly be a defect in the clad layer. Chris
