I posted this on "post your Lincolns" but not getting any replies, maybe this forum will be a better place. Going through some of my old wheats I saw this odd print of the ONE on this 1939. Is this cause from die inclusion ? Dave
It's post mint damage. Sorry.:rollling: A sharp object like a knife, chisel, razor blade, bayonet, scalpel, dirk, or any sharp small tool.
Watcha think ? OK, you guys & gals may be right about the post mint damage, but I fail to see any markings underneath the missing areas. If what you say the cause is from someone using a sharp instument, I would think there would be some tell-tell signs of gouging. Also what would cause the elongated arm on the E ? Examples shown 1. PMD coin & 2. A regular coin.
The metal was cut, peeled back and folded down over top the letters. That's all, no big mystery. Similar things happen rather often by accident. Dates, mint marks, letters, all of them have been found cut and moved by counting machines or rolling machines. This one though does appear to be have been done on purpose by some individual. And you can see traces of where the metal used to be.
Possibly over time since the damage occurred the marks have worn off? The 'E' doesn't seem elongated to me either. On a Wheat cent I have sitting here the bottom of the 'E' extends to the middle of the 'T'. It looks like the 'E' was damaged as well and cut at an angle, it just appears longer than normal. Correct me if I'm wrong. JP
