I have gone through about 10 rolls of these and have seen nothing really remarkable. Most of the cents have many hits and more and more are spotted (so much for them looking cleaner when I started). This last roll uncovered about 12 cents with a die crack in the hair line. This is not at all uncommon but still fun to find. With the 1st one I thought it was just a planchet issue. When the next one looked exactly the same I knew it was a small die crack/chip. No premium for these so most will go back to the bank. Just thought I would share (different angles and different coins).
Die cracks sometimes correlate to other attributes. Sometimes die cracks correlate to doubling, so better send some in for attribution before offloading them. I got some 2010 from Puerto Rico from BEFORE the actual release of the successor to the Memorial and 09 commemortive Lincoln issues which had die cracks. Still have them.
If I am seeing your image correctly I don't think it's a die crack. It looks more like a die inclusion, i.e., something (a thread?) was between the die and the planchet when the coin was struck. After the strike whatever it was fell away.
Not speaking as an expert, but rather just from a point of what seems logical to me.... Would a die inclusion produce multiple coins with the same "error" or "issue" that are identical, or would the inclusion move from strike to strike so it wouldn't produce multiple identical errors?
"Would a die inclusion produce multiple coins with the same "error" or "issue" that are identical ..." It could if the item causing the mark on the coin stuck to the die AND didn't move around. In general this would be unusual. "... or would the inclusion move from strike to strike so it wouldn't produce multiple identical errors?" This is more likely BUT still unusual. Most likely is that the item would move around but only affect a few coins, often only one. This depends upon the nature of the item. A thread from a wiping cloth would not last lomg on the die. A piece of wire from a brush could last much longer since it could easily embed itself into the die. The key as to whether it is a die crack or a die inclusion is the nature of the mark. A die crack would result in a "ridge" (raised) on a coin. A die inclusion would result in a "scratch" (gouge) on a coin. Where it gets a bit hairy is when the inclusion is a piece of wire. While it's present on the die it produces the "scratch" on a coin. BUT When it falls off it may also leave a "scratch" on the die. After that the die will leave a "ridge" on a coin. At this point the diagnosis as to whether it's caused by a crack or inclusion depends upon the appearance of the mark. Cracks tend to be erratic but inclusions, particularly caused by a wire, tends to be rather linear.
The area in question has shown up exactly the same over 40 cents that I have noticed. The line is very thin. Under a 30x loupe it is hard to tell if its raised. Tomorrow I will put it under a microscope and get pictures. Because it is repeated the same over so many coins, I believe it is a crack.
So now I am a little stumped. The line is not raised but sunken. The blob at the end is raised. I have over 40 cents with the same pattern. I grabbed 4 this morning randomly from my desk. What I saw under the scope was that 2 of them had an additional raised line branching off to the top of the hair line. On these the normal blob was not at the end but the sunken line was still there. Picture 201219 is looking down the face of the coin at about 70 degrees. This shows the line is not raised. Black and white provided better contrast. Thoughts?
What you have is a bi-level die crack. Instead of being characterized by lateral spread (which produces a raised line), you instead have slight vertical displacement, producing a step. One side of the die sank in slightly on one side of the crack. Bi-level die cracks develop fairly often in Lincoln's hair.
Thank you Mike, I knew cracks were common in the hair but the difference in levels threw me. I appreciate you stopping by! Best Wishes ~ Darryl
\ Looked like a simple die crack to me...thanks for the explanation!! Even with the great photography, I have a hard time distinguishing a "step" from a "rise".
Under a 30X loupe it was hard to tell! a 10MP camera with a great macro function couldn't pick it up. I needed a 60X microscope zoomed all the way in to see the difference. LOL - don't feel bad and Mike gave a great and comprehensible explanation for what happened. That is what comes from an extensive study of errors! I always feel lucky when he stops by and comments on a coin!
