Interesting Merc

Hey Guys,

I just found this Mercury Dime, it's a 1939. I've dealt with a lot of dimes, but this is the first one that I've seen like this.

When I first saw it I just figured that someone smashed this little thing, but I just wanted to ask you guys. It seems that if someone smashed it, the other side would be in not so great condition, but the opp. side doesn't show any other marks.

Probably someone just messing around, but I thought I'd ask you guys before I $#%@-can the thing.:hammer:

 

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I can't be certain from the pics but it almost looks as if the metal has been punched, but its so even and of various size

 

Thats what I was looking at, it's very even. The reason why it's different sizes is b/c the elevation of the coin, if that makes any sense.

The middle of the coin, and the rims are the highest points on the coin, and the areas of where the punch is "little" that is where the area is depressed.

 

That's weird. they almost remind me of the chopmarks you see on Trade Dollars.

 

that's what I thought, do you have any idea what it may be from, I've been wracking my brain

 

Weird how the reverse is messed up as if in an acid bath but not the obverse. What is strange is the consistant diamond shapped markes on one side only. Reminds me of the marks made by the roll at a USG plant where they make tile. The roll has systamatic marks that run over tile to get the effect seen on tiles with puncure layouts. Sure would like to know the history of that coin.

 

I have no idea, one thought I had, is that if the mint makes a defective batch of coins, they destroy them, I saw that they bent them and stuff. I mean, they might of started out punching them like this coin, butthe only problem with that theory, it that only one side of this coin is like that.

 

I don't see a need to dispose of this coin. It can have a nice place in a one-sided Whitman folder. No one will know unless they remove it.

 

looks like it was put into a vice

 

I was thinking of a vice also my shop vice has that pattern.

 

Ahhh. So that could be it. However, why only on one side? Why would someone put a dime in a vice? How did the reverse get so worn looking? Where did you find it? All this just makes it a more interesting coin.
I think it's time for the Mercury Dime Police to step in.

 

I suppose that they could have put a pad of some sort against the obverse to protect it, but you'd think the obverse would show some damage.

 

Looks like teeth marks from a wood file.