I know it is not an outstanding cud, but it is fairly dramatic and well formed. I picked it for a quarter out of a bargain box, which is about right for your average 1959 D nickel. It'll make a fun addition to all my other errors. I especially like the peaks in the die break.
Would someone mind explaining how this happens to me? I'm looking in to adding some error coins, just to show others (non-coin collectors) what can happen at the mint, and that they (surprisingly) make mistakes too!
The reverse area corresponding to the cud looks strange. Can you please post a good photo of the edge in the area of the obverse cud?
That specific area of the obverse die fell out, (we call this a die break, and if it is connected to the rim, a CUD) thus creating a cavity in the die. Since whatever image is either recessed (concave) or in relief (positive image) on the die becomes the opposite on a coin, the cavity where that part of the die was becomes raised on a coin. Hope this helps, I'm not the best at explaining errors.
Sorry, put up the camera, but the edge has a beveled look as there was nothing to push the blank into the reverse die resulting in the weakness and incomplete strike on US UN.
That is what looks odd to me. The planchet should have had a protorim but your coin has a bevel where the protorim should be. The reverse area corresponding to the cud should have a weak strike, not missing metal.
I think that is because the metal flowed into the void created by the die break so the reverse was not fully formed. Chris
Matt (LostDutchman) just posted this link on another thread....... http://www.cointalk.com/t216663/ Chris
Nice pick-up for two bits. I have a 1/2 full set of obv. cuds in a Whitman. My '59 is much smaller, though.
