Well, the L is actually there, it's just very faint and I don't see any other scuff marks or anything that make it look like it was rubbed off Also looks like it's further to the left than than on other 72 D's. There's also something going on with the lip of the coin on that side. And Though I see this fairly regularly, it's seldom so distinct (in my limited experience). I'm posting pics lit from both sides. Thanks for your opinions, and if I'm bugging people by posting too much please let me know. I'm just trying to learn. Thanks All!
Looks like it may have been the result of over-abraded dies. Quite common and generally not worth a premium. Keep up the hunt!
Thanks non_cents! You amaze me with how fast you answer these things. Wasn't going to put this one up but what the heck, since we're on the topic. The 'lip' is jutting out into the L, but doesn't look like it was the result of impact. Can I assume it's an over-abraded die issue as well? By the way, I will keep up the hunt, but I'm afraid I'm going to go blind doing so with my 30/60x LED eyepiece. Any suggestions for a cheap but functional dissecting scope I can look through with both eyes? I have been going to Michigan State University Salvage weekly for a year, but they never seem to have these. Thanks again, for everything. Taylor
Taylor, by "lip"' do you mean the rim of the coin? I believe what you are seeing on the second coin is due to die deterioration. Unfortunately I don't have any info regarding dissecting scopes...have you tried your local craigslist for science microscopes? That might be a good starting point... Always glad to help out, and thanks for the clear pictures!
Yes the rim, sorry. I guess I need to get up to speed on my terms. I have been checking Craig's list, without luck. I was told by a more experienced collector in the area that these things are getting scooped up quickly by medical marijuana growers in Michigan so they can look for bugs or something. If you do ever hear of a decent inexpensive scope that might work for coins, please let me know. Thanks again. Taylor
Noncents gave one possible reason for the the faint L. Another one is a grease filled die. The double rim is likely the result of minor mis-aligned dies.
Actually this is the result of a very worn master hub that had been in use since 1916. Over the years all the hubbings caused the hub to gradually expand (like the end of a cold chisel mushrooming) untill by 1968, after which it was finally replaced, the lettering was virtually touching the rim.
what I would recommend for checking your coins is a 10X jewelers loupe. looking thru a microscope would be time consuming plus hard on the eyes. if you have to use both eyes then that would be different.
Thanks Rascal. I'm just really used to a scope because I did my masters degree in plant pathology (studying fungal infections of vegetables) and I used a dissecting scope a lot. I'm quick with it, and could do multiple coins (obverse or reverse) at the same time. Closing one eye (even though I switch eyes as much as possible) for extended periods of time seems to mess with my depth perception and vision for some time after if I do it fora while. Haven't checked with an optometrist because I don't have health insurance, but I'm guessing that's not a good thing. We seem to have gotten off the topic of damaged coins here, which is my fault, sorry Maybe there should be a 'tools' subject on the forum. Don't want to be to presumptuous though since 1) I'm new here; and 2) I administer a popular blog site (not a coin blog) and have tried to administer a chat forum, so I know how much work it can be. My site gets about 100 spam comments a day that have to be deleted by hand - despite the fact that I use the most highly rated 'spam catcher' plugin on Wordpress. Anyway let me just give HUGE PROPS to whoever is managing and monitoring this forum. Now I'm WAY off topic. Sorry. DB
