They might be cutting lines of some kind, but they definitely aren't lines from a lathe unless the operator had a death wish. Would you mind giving us a photo of the entire coin? Chris
They definitely look like lathe lines, but I would like to see a full image of the reverse also. Lathe lines show clearly in full coin photos, and you don't need to photograph them at this amount of magnification. You should submit it to Jason at errorvariety.com. He doesn't have this one listed. http://www.errorvariety.com/Lathe-lines/index.html
I've never seen a lathe that could cut straight lines and ellipses. It must have been made in China. Chris
Pics of the 2 sides of the coin. These lathe lines do not appear as prominent as the ones on the 1996 Lincoln, but they are all over the reverse. I did send pics to Jason Cueller. This coin corresponds to the one he has listed as 90PLL001R. I found the 2 thin die-cracks on the reverse as markers after receiving his reply.
Just as I thought! I just finished reading Jason's explanation. Apparently, you don't understand what concentric lines (or concentric circles) are. The OP's coin does not display lathe lines. Chris
Chris, I have no idea what is going on with these photos, but the elliptical lines threw me off at first too, but when I hovered my mouse over the image they disappeared. It's some sort of weird artifact with the image.
Chris, I understand full well what concentric circles are and I'm very familiar with lathe lines on Lincoln cents. This coin is showing lathe lines.
That looks like the one. Nice find! Here's a link if others wish to take a look at Jason's photos. http://www.errorvariety.com/Lathe-lines/90PLL001R.html
Well, I'm still seeing the lines going every which way on the OP's first three photos, and the "mouse over" hasn't changed it for me. Strange! Thanks! Chris
Rick, it would be amazing if this coin is a proof 1990 w/no S. The coin does look better in hand than in the pics. I showed the coin to two local coin enthusiasts and they both agreed it was not a proof, hmmm. So my question is - What are you seeing that I don't ?
heres a easy way to tell, turn the coin side-ways, see if you can catch images in the field of things around it, coin also looks red, not orange like a business strike, looks mirrored too me, heres a link from pcgs of the 1990 no S http://www.pcgs.com/top100/coin9.aspx
Weird artifact from the imaging is correct. No way a lathe could have made all those lines. With better images, I might agree with part of the lines being lathe lines.
And if you want even more proof that it is not a proof (pun intended), just look at the closeup pictures in the first post. Not even close to proof details.