Hi All, Been looking at some of my better grade v nickles, and came across this one in my collection. It looks like a cracked die, at 2 oclock on the reverse, near the rim. Between the M and E in America. What do you think? I notice a softness of some of the stars on the obverse. and one of the corn ears on the wreath looks real weak. Thanks for any feedback
Nice coin! Variety 1, somewhere between VF/EF. Not sure if it's struck thru on the stars and corn or normal wear. That die crack sure looks real! Is there something going on between the last A in AMERICA and the M in UNUM?
Thanks, Yes I noticed that as well. one leg of the M is almost missing. and the U and M of UNUM, appear connected at the top of the letters...
Looking at the area you mention under high magnification. It does appear to be a real fine, raised die crack also
Under high mag. it appears the die crack runs all the way across the top of the letters. ending at the I in AMERICA..
Weak left corn ear is the normal, finding a Liberty nickel with complete left corn is difficult and if you add in fully struck stars your on long journey. They are out there patience and when you find one be willing to pay a strong price for them, excluding proofs obviously.
Can you take a closer picture? I'm wondering if that could be a retained cud! Check out this link: http://www.error-ref.com/anvil-die-retained-cud/
@old49er - Those are much better picture, thanks. But you see what I'm getting at? If that break or die crack goes from rim to rim it "could" be a retained cud. How does it compare to that link I sent you? What are you taking the pictures with, a cell phone? Wish you could get closer, something like these pictures:
Thanks for the great link. I do see what you mean. I think it is a retained cud. but the crack hasn't progressed all the way around, to the other side of the rim yet.My cams a Nikon Coolpix. I'm just not great with close ups. need more practice...
Not a problem. If the die crack doesn't extend all the way thru (going from rim to rim) then it's not a retained cud. Here's another website (Cud-on-Coins), they list other errors besides cuds. Look thru this site when you get time. If you don't see a coin listed/posted that looks like yours, it may be a new version. Contact the guys on the site and send them a picture. If they determine your coin is a new find, they may list it.....if you give them permission. http://cuds-on-coins.com/liberty-nickel-retained-cuds-1883-1913-2/ In the meantime, others here may chime in and provide you with much more information then I can.
Thanks again, great help. Its not listed on these sites. But, a closer look this morn., Reveals the die crack starts at the E in STATES. And the crack does meet the other rim. Really fine and raised, it is there. I think this may be a new discovery. I may submit it to cudsoncoins.com... Here's a couple more pics
I'm seeing an interesting anomaly above the M, where the crack runs radially into the rim. There appears to be field displacement, which - in the absence of "the other end" where we could assume a retained cud existed - would indicate the die surface is literally "bent" at that point. It actually looks to have finned a bit above the collar where the rim gutter is depressed. Extensive cracking of this nature on V Nickels is so common that pristine examples - especially fully-struck ones - ought to be considered conditional rarities.
Thanks for the insight. I agree. I looked around the bay, and almost every coin is cracked die or weak strike...I never realized.