Hey guys, I have had a penny in my posession for about 15 years now and would like further feedback on it. Years ago (when I was into coins more) I found a 1942 penny with a very strange mint mark. The S was in the normal place but what looked like a J was also next to it. Back then (before high res digital cameras) i looked all around for someone that could verify anything besides the fact that it was not an indention (meaning that it could actually be a misprint?). I eventually sent it in by mail to someone who claimed that he could identify it. When he called me he said that he had never seen it's like before and could not price it. Then he tells me that his friend would buy it for $20 if i wanted to sell it. I, of course, said "no" and got the coin back a few weeks later. I then forgot about it until recently going through my safe. Has anyone ever heard of a misprint like this before? Would a picture help?
It sounds like a possible OMM (Over Mintmark) Variety such as a 1942-S/D or a type of RPM (Re-Punched Mintmark) Variety such as a 1942-S/S but it could be other! It may just be a 1942-S Cent with a Die Gouge cud next to the "S" Mintmark. You might want to go the Copper Coin's WeBsite and search the OMM and RPM Varieties for the Date and Mint. www.coppercoins.com Good luck...Frank
Well, thats one thing I do know. It's no gouge (on the penny anyways, if thats what you meant), it clearly comes out instead of in (like the S). I checked that site out and it isn't like most of those double stamps. This one clearly has an S and something else side by side, ovelapping eachother instead of right on top of eachother. I'll get a picture up asap of it. Thanks! David
A die gouge is actually an indented mark on the die itself that is used to make the coin. A gouge on the die will make a raised mark on the coin when it is minted, just like the mintmark or any other element on the surface of a coin.
David, Yes and no! Everytime that a Die is removed for repairs such as grinding and polishing, there is a chance that the Mint Worker will make a slip and make a gouge into the Die! However, these do not really occur that often and the ones that do, most often are so minor that they go unnoticed. It is possible that what you have, is a new and previously unknown RPM or OMM Variety! If you can take some close-up pictures of the Mintmark and post them here on the forum, we might be able to determine what you have. Otherwise, you should send the coin to Copper Coins or Ken Potter to have them analyze the coin. Frank
It could be a die gouge or a die chip. Such errors are relatively common and there is little demand for them.
I'm looking forward to a picture. My first thought was some kind of dropped letter. Obviously it couldn't be a J, but I would love to see...
penny Sorry, I need to locate a digital camera to take a picture of this coin. As soon as I can borrow one from someone I'll post a pic. As soon as I take the pic I'll send the coin to copper coins. it seems like they have a good idea of whats going on with lincoln cents
wrong date Well, I pulled the penny out and was wrong about the date. None the less... Here are the pictures of the mint mark. Full penny Just the date and MM
Yep, got to second GDJMSP, again. He knows his stuff. I like the coin. It's neat ! Better dab some Hydrogen Peroxide on Abe's shoulder there though. Looks like some nasty green stuff there.
I would normally agree with Doug and say Die Chips but unless I am wrong, a lot more appears to have happened to the Die! The Die must have been breaking up around the Date for the "9" to be so large on the tail along with having a Die Chip attached. Also, the tail of the crossbar of the "4" is almost twice as long as normal. The two distinct pieces East of the Mintmark, may in fact be Die Chips but the curvature of both appears to be the tail sections of a "9" or "5" or even what is left of two tilted "D" Mintmarks that were punched into the Die (especially the Eastern most one). Frank
thanks guys, any more comments would be appreciated. The nine does kinda look a bit stretched to me . Ohh, and the little green thing (that i had never really noticed until I saw it this close up) is fixed. Wonder what it was.. heh. I also just checked another 1954 penny and the nine is not touching the S like it is in this one
Thanks for the pics, very interesting, but I don't have a clue what happened... My first reaction was that someone was practicing adding mint marks. That S is so close to the 9, I wasn't sure it was real.
