Hello, I am brand new to the numismatic world I just started searching coins about a week ago. I found this 1959 D 1c with memorial reverse and at first glance assumed coin wrapper damage. After looking closer at the damage on the obverse I noticed the 1 had been knocked off center and the unusual size of the 9 which has a crack in it. There is also some damage around the D in God and the top of Lincoln's head. On the reverse there is significant damage to E Pluribus Unum and the word America, at the top right of the memorial as well as to the word cent. Can anyone please help me and explain if this happened during the minting process or post mint? Thank you. I can also attempt to provide better pictures if needed.
Nope. That's DEFDAM - Definitely Damaged All of it. Not a mint error of any kind unfortunately. All circulation wear and tear/hits
So the post damage can cause the 1 to be knocked off and the 9 to deform like that? I completely agree that the damage could be post damage I just didn't know how to explain those 2 numbers and couldn't find any examples. Any links you have to help explain this to a newbie would be appreciated
Welcome to Coin Talk. Said frequently: There are a finite ways to produce a coin during the minting process, but there are infinite ways they can be damaged post-mint. As you study the minting process, think about each step and what is happening to the dies, planchets and stamping press. The metals involved and the differences from new dies and overused ones. Think about an average of 1 million coins per die pair and the stamping press running at 12 coins per second. Go to Wexler/www.doubleddie.com and read all the sections on the site, especially “How Dies Are Made”…imo…Spark
Welcome to Coin Talk. I think your assessment of damage from a roll crimping machine may be correct for the obverse damage you show. The rest is a mystery. Full obverse and reverse photo can be quite helpful in assessing abnormalities on any coin.