Not really an error but an interesting die crack. Not very common on proof coins so that's pretty interesting.
gxseries: I don't think a die crack, it is incuse not raised, as a die crack would be. Since it is a proof, I would think that it MAY be a strike thru. (Thread, wire, whatever). However, it may also be a scratch. The big question: Was this direct from the proof set holder or bought outside the holder? If you took it out directly, then I hazard a strike thru.
Was removed from the proof holder. Once is a very long time, we remove the proofs from a holder that we have many of from the same date, and sell them seperate. Unfortunately, I didn't spot this untill after it was removed. Would have been better to leave it in, but, it's still in it's peak condition. I'm leaning towards not a scratch, because a scratch remains the extra same thickess across the coin. This looks more like rock hard dry dirt that split into branches from a lack of water. A split in the wood. This looks exactly the same as a clay ornament with kiln produced crack. A bubble was left in the clay and the fire kiln cracked the clay in that spot to release the air.
It's not a die crack, and I don't think it is a strikethrough. I think Vitagen is on the right track. It looks like a lamination in the outer cladding layer.
I don't think it's either. My first impression was that it was a cracked planchet. I believe those are caused by improper alloy mixtures, so they're very similar to laminations, but happen before the strike, not after. I could definitely be wrong, though.
At first thought, it appears to be a Strike Thru of a hair or thread! However, I think Conder has hit on something here and it may in fact be a Lamination separation or peel of the Copper core that is causing the Clad layer to crack. Hopefully, Mike Diamond will see the Thread and post his thoughts on the subject! Frank
When I read the title, the first thing that came to mind was a quarter that is impervious to error, like "water proof matches"- an "error proof quarter". Can't really help on diagnostics, though.
hah, I just noticed that. Funny :goofer: It's odd though, that this type of error would be on a proof. Yes?
You know this can't possibly be an error, afterall the mint takes precautions and thoroughly inspects each proof set to prevent from happening on the proof coins
I know it's hard to believe...but I've got another proof set sitting right here, sealed and fresh from the mint (7 years ago), with an error on the Sacajawea dollar coin. It's missing a fragment of metal on the die. Here's some photos of the proof set. Notice the fragment of metal missing.
