Insider Posts: 3,184 ✭✭✭✭✭ November 10, 2017 11:26AM in U.S. Coin Forum There are many coins with "Mint-made" dots. I believe that in many cases they were used to mark the dies. It would be interesting if a researcher can uncover the reason for a few of these instances as I do below. Folks collect these coins; yet many are not listed. I've seen man-made dots on many denominations including Morgan's, Half Dimes, and nickels Dots on Morgan dollars are popular varieties. IMO, in order to qualify as a "man-made" dot (into the die) it has to be uniform and round under magnification. Sorta-round mint chips are not "Dots." This is a chance to bring more of these interesting coins into the light. Here is an interesting variety that was published decades ago. A tiny "dot" was placed on a former "Star" die after the star was removed from the die and used to strike 1922 Grant "no star" coins! I own the "discovery" coin. I call it the "2 Dot 2" variety. When you find one of these commemorative varieties, if you tip it in the light, you will see a partial "shadow depression" of the star!
Interesting, nice find. I think most of the Large cents had the manmade dot for centering the devices. Here is a 1837, You Can clearly see the dot in front of Liberty's ear.
@Insider The Rockwell test is done on Planchets. It is also done on the Die. Could be caused by this test.
Good point as usual. The Rockwell test was not in use for Large Cents, the 1884 & '21 Morgan's, the 1875 Indian, etc, etc. or commemorative coins with a "star" still showing.
