1820 U.S. Cent Error

Discussion in 'Error Coins' started by Southernman189, Dec 29, 2018.

  1. Southernman189

    Southernman189 Well-Known Member

    My 1820 Cent is AG/CULL in my opinion but the odd things is the stars at the bottom and the date showing at the bottom of the stars (inside) I have a magnified picture showing partial date within the stars. Has anyone seen anything like this? Let me know. I have been collecting Errors for about 40 years but never seen this before. if this was done in a garage why wasn't the date flattened? 1820 error cent magnified.jpg
     

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  3. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    Those stars aren't supposed to be there. If you look at a decent example of your coin, you will see that the stars are not incuse and also of a different design. Someone added those stars on your coin after it was minted. How? I'm not sure.
     
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  4. paddyman98

    paddyman98 I'm a professional expert in specializing! Supporter

  5. Southernman189

    Southernman189 Well-Known Member

    You answer is as good as any. Thank you and i am inclined to agree but still confused why the date is still crisp deep in the stars. One of coins many mysteries I guess and why it's such a fun hobby.
     
  6. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    I'll echo what @paddyman98 said. It is interesting.

    I refrained from commenting earlier because I honestly don't know what's going on there.

    If I were to wager a guess, I'd imagine it's a press job done in a vise, during the 19th century, but who knows?

    The stars are incuse, not raised, right?
     
  7. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    It is indeed pretty cool how one can still see the date digits down inside the stars, but not so surprising to me.

    I strongly suspect this is not an error but deliberate post-mint damage done long ago for reasons unknown (probably no reason at all). Likely in a vise, as just mentioned.

    This is one case where I'd say that despite it being PMD, it is at least old PMD from around the time this coin circulated. As such, I would place a (modest) premium on it, merely as a fun curiosity.
     
  8. Southernman189

    Southernman189 Well-Known Member

    right they are incuse but the date below inside are not damaged at all or flattened. It's just odd, thank you for commenting.
     
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  9. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan 48-year collector Moderator

    It is kind of strange that the date numerals inside the stars are not flattened, but maybe the pressure was insufficient?

    Definitely a bizarre and interesting oddity, whatever the case. Worth keeping for that reason alone, I think.
     
  10. Southernman189

    Southernman189 Well-Known Member

    yeah I suspected it to be pretty much worthless but interesting. Much like the "pet dimes" of the 1960's made of cents to fool the phone booths and get a cheap call in. I have a few of those too. interesting history.
     
  11. Oldhoopster

    Oldhoopster Member of the ANA since 1982

    Could there a metal or solder on the coin? The worn areas over the date and around the denticles could be raised due to the fields having extra metal. The incuse stars could have been in place when the metal was poured. That could explain why the details are visible under the stars. Why would somebody do this??? Could be a stretch but something to think about .Maybe 2 coins soldered together?
     
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  12. Southernman189

    Southernman189 Well-Known Member

    weight is with-in limits of a worn coin like this, it's just an odd coin that someone took great pains to confuse us. well done, it worked I am confused!!
     
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