How would this happen ?

I have no idea about any of this. My curiosity has gotten the best of me. How would a coin look like this? If anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them. Thank you in advance.

 

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i honestly have no clue, but i do know that the coin is a 1974 penny and if im not mistaken the back is a misaligned die strike
i could be wrong

 

I didn't know that. Thank you for that.

 

how'd you find it

 

Welcome to the neighborhood!

First of all, it did not come from the Mint like that, so you should assume that it is post-mint damage (PMD).

It looks to me as though someone used a rotating grinder, possibly a Dremel tool, which caused the circular appearance on both sides. Then, the coin eventually ended up becoming lodged in a clothes dryer which accounts for the "muddled" appearance of the devices as well as the widening of the rim.

What say you @paddyman98 ?

Chris

 

I was turning in some change at a coin star.I have a jar that I just put my change in . It caught my eye so I put it back in my pocket. Who knows how long it was in my change jar.

 

Chris ,
Thank you . That is what I was looking for. Someone to tell me what could had happened to it I couldn't even begin to figure it out .

 

That definitely looks like a Dryer Coin.
Tumbling and heat affected the surface on both sides.
I could of also had PMD and minor issues such as an overpolished reverse die.
Might of been a Floating Roof issue.
The gouge is just old damage.

 

I love that..a dryer coin . I didn't know that was a thing. You guys are awesome !

 

That penny spent a very long time stuck in a clothes dryer.
That is damage and not a mint error.

 

Here is some information
http://www.error-ref.com/dryer-coins/

 

Thank you ! That looks like what happened here . Wow.. very cool.

 

Yep, it's a dryer coin. PMD.

Welcome to CT.

 

Thanks you guys for helping me out. I know nothing about this stuff. It makes sense why I have another penny and the brown coloring came off of it. It lived in a dryer.. this is fantastic.
Thank you for the nice welcomes.

 

You should be aware that there is also PMD caused by "spooning". A coin like this will have an enlarged rim, but the devices will appear normal. @paddyman98 has an image of spooning in action.

Chris

 

Umm....maybe not! What year is it? Do you have photos?

Chris

 

There isn't a time so far that I have clicked this site I have not learned SOMETHING! Thanks folks for your knowledge. sheesh dryer coin I never would have known.

 

But spooning just affects the Edge and rim.. Not the smooshed surfaces.

 

Brown came off.
I am really enjoying learning about this !! Yes the knowledge here is amazing

 

No.. Looks like it was previously plated. The plating is wearing off.
The Brown does not come off.. It's a solid copper planchet!