I think it's a weak D but it's hard as hockey sticks to see it unless the light hits it right. This is using a large 2x glass to increase the 5x that you see in the pic. Those are the last of a bag of rolls I also got :goofer:
You are going to have to show the whole front and the whole back before I can tell you much of anything. Also, will need to know if the back is rotated relative to the front.
It's a perfect 180 flip over -the back is upside down. I bought what was supposed to be a 10x glass but it turned out to be a 2x. sorry for the lackluster quality of photos, I took about 30 and got these 2.
First off, look here; http://www.lincolncentresource.com/1922Ddievarieties.html Your pics (particularly with my screen) make it difficult for me to determine much. What I can say with near certainty is that you do not have die #1 (no die crack) or die #4 (coat appears separated from the rim). Since the back is not rotated, it is doubtful that it is die #3. i.e., if that is a real 1922-, it is most likely die #2. Then, if you can really see the remnants of a "D", it is not die #2 either. That only leaves counterfeit, grease filled die (or other non-recurring error), or one of us is not seeing straight. If you have any hope that is a 1922-, that it to your local dealer.
If you had a 1922-D cent that had the D missing as a result of a grease filled die (not saying these exist...but hypothetically) would it not count as a "no D" cent? Do true "no D" cents come from specific known dies and even an MS grade 1922-D that didn't come from one of those but lacked the D (again, due to grease filling) would that not be considered a "no D?" This is something that has never occurred to me before...but I am interested in knowing.
"Do true "no D" cents come from specific known dies" - Absolutely yes. They are called die pair #1, #2, #3, and #4. Those are the only 4 pairs of dies recognized as either "no D" or "weak D" "even an MS grade 1922-D that didn't come from one of those but lacked the D (again, due to grease filling) would that not be considered a "no D?" Absolutely not. Each die pair have their own specific characteristics. If the coin does not fit these tests, they are not recognized.
The ONLY reason that a 1922 No-D is considered special is that the Philadelphia (no MM) mint did not produce cents that year. Therefore, a 1922 with no mint mark, which would normally be considered to be a Philadelphia product, is an oddity. There are likely numerous other years in which either a D or S mint mark has been filled in or polished off but they would pass notice because they would be assumed to be from Philadelphia. In My Own Humble Opinion, the No-D 1922 is no more collectable that any other filled-die, or weak struck, or over polished coin.
I know why the 1922 No-D is considered special. What I didn't realize is that there are specific known die characteristics to tell which specific over polished die it came from. Therefore, if another die became filled with grease and the mint mark didn't appear on the coin...it wouldn't be considered a true "No D" coin even if the D wasn't there.
It would really mess things up if it could. Take a 22 d, file off the d. Put some wear on it and viola. Would be impossible to tell some fakes. Nice thought provoking question.
Exactly why the No-D 1922 shouldn't be considered anything special. Any more than other coins exhibiting similar characteristics. Except for the No-S Proof Dimes which were true errors.
More or less what you just described for the No-S Proof Dimes is what happened to die pair #2 for the 1922-. If you are so averse to the 1922's, I will gladly take any you happen to have off your hands.
WOW Nice find! Hello skrilla, Wow, that is a nice find. It must have been pretty exciting when you found it. I suspect you will remember the thrill for some time. Very best regards, collect89
