I found this dime in circulation; probably 5-10 years ago. I thought it was odd and set it aside. I just came across it today. I just thought it was unusual for a coin to have this much wear already. Perhaps it was a very weak strike to begin with. Perhaps it was someone's "worry coin" that got accidentally spent, though if this is the case, they worried a lot. Enjoy!
I too have seen coins of the 90's era that looked like that. I've always wonder who or what caused that. If it was a half, it would have been from a slot machine but a dime?
I asked the same thing about a 1985 quarter that I found here: http://www.cointalk.com/t40482/ Sadly, only one person replied in the thread and I never got an answer as to what the story was behind the quarter other than that it looks post mint.
The reverse was filed. It's not obvious what went on with the obverse. I'd guess the rims were filed and the tool slipped and got the portrait as well but it's hard to tell from the picture. I don't know why anyone would file these but it might be a step in making something or an attempt at hastening wear on a pocket piece. The rim takes the brunt of circulation forces protecting the coin. With it gone the coin will wear more quickly and looks natural once the wear becomes more extensive.
The way this dime is worn, I would have to guess a high school kid took an orbital sander to it explaining why the reverse is worn so much more than the obverse. An orbital sander has a padded backing under the sandpaper, explaining why the edges are worn so much more than the center of the reverse. This is, of course my observation, and a complete guess. Anyone else?
Harshly cleaned? Maybe the person or persons used something to dip it in, then had to dip it in water to get rid of traces of hte chemical, then had to re-dip it to get rid of the H2o traces, then another chemical, then some more water, and on and on and on until it just got this worn down and they gave up? That or too much exposure to human air.:mouth:
1993 dimes are convex toward the obverse. The entire reverse is pushed toward the front of the coin so that when lying on a table only the rims are touching or even close to touching. The portrait on the obverse is usually higher than the obverse rims and share the wear and tear of circulation. This was reversed in later years.
Well I might as well get my guess in too . It could have been used as a spacer on machinery or as a shim on something therefore the heavy wear, just a thought .
