Franks Skull

Mmmm, imitation chocolate....

 

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Usually these are called split cladding, or Clam shell. The copper core does not bond correctly, kind of like a lamination on a copper cent.
These rarely break apart like your dime. It is possible that the area was manipulated but I can't see anything that says it was. You may look to see at the edge if there are tool marks.

 

That is so bizarre, I had no idea coins could split like the clamshell errors.

Update: I sent the pics to my older brother who also collects coins and finally got a response as I was replying to your post. He said there's a slim possibility of being either a RIF (rolling induced fissure) or BIF (bonding induced fissure) [2 more things I've never heard of.. ] but he was leaning towards PMD without the coin in hand to check. So basically I feel pretty inadequate with all these new terms being thrown at me, lol

 

IMO, it looks like it was hit with a concentrated acid (aqua regia perhaps?) and quickly rinsed clean. The reverse appears to have slight acid damage from overspill, but there are also some abrasions there, too.

 

Aqua regia would most definitely dissolve copper, or any other noble metal. However nickel is a base metal and I think it's resistant.

 

I can certainly see why your dad kept it, especially if he found it that way.

 

Good conversation coin, keep it, seal it, and show-n-tell it. Interesting, thank you.

 

I understand where you're coming from, but if it was split, the copper layer wouldn't have all of the tiny peaks and dips. Also the edge picture shoes missing copper in the reeded area. IMO, the surface looks like it was in contact with a strong acid.

 

Maybe someone used a round graver (engraving tool) to scoop away the outer metal layer, leaving the wavy copper surface behind?

 

Here is a Sacagawea dollar that split after strike.
The characteristics are pretty close to the same.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/errors/200...6-7635.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

As in a lamination wouldn't the lamination break apart in an ununiform way just as in a Lincoln cent?

 

A few thoughts

* I would expect more of the features on the dime to be linear due to the bonding/rolling process. You see some of the linear effect on the Sacky split planchet you referenced. If it were a lamination within the copper layer, the surface would definitely have a more linear appearance IMO. (Look at missing lam areas on nickels and cents)
* I would expect for damage/distortion/displaced metal on the edges of the clad layer where the piece detached if it were a split planchet. The metal is ductile and would have to bend before it broke off. It would not snap off and leave an edge that wasn't distorted (raised metal). Also, the details on the copper as well as the rest of the strike (right up to the edge of the clad layer) don't indicate that it was split prior to striking.
* The reeded edge is weak and eroded in the missing area. I can't see that happening on a partial split planchet.
* The reverse also looks like it has some sort of light corrosion or environmental damage. Some of the strong acid may have leaked over the edge and slightly wetted the reverse as the "experiment" was preceding.

No absolute evidence, but IMO, there is more than enough to indicate that it wasn't a partial split planchet or lamination.

 

I work in a lab with full unsupervised access to all kinds of fun and wonderful chemicals like concentrated acids, bases and oxidizers. So naturally I've experimented on pocket change like any self-respecting man-child would. I just assumed this was done by someone else playing the mad scientist. But being the incredibly humble and awesome person that I am I have to admit I have no clue what's possible to happen to a coin during the minting process. So I guess my question is if there is somewhere I can send it to have it checked out just in case without having to pay to get it graded and slabbed in the process? I mean come on, how embarrassing would it be to get a graded slab back that said PMD on it?..

 

I do hear what you are saying @Oldhoopster. I am just not convinced yet that this is a scientific experiment.

You could send this to @Fred Weinberg or at least make contact with him. I would get his opinion before I spent much money on it.
Fred Weinberg & Co. – Dealer in Major Mint Errors & Currency

 

From what I see in the photos, that dime
has been chemically treated on the obv. and
the other surfaces are also damaged/altered.

It is not a genuine error coin, imo.

 

I've been visiting here long enough since before I joined this amazing community to know if Fred says it is so then by God it is so. Thanks to everyone who chimed in, I've actually learned a lot of new things in this thread.

 

I wonder how difficult it would be to attempt to cast the outer layers and then fill with copper inside... The reverse definitely looks spackled to me and I wonder if you would get that effect trying to cast into an impression of a dime somehow or maybe using some silver clay or something...

 

You sure that's a Roosevelt and not a Kennedy?

 

Wow... That was a really low blow and completely awesome. I like you, lol.

 

Too soon?