Quiz: What does this image show?

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Insider, Jul 28, 2021.

?

What does this micrograph show?

Poll closed Jul 30, 2021.
  1. Worn Die

    11 vote(s)
    52.4%
  2. Glue Residue

    1 vote(s)
    4.8%
  3. Doubled Die

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  4. Post Mint Damage

    1 vote(s)
    4.8%
  5. Acid Etched Surface

    5 vote(s)
    23.8%
  6. corrosion

    3 vote(s)
    14.3%
  1. Insider

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  3. Steven Shaw

    Steven Shaw Well-Known Member

    How about a picture of the coin itself?
     
    midas1 likes this.
  4. Lehigh96

    Lehigh96 Toning Enthusiast

    My first thought was a pitted die which is usually more localized than die wear, but since that wasn't an option, and I don't know if this same effect is seen on other areas, I picked "die wear,"
     
  5. Beefer518

    Beefer518 Well-Known Member

    Let's not start that again with Insider! :D


    Well, what looks like the 'cratered' areas seem to be raised, and my first thought was corrosion on the dies, but not an option. Next thought was etching (acid) on the dies, but again, the options don't specify which surface the acid etching would be on, so to play it safe, I'll go with 'Worn Die'.

    But if the Acid Etched option could apply to acid on the die, I'll go with that.
     
    Insider likes this.
  6. Dave Waterstraat

    Dave Waterstraat Well-Known Member

    A worn die. Erosion due to extended use or possibly that of an improperly hardened die. My avatar is an example - VAM-1C

    Edit to add - The "buffed reverses" subset of VAMs is one I actively collect.
     
  7. Mountain Man

    Mountain Man Supporter! Supporter

  8. expat

    expat Remember you are unique, just like everyone else Supporter

    I voted worn die due to the location. The movement of metal to fill the incuse area of the die is more pronounced than the larger open areas.
     
  9. Omegaraptor

    Omegaraptor Gobrecht/Longacre Enthusiast

    Given the incuse nature of the anomaly I am going with die rust (which definitely isn't too unusual to find on Seated coinage).
     
  10. Morgandude11

    Morgandude11 As long as it's Silver, I'm listening

    Looks like pitting from a worn or gunked up die.
     
  11. RonSanderson

    RonSanderson Supporter! Supporter

    Good comments.

    I can only add the elementary observation that if this damage is on the die, it is on the flat surface only, and the incuse lettering is unaffected.

    I can imagine the flat surface of the die (which strikes the fields) could suffer damage, corrosion, or rust that would not affect the lettering or devices. It could have been set on a shelf and rusted, or dropped onto polishing residue, and so on.

    Several of the previous posts seem very plausible. I eagerly await the reveal.
     
  12. rte

    rte Well-Known Member

    Voted acid etched
    I'll go with
    Post mint damage for $100 Alex. :D
     
  13. ksparrow

    ksparrow Coin Hoarder Supporter

    I'm guessing corrosion, meaning die rust.
     
  14. manny9655

    manny9655 Well-Known Member

    I'm going with acid etched surface. Notice that the anomaly is in and around the letters only (IOW the protected areas of the coin) and NOT in the field below the letters. I think that would rule out a worn die, which would likely exhibit the problem over a wider area. Plus, inside the letters is where the acid used might pool, for one thing, and not rinse off completely, for another. Another giveaway as to pooling of the acid is that the letters seem unaffected. That would also likely rule out a die issue.
     
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