I have this 1990 (no mint mark) penny that has small Spider web like cracks. Just wondering if some one could please give me some info on this. Is it a error or did nature do this? What caused it? If it is an error is there any value to it? P.S. I hope the pictures are good enough to see what I'm talking about. I used the camera on my phone
Welcome to the forum AngieEllen! Notice how ( the bottom photo shows well) the cracks seem under the letter "T". This means the problem was the copper planchet before the striking of the coin. it is a lamination error ( of the metal ) and is very common in the small cases such as here. If larger parts were peeling off, maybe it would be worth a premium, but it is not here. The pressure of striking often causes the lamination to separate, and toning and wear makes the edges apparent. I think it is an interesting coin since it does have as you said a "spiderweb" appearance Welcome! Jim
This is the first cent I've seen with plating cracks like that. I don't think it's technically a de-lamination. I don't know the classification for this error though.
i looked at the coin closer I think the crack is on the "T" as well. I took another picture and you can see a line on the letter that connects the cracks on both side of it. Or maybe I'm just hoping there is !!!
I dont know what to say about this issue, but nice photos and thanks for posting this, I learn something new every day lol
It could well be so. If it was on the metal before striking, it would tend to be smaller ( thinner) crack on the top of the letter after the strike due to the pressure. If it was produced after the strike ( post strike damage) somehow, it would generally have been wider on the top of the letter. Maybe there is a specific name for it other than lamination, but that is the best I could match
