1911 D Barber Dime double die or overstrike mint mark?

Is there a known variety of Barber 1911-D dime with an overstrike or double die on the mintmark? We picked up a coin this weekend that seems to have a raised area to the left of the mint mark that looks like it may be something overstruck, or maybe a doubling of the mint mark.

Thanks,
Mike

 

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My first thought is an RPM (repunched mint mark).
The mint mark was hand punched into the die in those days.

 

There's not one listed in Cherrypickers or in Flynn for 1911-D. Someone here with the Lawrence guide could check that reference. Of course even if not listed it could be one. I assume it is not just mechanical doubling?

 

Mike:
Cherrypickers, Lawrence & Flynn do not list a RPM for the 11 D.
However, that does not mean that it does not exist.
There are MANY unlisted RPM's, PRD's, misplaced dates, etc for the series.
For example, there are a number of RPM's for the 1916 D quarter, and I just listed another 5 or so for the BCCS in an article.
Hopefully you will be able to post a picture.

 

I will do my best to post a picture that captures the rather faint and tiny mark we are talking about. If not, any other suggestions on how to get this validated? Bring it to Stacks for their opinion?

By the way, it was my 9 year old son who picked the coin out of a random bargain bin at WESPNEX and spotted the mark. He is so thrilled that he may have made a discovery, and is excited to pursue this to conclusion.

Thanks.

 

Mike:
Stacks? I think not, they are not widely known for their opinions on varieties.
After all, they were the ones who declared the 5th 1913 V-nickel as bogus.
(altho that was a long time ago.)

Rather there are a lot of other venues for getting an opinion, here for instance.

Since you mentioned Stacks, are you in NY?
Long Island perhaps?

 

I'm in Brooklyn, NY. I'm hoping I can post a picture of sufficient granularity, but if not I don't know how else to get an opinion.

 

Mike:
Do you ever get out on Long Island?
There is a coin show in Melville, RT.110 every second & fourth Sunday.
I'm there from about 8 AM to around 11 to 11:30AM

 

And assuming the coin they saw in 1962 is actually the same coin that was brought to the ANA show and "rediscovered".

But I agree Stack's is probably not the right place. They are great co dealers, but they are not specialists in varieties (Most dealers aren't) and that is what you need.

 

Here is a .pdf with the best scan of the reverse I could manage. You can see the faint line to the left of the 'D'. Sam asked me to point out that the bottom of the N is distorted as well.

 

Mike:
Good picture.
First, yes, I can see what you are talking about.
2) It COULD be an RPM, if so it is very dramatic and would have added value.
3) However, here it come, it could alos be a scratch.

Is it raised or indented?

 

It is raised... now, I have a very excited 9 year old on my hands, so can you tell me if, by some chance, this is an RPM, what the value might be?

 

Assuming that it is in fact an RPM, there would be no real way to say how much it is worth, unless you sold it. There has to be a price history on a coin for there to be a price reference. Alternatively you could look at equivalent 'dramatic' RPM's in the Barber series and get a general sense of what to expect. Keep in mind Barber varieties are not collected by everybody, thus you're looking at a somewhat restricted market.

 

Mike:
It is fun & exciting to discover a new variety.
I know that from personal experience, however, neither you nor I will get rich from them.
Take one example: The Barber half dollar, 1909 S with an inverted mintmark, that was the (about) tenth one (inverted mintmark) ever discovered.
All that it did was get my name into Coin World, nothing else.
It is even listed in Cherrypickers Guide, and those creaps didn't even give me credit.

So, do go out & buy a new car, yet.

 

LOL Frank! I'll take fame over wealth in this case... Let's assume this is a new variety of Barber 1911-D RPM, how do I get that validated. More importantly, how to I get Sammy's name in Coin World as the discoverer!!!

 

Actually, Doug, you have to contact Eric Von Klinger first.
If they/he doesn't give you permission to send the coin they return it without looking at it.

just send him an e-mail.

Or, if you want, I can submit it with an article, noting your son's name, to the Barber Coin Collectors' society.

Either way, still an interesting coin.

 

Frank, thanks. I am in contact with Eric, will be sending the mysterious coin to him for further examination, and will report back the results.

 

Update on 1911-D "RPM"

All:
Thanks so much for directing us to Coin World. If you look at page 106 of the July 21st issue of CoinWorld you will read the story of how the coin was found, and what the experts say about it!

And, needless to say, my son Sam is thrilled silly having a write up in the magazine, and is now even more fanatically dedicated to his coin collection.

Thanks again,
Mike