On all the pics that I have seen with this coin, the one under the two is quite evident. But is there such a thing as a phantom one? What I mean is that under a 16x loupe, it looks like there is a one there, but it does not stand out like in the pics. Could this be a later die state where the mint tried to polish away the one? Thanks.
Kind of sounds like your discribing the 42D/41. On the 42/41 the 1 is really noticable. However, on the 42D/41 the one is almost a ghostly image where ther bottom is mostly all you see. The 4 on teh 42/41 looks as if a double died coin and the 42D/41 has that little stump at the left, bottom of the 4. I do know what you may be referring to though if just a 42/41. Not sure what that could be but I too have seen a ghostly image on some 42's that may or may not have been a weak 1 but I doubt it. I have over 3,000 Merc Dimes and every time someone mentions that, I start relooking at some of mine that do have those odd images. Just wishfull thinking I guess.
Carl, that is exactly what I did. Every now and again, I get this bug in me to look through all my "junk" silver. This time around I found 2 Mercs that have what appears to be a one under the two. The first coin looks to be in Very Good condition. Just above the rounded part of the 2 is the phantom outline of what appears to be a 1. (But just the top part of the 1). The second merc is Good condition on the obverse and an about good on the reverse. But this one actually has the fully body of a 1. Both are 1942. I wish I could take pics but I am looking through a 16x loupe to see what I am looking at. I will try, but no promises.
I to agree with Carl I think most of us have seen that type 41/42 maybe one day it will be list as a ghost 41/42 there is a lot of them out there!
There is a coin dealer in town with a stereo microscope and I will take it to him tomorrow and see what he thinks. I tried really hard to photograph through a magnifing glass but with no luck. I will report back.
Ok, I am more excited than ever for the Central States show to come. The coin dealer who had the stereomicroscope took a personal leave of absence and shut down his shop so I could not verify what I had, but I am more convinced than ever that I now have a 1942/41 D. The coin is AG condition so it is difficult to see everything, but if my eyes don't deceive me, I feel really good about this. This is why I can't wait for the Central States Show so I can show it to some more people and maybe even present it to NGC or PCGS if they are there. The second coin that I thought may be a 42/41 most likely isn't but I want to get that checked too. I'll keep you all posted.
