I've seen thousands of war nickels, but I have never seen this. The area in question is raised on coin. The coin is MS66/67 and I am considering submitting it to NGC, but I would like to know what this is before I send it in.
I don't think so. I think it's struck weak in that area and that is part of the ribbon tie in Jefferson's hair. Nice looking coin.
Die chip....these dies durring the war years slammed out alot of coins...like the buffalos the had a lot of reworking,and laping. Very cool ....find keep us posted
It doesn't seem to line up with any element on the reverse. That position appears to be a part of the field at about 2 o'clock. Could it be a retained dropped element, say, from the "9"?
Thanks for posting a solid struck Jefferson. This makes it easier to understand what I said in my first response.
Sometimes when looking at an error it is not what you see but what you don't see that gives the best clue.
@Lehigh96 It looks like a polished die. Here are 2 from PCGS Coinfacts. The second one isn't a die match for yours, but you get the idea.
Good forensics oldhoopster... thats what is great about the forum....the amount of knowlege,and those who know where to go find the answers! But mostly the team work and willingness to help others enjoy this hobby more. Two thumbs up..
So if you study both coins Im sure it was the reworking the die that removed the area and left that raised medal . Again the mintage was 21,640 000 you know that those dies needed a little work. Also the fact the war years everything was used and then recycled to help the war efforts.
Enlargement of the op's image one can see just like a buffalo nickel the area has been abraded, as I stated in my 1st post....look closely notice the differences in the surfaces....its been filed or sanded. Look to the right of the last 4 see the polish lines?
Thanks everybody, looks like we figured it out. I am going to send this coin to NGC in hopes of an MS67 grade, I will update this thread when I get the coin back.