OK.. So after a day of thinking I have found a prize and then finding out.. NOT.. Well I just went and opened a OBW roll of 1961D to look for errors.. I found 2 Of these RPM D horizontal D.. And a BUNCH of other RPM. each a bit different.. If you look at the one D/D you will see the "1" in 61 has a odd crooked one??? Also today found a 1980D over S.. It looks like Cherry Pickers has pulled this listing but still a cool find.. These 1961 are GEM right from the OBW roll.. Scanner looks dull but they are shinny... 1200 DPI scan.
When you learn how it was done it's not hard to imagine When you learn how it was done it's not hard to imagine really. The die is first a finished negative image of the coin slightly convex and over all slightly larger than a cent. So imagine putting a steel punch (the "D") in the exact spot below the date where it is suposed to be and needing to strike very hard at the same time rocking it (because the die is rounded) to get a full inpresion of the "D" in this space of a few millimeters. All this as encuse strikings and finished devices. In other words the mint tech is viewing this not only in reverse but as counter sunk impressions. He (and we do know who he was during this time) probably knew he misplaced the "D" and just corrected it and let the die go into servce. The more we learn the more we know that unless a major die variety the mint most likley knew full well the die was hubbed or punched incorrectly and let the die go into service regardless. This is even more evidence that these are die varieties and not errors - the mint tries to avoid errors but it's not so strick with many doubled dies and RPM's, at least not until the late 1980's. I think it would require great skill to be able to fully strike up a "D" (or "S") in extremly hard die steel, within that tiny space, in relief, and negative to boot - great skill and experience indeed.
I found a guy with OBW Rolls.. Bought 2 Rolls.. '61D & '62 .. The '61D had 2 of these D/D and if CopperCoins.com is right.. about 20 other RPM's of one kind or another.. Still going through them now... The '62 Roll was nice.. But stored bad.. from another Lot.. Different Bank wrap.. They were in the OBW.. I am SURE of it.. But they were very dingy..Still untouched but ...?? Dusty ??? I guess I would call it.. I won them on Ebay for about 2 bucks each.. He sent me a price list for more if I want.. all OBW. 50's to 80's.. Many Banks.. Has some OBW Jefferson's too.. But the Price's are higher then I really want to spend right now..
