Ok folks a non coin friend of mine stopped by tonight boasting that he had this 1963 Silver penny worth $3,000. I checked it out, and didn't want to bust his bubble, but I couldn't just let him go out and have anybody make a fool of him. That's MY job! Lol I showed him where the plating was wearing of letting copper show through. Then I looked closer. I rubbed my eyes, and looked again. I'll be damned if it didn't look like an upside down or backward 2, where the S was supposed to be in TRUST, in the motto. Do t think it could be a 5, and I don't see any scrapes or funny business anywhere around the 2. If it was a manipulated 2, that was put there at the mint, that would have to be in the die right? Wow this one has me bent! Lol I checked Wexlers, Lincoln Cent Resource, Copper Coins and I got nuttin. Hell I didn't even know what to call it when I was looking it up, so I just checked any 1963 penny....lol. WTH? Ok, have at it. Let me know if you want me to try to get any clearer pics. Don't be shy! Will check any and all suggestions. Im not drunk, I swear! Ok my friends. Will be on the edge of my seat, awaiting your replies. Thanks,,, Foo
I clearly see what you're referring to. The problem is, I have no clue about an explanation, so I'll be watching this thread. I will say, the plating doesn't help value
Looks like an upside down 2 but it is not.. It's definitely a distorted S probably from a worn die or a hit. There is no reason at all for the Mint to replace the letter S with a number 2. If that were the case many more would if been struck and found over the years especially from 1963. Sorry if I burst your bubble And no more need for new pictures. Those are sufficient.
It just looks like it took a hit to me, the top of the T looks like it has been hit as well. The plating probably hid the scrape making it blend in.
Remember, the die making process starts with a master hub that the is used to make master dies, which is used to make working hubs, which makes working dies. The Master hub has all of the designs, mottos, etc and lasts for years. There is no part of the process where a random letter can be replaced. If this was a large cent from the 1790s then you could say that the letters were punched individually into dies, but not Lincoln cents So it's PMD
Why didn't he just say it looks like a "5" (five) instead of a backwards upside down 2 ? And how did he determine it was worth $3,000 ? lol We know it's an "S" We also know looking at your picture that the thickness of the top of the last "T" is also very thin and likely suffered the same thing as the S. The top of the The first "T" also is suffering some. Unfortunately the "U" won't show the same anomaly as the letters just get shorter. But even the top of the "R" is thinned and truncated. It's nearly a "K". It just so happens the "S" should be curved and becomes the most visible identifier of a die problem. So this is a case where the answer is right there. It's just convenient to ignore as the "S" is the most visually obvious problem but all the letters in TRUST are suffering the same problem. I'd take a guess and say this was minted from one of the last made Working Dies for that year. Have you seen the cents where the IGWT looks like it's going to spill over the edge ?
Lol yea. I was just so surprised that any collision could have that S looking like a perfect 2. Those lines are so perfect. Bubble? I got no bubble any more. Hehehe it's another great experience in Coin Hunting. Believe it or not I FINALLY found a DD AND an RPM. (I see you shaking tour head back there paddyman98) It's true baby! I'll upload pics in a new thread. Thanks Gentlemen
I think this defect could have been caused by the die striking the edge of the collar, which would cause wear and distortion on the die itself.
I hope you accept the explanations provided by these folks Foo. There are some wild PMD anomalies out there. Here is one for you from my "finds".
Yes, thank you Ms Lynn. Believe me, when I was here more often, I used to be the one that would try to explain to knuckleheads that they really need to rethink acting like idiots. That these fine ladies and gentlemen knew exactly what they were talking about. There are some of the smartest people on the web right here. It's kind of like a cross between Einstein and an Encyclopedia. Lol I'm just here to learn, and try to hang on and not get left in their dust! Have a great day Ms Lynn. And thank you for sharing your pic. Thanks again to all,,,,,,, Sincerely,,,,, Foo
Boy, there would be a serious bidding war on Etsy for this coin. LOL I'm also in the DDD and the plating covering any damage up.
Yea, can you imagine how many people , with no scruples, would try to put some kind of spin on this just to try to sell it,and take advantage of some poor sou!?! Infuriates me.