The 2 patterns on the left between the pillars are identical to each other, and to a degree, the pattern repeats to the right of 4 columns, starting at the tird-from-the-left, to the space where Lincoln sits. The chair base has part of the pattern across it. I can't think of anything that would be in a mint worker's hand that would be spaced exactly that far apart x 4.. so I think if was etched into the die maybe?? The pictures are not great.. the contact marks are raised of course, and sorta look like the upper right corner of the memorial building.. but not exactly. There are also 2 "curtains" in the upper right corner between 2 of the right columns. Second picture is the same coin.. a die crack that is a perfect lighting strike to the corner of the memorial building. Does anyone have any ideas about what could make marks like those at the left?
First pic looksl ike a series of die clashes, common in those areas of the coin, have a few myself. Still neat though, might be worth a buck or two. Second pic looks like a die crack, and a pretty nice one at that. Worth a few dollars probably, but not sure. Could you post a better pic? But I am leaning towards a die crack. Are these on the same coin? I could be always be wrong though. Phoenix
If it were die clashes the bust and date of Lincoln would be there. Correct? I could be wrong but it does seem odd that a pair of identical anomalies would occur in 2 different columns. As far as the curtain's, this is also but not rare that it would occur. I am not sure but I speculate that it does need to be sent to a competent numismatic. Nice find Rhubarb
Thanks for the time guys.. The die crack and the anomolies are both on the same coin yes. I am pretty sure that is a die crack.. it's a little jittery, I don't think a scratch would develop into that kind of a marking. Those are the best pictures I could muster, putting the camera into macro mode and shooting through the loop with no flash. I wish I did have a better photo.. anyone with serious photo equipment want to do me a favor? Is this Ken Potter material do you think? (or does anyone have a recommendation?) I'm not really interested in finding out its valuable.. but I'd like to know what possibly made those marks. Yes it is very interesting that the markings are spaced out exactly 1 column apart. like an echo of the same image. They look like half bells a little. Hey here's some memorial trivia.. If you stand inside the memorial building and line up(with your eyeball) either the 2 left center or the 2 right-center columns with each other.. you discover that a straight line does NOT intersect at symmetrical points on the Washington Monument.It is about 18 inches off center. Washington is crooked (I get bored walking around there sometimes haha)
You've got a pair of die clashes on the reverse. The hammer die, or the entire die assembly, was loose, and shifted laterally between clashes. So one member of the pair represents a slightly misaligned die clash.
I agree with Mike! Although the shift is very significant, the two Die Clashes within the Columns on the left are of Lincoln's Bearded Chin. I am not sure what part of the details created the curtain looking die Clashes on the upper portions of the right Columns! Frank
I put it back inside it's hiding place.. I'll get it out tomorrow and look it over with that in mind.. The picture does not quite represent what my eye can see.. so you're working at a disadvantage. I recall when looking at the marks that they are uniform in height all the way over their raised surface.. no features to speak of.. just a raised field. There are 4 repeating marks (you can't so much see the 3rd and 4th).. and the 3rd and 4th do indeed appear to slope downward as compared to the others.. as if the object was rotated on an axis! yes.. very possible! I will try to get some better pictures this is great thanks for the comments!
