Do not bid on this Lincoln cent as it is altered. It is actually too perfect, which is what drew my attention for a closer inspection. This coin would have to have been struck, then get ejected, then wind up back in the striking chamber, and then struck with a previously struck Lincoln cent on both dies Highly, highly, highly unlikely. Definitely a vise job. Almost at $100, closes Monday. Don't be fooled.
@JCro57 Incused and backwards lettering, numerals and imaged is definitely damage. Sadly these sellers sometimes actually think they have a true Mint Error. I have seen so many over the years. I sometimes send them a message. Some respond by saying they didn't know and take the coin off but others tell me to mind my own business and that I know nothing and they keep the the coin listed. Ebay sucks. That's why we need to know the difference!
What would it take for this to actually happen as an error in real life? The press would have to strike a cent, that cent sticks to the hammer die, then two previously struck cents would have to be fed into the coining chamber, at the same time, stacked perfectly one on top of the other, and then the press strikes again. Now considering that middle cent probably won't be completely down inside the collar for that strike (no room, there's already another coin below it), what happens when it is hit with three times or more pressure than a normal strike? Think of the partial collar error you're going to have on that piece! It would probably extend out 2 or 3 mm or more. (Strange how the ebay coin doesn't show that.)
- the lettering would be reversed ("backwards") with the stuck die cap leaving the reverse image on each struck planchet. You fail to realize that the image is being struck from the die cap and not the die. You are correct that it shouldn't be incused. Here is a potential explanation, or theoretical possibility. http://www.error-ref.com/brockage-counterbrockage_combination_8_ways/
I haven't failed anything.. The cent in question has been altered after it left the mint. It's good that you are learning. But the reference on that website has nothing to do with the Cent in question.
@Heavymetal Do you have any information on who that seller was? Like a name, an ebay profile name, or business, or anything where I can contact him?