I have been looking for an early Large Cent (Matron/Coronet Head) and came across a couple of coins that have a strange 'occurrence' on them - a 'line' going around the outer circumference of the coin. One coin has it on the obverse (but no such thing on the reverse), another has it only on the reverse . Two photos are attached, from different coins. I'm at a loss to explain this, but I KNOW you guys and gals will educate me.
Die break? Or, should it be called a die crack? "The closely related die crack error results from a fracture in the die though no piece of the die actually breaks away, at least immediately after the crack forms. Metal can flow up into the crack, forming a raised line on the coin." https://www.coinworld.com/numismati...umismatics-collecting-basics-7294823.all.html Anyway, I think it's not uncommon -- especially on older coins? My 1888 Morgan:
It is a die crack, a die break is where a piece of the die has broken off of the die completely. The cent in the OP is either a N-11 or N-12 (both used the same obv) on N-12 the crack worsened and developed die breaks at Stars 12 and 13. It comes in several die stages which are widely collected. (This illustrates the difference between die cracks and die breaks) Stage A with the crack heavy Here an additional crack from Star 13 to the rim forms The die break forms covering two points of star 13 The three point break And finally the "Harpooned Whale"
It is not uncommon even on newer coins. In fact, it is quite common on all coins. Certain designs tend to have cracks in the same place, based on the way the metal flows in the design. For example, Washington quarters quite often have a break at the bottom of the bust, like this one.
