This Cent has concentric rings that resemble a vinyl phonograph record. All the devices on the coin are above the rings. The rings must have been on the planchet before the minting process. The rings extend from the edge of the coin to between the 9s in the date and between the E and R of LIBERTY.
I finally took the time to find that the Lathe Lines is an accepted variety that I had not heard of before. Thaks for the information.
Not on the planchet, they were on the die blank before it was hubbed. The got in a hurry when they turned the face of the die blank and instead of a flat smooth surface to the cone on the die face it left a distinct spiral groove. When the die was hubbed the fields being the highest portion of the die face, received the least pressure during the hubbing and the lather ridges were not wiped out. Nor withthe remove during subsequent lapping of the die face so they showed up on the struck coins.
Thanks Conder. After Furryfrog said lathe lines it made sense. I looked up lathe lines and found the variety. I had not seen this one before. I find it very interesting. Thanks to both of you for the information.
Randy - these pics from the US Mint website might help you understand what happens and when during the making of coin dies. This next one is a closeup of a working hub and struck die.
Here's the pic from Error-Ref. Look familiar? http://www.error-ref.com/lathe_rings_on_a_1996-d_lincoln_cent/
It's nice to have a "new member" find something real and then go and investigate what the members have told them. You have a good eye and attitude. Welcome to Coin Talk.
Randy, thanks for sharing this, and thanks to all of you who explained it. I learn something new all the time on CT.
Cool find. Not really worth much, but it is a genuine anomaly in the minting process. And, it helps us learn a bit more about how the coins are made. Welcome to CoinTalk!
Great information and comments, I wasn't aware of lathe lines in the minting process either. I need to do some more research too. Thank you all.
