As a caveat, I will say there's been a few times I thought I found a DD coin, but was quickly made aware I still don't know what I'm doing, LOL! I've had this 82 penny for a while but having been disillusioned so many times, just been sitting in my coin case. Wondering what the experts here think. Does this look like a DD or is it useless doubling... Tried to get good pics but still didn't come out great.
What you are looking at is MD. If you look carefully at the total image of a device, take the A for example, you'll note the if you were to trace the letter where the device meets the field that you'd be looking at a uniform letter. But you'll note that the device looks smeared, due to a slight wobble of the die/hammer becoming loose after striking a bunch of coins causing material to burnish. The trace looks good...but the device looks damaged. Mechanical Damage. Good luck on the hunt!!
It is called Worthless doubling. Here is some great information Wexler's Coins and Die Varieties (doubleddie.com) For future referernce - The proper Numismatis Terminology is Doubled Die. Not Double Die. In case you want to say that instead of DD. Same website with an explanation of a Doubled Die Wexler's Coins and Die Varieties (doubleddie.com)
A clue you should look for is whether the doubling has made the device bigger or smaller. Doubling is as Ole Webster says, it is made bigger. Machine doubling is created by die bounce or vibration and when the die strikes the coin again because of bounce, it tends to shave metal off of the original struck device. You can see on your coin that the ES in STATES has been made smaller by being struck again by die bounce, not larger by the die striking it being doubled.
Why don't you start there? Ask yourself why you're doing this when there's no return for it, no money in it? It's minor strike doubling. Some refer to it as "mechanical" or "machine" doubling. Choose what you will, it's caused by the striking of the planchet, it didn't come off the die. And even if this did come off the die, who cares? That's what you really have to ask. Take a good look at this. Would you pay extra money for it? If not, what do you estimate the chances are one of us or anybody else for that matter would? Too many new to the hobby jump into this insanity with both feet only to find out they end up with nothing for their efforts, even if it is a minor doubled die. If you're at all interested in a return for your efforts, find out what a doubled die is and look for ones people can actually see on the theory that if they can actually see it they'll actually pay money for it. There's my advice, and good luck.
Unfortunately it’s just a spender. Keep if you like to help you identify MD or Mechanical Doubling, in the future. It’s very common. Welcome to CT.
Good eye. I think you had it IDed and now have confirmation from members here, so good job and keep on searching.
The various mints throughout different times, found it easier to keep using worn and breaking dies than taking the time and using workers to produce more dies ( especially during double striking and before the age of computer guided single strike die making). Some day in the short future, I suspect coins will be plastic punchouts with code on them. That way they can trace everyones monetary flow, and of course the plastic punchies will be graded by TPG for putting in plastic holders. Lots of errors and varieties
Actually I think they'll skip that step and go directly to digital currency. They're already trying to perfect it. That way they can control every cent you own and decide whether the will allow you to spend it or not. Following China's lead yippee!!!
