Every now and then there is a die gouge that gets a lot of attention and that particular error becomes a recognized variety, worth a lot, yada, yada.... What is it that makes the difference between worthless and priceless?? Is it eye appeal and how the error can be percieved and imagined as something special.. ie: the Speared Bison, or the Wounded Eagle? Is it just if the public sees it and becomes interested? Is it just publicity of the particular gouge? I'm just curious, I know there are folks who think they are worthless, and I also know a few folks who love them big or small... I'll usually pull them if I see them and put them in a 2x2... Such as the two I found today while going through BU rolls of 1968 S ... I found 2 with this same gouge, yep interesting, but thats about all I can say for them. (assuming my attribution of a gouge is correct and its not just a die crack) I guess I'm just bored on a Saturday afternoon, Enlighten me, what makes the difference between worthless and priceless... Anyway... Good weekend to ya all, DAK
My opinion would be marketing by the coin dealers that advertise in numismatic publications. That's what happened with the 1945 micro S that was heavily advertised back then. The same goes with the BIE and DIE cents in the early 60's or the large date small date 1960 cents. Lou
The first picture looks like damage from a coin rolling machine. Notice how the "grooves" (for lack of a better word) cut through the fields, as well as the raised lettering?
Actually all the marks are "raised" as if there is extra metal and I do have 2 of them from the same roll with the exact same identical marks in the exact same locations so I'm sure it is from the die. However it could just be from aggressive die polishing, but, once die polishing becomes that aggressive isn't it then a gouge or scratch in the die?? I don't know, just thinking out loud.
No, gouges are caused by metal engraving tools not a polishing wheel. I must say though, it is extremely unusual for a polishing mark, or a gouge for that matter, to be visible across a letter in the legends. On either or both sides, yes that's common - but crossing the letter itself is not.
