Hello, I found a 2001 New York State Quarter (D) that actually has a fingerprint cast into the metal on the back of the coin. I was wondering if there is a common value, or if this is an oddity? Thanks - Mike
Hi Mike, Coins are not cast, the are punched out of a rolled thin sheet of metal, and then struck with dies to form the images on the front and back. The fingerprint you see was put there after it was minted. It is not into the metal, and could be removed.
Other possibilities would include lint or some form of obstruction on the die during the striking process.
