Hi, I have a Kennedy half that looks like is might be a die error(not sure of correct term), if in fact it is an error. What do you think?
I think you're going to get quite a few responses that this is PMD (Post Mint Damage.) I search half dollar rolls and see these kinds of marks all the time.
It's PMD. If it was the result of a strikethrough, you wouldn't see metal pushed up along the edge. Chris
Definitely post mint damage. If they were strike throughs the edge where the design meets the depression would just drop in. On these there is a raised ridge at the edge where the metal was displaced and pushed up.
Numismatic Groups an terms Yes, it does look like post mint damage. But, had it been a Strikethrough it would not be classifed as a Die Error - these are Cuds, Clashes, Abradsion, Die Chips, Die Dents, Die Gouges, and Die Cracks. Errors are currently subdivided into three Classes - Planchet, Die, and Strike. Had yours been a Strikethrough, it would be a Strike Error. The currently accepted Groups and definitions are as follows - Type - A major change in design. I don't think I need say more, except that ANY use of the term "type" other than to describe the "Franklin half dollar type versus the Kennedy half dollar type" or a "major U.S. Type set" are wrong. The term "type" does NOT apply to mintmark styles, doubled die classes, etc. Variety - A change that was meant to take place but was not necessarily meant to be noticed. Mintmark styles, date sizes, minor detail changes (re-engraving, etc.), changes in font (1976 dollars), large letters vs. small letters...these are ALL "varieties". The 1979-S proof coins have two "varieties" - 1 and 2. They are NOT "types". Die variety - An anomaly on a die that is repeated throughout the die's life - from the first coin struck to the last coin struck. Included are doubled dies, repunched mintmarks, over mintmarks, repunched dates, and over dates. ALL of these were on the die when it entered service, and were on the die when it was retired. Error - Subdivided into three classes - Planchet, Die, and Strike. Planchet errors are errors that occurred with the planchets before they entered the coining process. Laminations, although very common, fall under this group. Die errors are problems that occur with the die while it is striking coins. Cuds fall into this group, as do major clashes, overpolishing, etc. They are generally repeated ONLY after they occur. Coins struck BEFORE the die error are normal. Striking errors comprise the vast majority of errors, and happen as the result of the strike. The planchet and die could have been completely normal, but because of a problem at the moment the coin was struck you end up with an error. Double struck, saddle struck, broadstruck, etc. So...examples... 1. A CUD is a die error. It's a break in the die that occurred after the die was hung on the press for use. 2. An unplated planchet is a planchet eror. It was not plated when it entered the process. 3. A doubled die is a die variety. The die had doubling when it was created and ALL coins struck by it show the same doubling. 4. An 1858 large letters F.E. cent is a variety. There is a small letters variety as well. 5. A close AM 1992 cent is actually an error. It's a mule. An unintended design coupled with another design. 6. A 1937D three-legged buffalo nickel is a die error. Overpolishing occurred on the die after it started striking coins. 7. The 1942/1 Mercury dimes are actually doubled dies. In order to have an over date, the date would have to have been punched into the die separately from the hubbing process. This is not the case. In fact, ALL 20th century coins with two different dates (unintended) are doubled dies - class 3, design hub doubling, to be exact. 8. A quarter struck on a dime planchet is a striking error. The planchet was normal - just the wrong one. 9. A quarter struck on stock intended for a dime (thinner) is a planchet error. The planchet was flawed before it was struck. ========================================================= I don't like what is currently called "Die Errors" (Cuds, Clashes, Abradsion, Die Chips, Die Dents, Die Gouges, and Die Cracks etc.) grouped in with Errors (Planchet and Strike). I prefer to call them Production-Die Varieties and move them up under Die Varieties as a sub-group. They are specific to a certain Die and repeatable, just like a Die Variety. Whereas, an Error is not - it is only spcecfic to the coin itself and happens once. Also, I don't like the term "Variety" to describe something that is a Mint design change (large letters, small letters, large stars, wide AM, etc.). I use "Variety" only as "Die Variety". This is how my two modifications would changed the current accepted Numismatic groupings and definitions. What is now nice -- you only have to ask two question to sort a coin into its proper main Group. Is it specific to a certain die? Yes, put it in Die Variety Group. No, Ask the next question. Is it a Mint design change (planned or inadvertent)? Yes, put it in the Type Group. No, put it in the Error group. =================================================================== Type - major design element changes: Liberty nickel, Buffalo nickel, Jefferson nickel, Seated Liberty Half Dollar, Capped Bust Dime, Washington Quarter. Sub-Type - design element changes: With arrows, without arrows, with stars, without stars, mound reverse, plains reverse, wheat reverse, memorial reverse. (metal changes also fit into this category, i.e. - silver vs. clad) Minor-Type - minor and inadvertent changes in design not generally intended to be noticed: large date, small date, large mintmark, small mintmark, large letters, small letters, large stars, small stars, wide AM, close AM. ===================================================================== Die Variety - flaws in die manufacture (usually involve doubling): repunched mintmark, over mintmark, inverted mintmark, doubled die, overdate, repunched date. Production-Die Variety -- accidents that take place in the die/press setup, or coinage production: cuds, clashes, abrasions, die dents, die gouges, die cracks, and die chips, etc. ===================================================================== Error - Subdivided into two classes -- Planchet and Strike. Planchet errors are errors that occurred with the planchets before they entered the coining process. Laminations, although very common, fall under this group. Striking errors comprise the vast majority of errors, and happen as the result of the strike. The planchet and die could have been completely normal, but because of a problem at the moment the coin was struck you end up with an error. Double struck, saddle struck, broadstruck, etc. So...examples... 1. A CUD is a production-die variety. It's a break in the die that occurred after the die was hung on the press for use, and is specific to a certain die. 2. An unplated planchet is a planchet eror. It was not plated when it entered the process. 3. A doubled die is a die variety. The die had doubling when it was created and ALL coins struck by it show the same doubling. 4. An 1858 large letters F.E. cent is a minor-type -- Mint design change. There is a small letters variety as well. 5. A close AM 1992 cent is actually a minor-type - inadvertent Mint design change. It's a mule - an unintended design coupled with another design. 6. A 1937D three-legged buffalo nickel is a die variety. Overpolishing occurred on the die after it started striking coins. 7. The 1942/1 Mercury dimes are actually doubled die varieties. In order to have an over date, the date would have to have been punched into the die separately from the hubbing process. This is not the case. In fact, ALL 20th century coins with two different dates (unintended) are doubled dies - class 3, design hub doubling, to be exact. 8. A quarter struck on a dime planchet is a striking error. The planchet was normal - just the wrong one. 9. A quarter struck on stock intended for a dime (thinner) is a planchet error. The planchet was flawed before it was struck. The Danester
