I'm guessing its grease filled die, by it I'm not sure because the whole A is not faded. Just the hole in the A is missing. Not 100% sure on what it could be. Oh and I'm sure it's nothing but what is the cause of the T in LIBERTY to make its top sides dissapear?
Sometimes. They are often caused by the flow of the metal tearing the die apart. Metal flows mostly from center to edge, and certain parts of the die are more vulnerable to cracks and chips than others, due to the design. The inside of the A could be such a part. It's also just as random a spot on the die as any other. The "BIE" Lincoln cent errors also demonstrate this, with the raised part of the die between the B and E being broken off due to metal flow.
Small raise pieces of metal on a dievcan chipvaway with lots of use. Especially those striking copper-nickel planchets.
Yes, and on numbers, too! For example, the post that forms the lower loop of the "8" broke away on this Lincoln cent allowing coin metal to flow into the void. "Lincoln's Purse" Chris
Oh ok.. thanks. I understand a little more about die chips now. Are they ALL common? Or are some rare because of the place? Like "Lincoln's purse"
some die chips are special enough to be their own varieties. I found a "1956 double bar 5" a couple weeks ago, which carries little premium, but still cool and not nessecarily common.
They're all common, but there is no telling where die fatigue will enable them to form. Some people like to give their "oddities" names to help sell them. Me? I named this "Lincoln's Purse" only because it seemed appropriate, but I intend to keep the coin. Chris