hey guys, a month ago, I asked some of you about a strangely doubled 1984 P nickel. I thought nothing of it until a few days ago. I recently found a 1985 P nickel with the EXACT same doubling. To make matters even more strange, I was looking through a jar of jeff. nickels and found this kind of doubling AGAIN on another 1984 P nickel. I am puzzled by this because it is not in the books. Every single one of these three coins was doubled VERY THICKLY on the reverse in the words FIVE CENTS and in the M and the last o (the letters on the end) in the word MONTICELLO. The letters are all very thick. What is this?
A picture would go a long ways to help answer this question. But from the sound of it you may have examples of what is known as mechanical doubling. This happens when something slips or moves when the coin is being struck and results in what looks like doubling to the untrained eye. These type of coins are not uncommon and can be found for just about any year and any denomination. A true doubled die happens during the die making process - not when the coin is struck.
is it just a coincidence that all of the mechanically doubled coins I have found are made in philadephia in the mid- 80s? Are these coins somehwhat valeuable or should I just spend them?
Most mechanical doubling are not really valueable. As you have said, you have found a few examples in you change dish. This should give your an idea of how many exist. The mint has produced millions of this type of error. Many dates have this doubling. The error books will usually only take the time to list the rarer of the doublings. Keep a few to show to new collectors. Share your knowledge.
Mechanical doubling, ejection doubling, machine doubling, shelf doubling...all the same thing, I think. I've even heard the term "strike doubling" applied here because the "doubling" occurs during striking. Yes it can appear in the same spot on many coins. My belief is that it's a process or production goof, rather than an actual error. To be a true doubled die the die itself would have to be the reason for doubling.
Check out the following link for information on all the various types of doubling... http://www.coin-gallery.com/cgstanton3.htm
chevy, I noticed you said the lettering was "very thick". This sounds like the result of die deterioration. It is VERY common on nickels from the early and mid eighties.
hi jody i know what you're talking about and I'm pretty sure this isnt die deteriotaion. The "doubling" even spread to parts of the building and the letters are both very fat and very round.
