Browsing the bay' looking at BU Lincolns, I came across this one. It's listed as BU, however I am no error expert, and I have no idea if what is going on with Abe's face happened during the minting process or post mint. I like the color, it seems like it is a good strike. I'd like it for my type set, despite the "scarface" I think it adds character. What do you think it is on his face? These are the sellers pics, not mine.
Looks like a internal die break to me and runs through the " Y " of LIBERTY, through the field and to the rim too .
I would try to find a well struck example of this date for a type set. In 1916 the mint used a new hub with the best detail, I believe, for the entire series. This same hub was used until 1968 by which time it had spread out and lost almost all of its fine detail. The hits on Lincoln's face and possible lamination, plus late die state would make me shy away from this coin. I'd try to find one with needle sharp lettering and beard detail on the obverse, and the same on the reverse plus sharp wheat ears.
I still think its an " internal die break " . I put a circle around the center of the break . Now, look at all the small die cracks coming off of the main breaking area ... Just my 2 cents ....
Looks to me like lamination striations more than cracks. Where u circled looks like the lamination. Peeled up and folded back onto the coin to the south
Die break has the same effect and the die cracks is why I say what I say . This break has also, caused a die crack the length of the coin ( 2 to 8 o'clock ) ..
If it was a lamination error, then wouldn't his beard still be there ? From what I see, theres no beard in the area of question ..
I liked on a couple of the lamination posts but I would tend to agree with Rick as many die breaks are also associated with die cracks, which are present here. Not always of course, but in this case yes. The die breaks on the Homestead quarters, especially at the roof but not in the corn stalks, are almost always preceeded by a die crack or pre die crack depression but you often will not see a die crack with a filled letter or numeral (die break/ die chip).
I have not found one that nice but they appear quite regularly on the newer dimes at the face, usually near the eyebrow, lips and chin. Nice coin Rick.
I think it was there until it folded over. Exposing raw metal under the lamination and where it folded is also covering design details.. not trying to argue as i am still learning. But wouldn't a die break result in a raised area there?
Almost looks like you could fold it right back into place. And the "crack" to the SE looks a bit blistered open which would suggest lamination crack rather than a die crack.
Classic lamination, no doubt about it. There's also another small one at 3:00 on the obverse near and on the rim.
The hit on the lapel worries me a bit - it looks a little strong for something a TPG would attribute to Mint handling even though the coin obviously hasn't circulated. There was a new Master in 1916, IIRC, and this coin shows the sharper detail one would expect for the year, especially noting it's a pretty old die pair. The obverse is ghosting onto the reverse, and the area between the bowtie and date is smudging from use. I'm seeing a peeled piece from a much larger lamination and technical details around MS62-63.