what is this

walkingdude · Veteran Member

okay what am I looking at Laughing

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coppercoins · Site Admin

That's a very good question - one I cannot for sure give an accurate answer. I can tell you that it's common and shows on many different year's designs.

For those who didn't pick it out in the images, it is a sunken trough like line on the outer edges of all of the devices in the images, and my assumption is that it would show on at least most of the other devices as well.

My guess is that it has something to do with die wear - but exactly how, I cannot tell. The only thing I can tell you for sure is that it's not rare, and it's not a die variety.

Dick · Expert Member

Mike, and CD, I have seen the same thing on different denomination coins, and my impression is that it is the vertical side of the device "shape", or lettering, as the case may be. I have taken a pretty close look, both with the coin(s) flat, and on a slightly tilted ramp, and it looks to be quite even, vertical wall shape. Anyone's guess, tho. I'm no expert. Dick

wavysteps2003 · Expert Member

Starting in the mid 1930's and continued into the 1940's, it was the Mint's practice to create a furrow around the bust of Lincoln. This was accomplished by re-engraving some working hubs and the object was to increase the age of die. This is similar in appearance, however, my gut feeling is that it is not a continuation of that practice.

This very well may be due to die age, but like Chuck, this is just a guess. One thing that I can say is that it looks to be strike related for the grooves have perpendicular scratches. If it were re-engraving, the scratches in the grooves would be horizontal.

WAVYSTEPS2003 aka BJ Neff

Dick · Expert Member

Gentlemen, I have seen the "furrow" on different ttypes of coinage, (Not all). On some, it is very noticable, on others, barely, if at all. I didn 't know why it was there, but then there is a whole lot more I don't know yet, but Post, by post, and thread by thread, topic, by topic, I am accumulating a lot of knowledge about something We have had in hand, (or mouth, perhaps), all our lives! Too bad I had to start learning so late! Thanks, anyway. Dick

Dick · Expert Member

BJ, I have seen a lot of this "appearance" on other denominations. In some cases, it was very pronounced, others, almost excessive. Could this be behind the terminology, Deep Cameo, and "ultra-deep Cameo"? Dick

coppercoins · Site Admin

Altering my previous post somewhat to state I believe this anomaly has something to do with pressure of strike. I have seen a number of cases where this depression exists on the outer edge of devices on zinc cents, and after having paid closer attention to a few rolls worth of zinc cents last night, I have to say I believe this is the mild form of where the copper plating splits open at the outer edges of the letters - and that is caused by pressure.

Dick · Expert Member

CD, In accordance with what you said, re the zinc cents, I concur. The point I am making is the same indications, on OTHER coinage. They seem to show the same, or even more exagerated sides, particularily, on the main device, but to a lessor degree on the others as well. Maybe it is just an impression I get.
On the zinc junk we use now days, I have seen all kinds of things. like the letters in the Motto, "pulled apart" from the rim area, same to a lessor degree on the date, and MM. These at times seem to have been "pushed into place". via the "MN Twist" effect. In some cases there have been seen trails, but I don't think is of the same cause. Dick

walkingdude · Veteran Member

I kind of figured like Chuck said either the plating slipped or maybe the die did.