what would you call this????????

ldarrellc · Senior Member

I am thinking burst bubble. what does the experts think?

eagames · Expert Member

I think you're right.

It starts as a bubble or tear in the plating then corrosion gets in it and bursts it like that.

These zinc cents just don't last like the old copper ones Crying or Very sad

That cent is the small date version.

ldarrellc · Senior Member

thought so But I was ready to call it the mint mark that got out of control Rolling Eyes

Dick · Expert Member

Darrel, I'll lay you, 3:2 that there is at least one die crack on the rev. It will be at K4, k8, k10, or k2. Could be all four locations. Yes it is the small ZINC date, 2.5 gms. The chemical reaction causes them to self-destruct. Corrosion. I got a million of them! Couple dozen, anyway.
Dick

coop · Expert Member

The sad part is that the air makes the zinc disappear more as time goes on. It only gets worse.

I was going to clean off some of the dirt, but was afraid the mintmark would have fallen into the abyss.

murphy · Senior Member

That's what I call a BLISTER.

coop · Expert Member

Well it is actually a sinker. The foil left for the mintmark is just barely holding on. The whole area of the mintmark is way below the field.

creilly · Veteran Member

Here is one I found just like yours. On mine the mint mark moves if you touch it.

Dick · Expert Member

Coop, I see several 1984-P, D, showing up, and I haven't been able to determine where the indications are to qualify it as a variety. I may have to use more magnification,to see it. Maybe I don't recognize what I am looking for????!!! I have stashed all of mine to check later.
Dick

coop · Expert Member

Dick: These are just the way the coins look after the strike seperates the plating, leaving the zinc to be exposed and start deterating. The seperation of the plating could also happen in circulation. So in time, all the zinc would slowly disappear leaving a shell of copper plating. Kind of like a hersheys kiss wrapper. But the shell usually starts falling apart before this happens. Not a collectable, just an educational aid to show others. Put them back to work for the job they were created.

Dick · Expert Member

Coop, I think I mis-led you. I was referring to the date, itself, rather than the MM, and its "self-destruction" I am aware of the "why" of that. It may be that due to my MD, (Macular Deterioration), that I can't see the difference mentioned in the bottom parts of the "8", and "4". I can't "pin-point" to a small area. That is why I use so much magnification. I am able to "see" so much more detail.
Dick

coop · Expert Member

Dick: Ed has found some doubled dies for the 1984 Cents. Keep looking as they are there. The split in the Eastern part of the 4 is a PUP. Set these aside for closer inspection. You may have one if you find this split on the center bar. Check out the new listings of DDO for this year and you might be surprised on what has been found.

Dick · Expert Member

Coop, I'll try that, and with a grain.....No, with a lot of magnification. my current setup doesn't give me the view I have had in the past. More changes in the offing!
Dick