Damaged Coins

Horgad · New Member

I just got through sorting through my small collection of damaged coins. I was able to identify and sort the clips, cuds, rim errors, and plating problems, but I still have a handful of stuff I don't know how to categorize. For all I know they are post mint problems...I am still a noob when it comes to this.

In any case, I am going to post them here one at a time every few days or so. All comments welcomed. Thanks.

Note about myself: I've sorted through 750k pennies last year, but not specifically to look for errors. Rather, I am a lowly copper hoarder. Wink

I call this first one rim ring as the damage rings around both sides just inside the rim. The damage does not look like abrasion , but rather like a thin sheet of copper was extended from the rim and stamped down just inside the rim. Also the date is very poofed out and blurry looking to the point of being unreadable.

http://www.photohosters.com/is.php?i=10440&img=rim_ring_front..jpg

http://www.photohosters.com/is.php?i=10439&img=rim_ring_back.j.jpg

Russellhome · Veteran Member

Horgad:

Welcome to this forum. There are a number of helpful and knowledgable members here who are more than happy to share their insight.

I can't really comment on your coin. I'm no error coin expert. I would suggest larger photos. I can't quite make out what is going on on that coin.

Again -- welcome. I hope you enjoy the forum as much as I do.

Bob P · Site Admin

Horgad,
I suggest the same thing. Larger pics will be better and easier for us to have a good look at. From what I can make out, it looks like your coin suffers from after mint damage. Could have happened a number of ways, but I will not speculate until I can get a close look.

Horgad · New Member

Yeah I was afraid of that. I'll work on getting some better pictures. I just don't have the means right now. I also have a few pennies that show some minor doubling, but I didn't even think of posting them because I knew there was no that they would show up in my pictures.

I know some of you guys are using some pretty cool set-ups to take pictures, but anybody had any success using just a scanner? Mine take pretty good "pictures" of coins just not enough resolution to get the job done. So I am wondering if a more expensive scanner would do the trick.

coop · Expert Member

Welcome to the site Horgad. You might try a higher setting on your scanner. I changed mine from 300 DPI (?) to 600. It takes longer to scan but you get better detail on OBV/REV coins. For varities and small errors a loupe may workbetter, or the best, a microscope. I learned what works best and slowly went that way buying piece by piece. See what results on images you see on the site. Pick what you like, dislike, ask questions and see if any works for you. Some have different ways to achieve their images. But somethings we may all do. So ask when puzzled. Get ideas from all who share and feel at home here. We all are part of a coin family. All are willing to share there skills/knowledge/opinions freely. If you have a perticular question, check the threads first then see if your question is answered. If not, fire away. We like new questions. Smile

Horgad · New Member

I got an account on photobucket so I host more and bigger pictures. I also figured out how to crank up the resolution on my scanner. So here goes again:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg315/horgad/rim_ring_front.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg315/horgad/rim_ring_back.jpg

coop · Expert Member

I think you have it right. Something with a rim ring holder and the removal/caused the damage to happen. The letters look worn like it was carried for some time as they are flattened. Coins of lower value are subject to abuse. Usually you find these in change as they have been cast aside from the abuser as he know what happened to them. Almost looks like glue or an adherant to host the coin in a ring collar on a holder of some type. Just what I think could have caused it. But it is copper. Worth what copper melt would be for them. (If melting is ever allowed)

Horgad · New Member

So the penny was probably used in some piece of jewelry or money clip or something and was damaged by what ever was holding in place. That makes sense. I'll post something new and maybe even more mysterious tonight.

Horgad · New Member

This penny boasts a nice symmetrical curved rim. My first thought was that the rim had been sanded or filed, but the rim does not look diminished. I would think that you would have to sacrifice a noticeable amount of metal to round a rim to this point.

Shown next to a "normal" penny for comparison:

Front:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg315/horgad/rounded_rim_front.jpg

On Edge:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg315/horgad/rounded_rim_edge.jpg

coop · Expert Member

I could not see for sure what you were refering to on the obverse image. But if the plating was punctured in any area the zinc would be exposed on the coin and would erode away. You see this on the mint mark on several of Lincoln Cents. The plating is punctured and leaves the zinc exposed and deteriates. at first the plating may rise, then fall and the coin becomes an empty wrapper in time. Some have excellerated this with acid, but the end result in time will be a copper plated shell.

Interesting as education pieces, but they are damaged and will not be a premium coin unless you find a "newbie" that will buy it. More of a conversation piece.

Horgad · New Member

Bob P · Site Admin

I don't think it's a broadstrike. You can pretty well tell if it's broadstruck if it is larger in diameter than regular cents. Hold it between a few others and see if that's the case. The rims do not give me an indication of a broadstrike either. I would venture a guess and say post mint damage where the rim was scraped or filed. If it happened long ago, and the coins has been circulating, it could wear it down to a smooth rim.

Horgad · New Member

I used my calipers on it and the diameter is identical within reason to a normal penny. So like you said not a broadstrike. I too originally though it must have been filed, but it just feels like there is just as much metal making up the rounded rim as a normal rim. I would expect a smaller rim if one were to file down a penny. I think that I will get my sander out and see if I can make one.

Another question before I bother posting a picture. Is there such a thing as a clip that does not cut perpendicular to the face of a penny? I have a couple that look like a piece of the penny was "shaved" off rather than cut straight through. Hope that makes sense...

Thanks for all your help.

Bob P · Site Admin

Horgad,
There are clips that are straight, curved, and some with multiple clips. As far as being shaved...if any lines or marks run side to side on the clipped portion, chances are it was home made. When the planches are punched out of the stock, the only marks (if any) should be straight up and down.
In addition, most clips that are struck shows what is called the 'Blakesly Effect'
“Blakesley effect” usually occurs in genuine clipped planchet coin and is characterized by a weak rim opposite the clip. It occurs due to the absence of pressure in that area during the upset (or rimming) process.

Horgad · New Member

Curse my stinking pictures... I got found a 1955 with some doubling most visible on the last 5 in the date. I looked in the database and didn't see a match. Not sure you will be able to make out much from this picture, but here goes:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg315/horgad/1955Doubling.jpg

I looks pretty neat under my 30x scope, but I haven't a clue on how to tell the difference between machine doubling and the good stuff.