Strike through errors

coop · Expert Member

I found an interesting Cent in my change. A lot of what you find in errors is hard to describe, but after having a couple of others in my collection I found something and I think I have identified it.
(Sorry I tossed it out and don't have the image 8(
I have a couple of more that I will have to dig out and post some images of here. Most of the time you find a damaged coin that wasn't made that way, but I feel this one was struck at the mint through a piece of wire.

smed · Senior Member

I hope you're right Coop, but to me it looks like a scratch -- Look at the way the line seems to veer away from the "I" in "IN".

wavysteps2003 · Expert Member

This is where a high power scope comes in handy. One with a 100x would show the bottom of the grove; if there were srape marks in the bottom of the grove or a build up of bronze at either end or on the sides of the grove, then it would be a scratch. If the bottom of the grove is smooth and concave, with no build ups of bronze, then it is a strike thru. Another indicator would be, if it were deep enough, seeing zinc (scratch) and not seeing zinc (strike thru). Looking at the picture though, I tend to agree with "smed" and his observation on the bending away from the I in IN. If the grove had crossed the I, I would have definetly leaned the other way.

Wavysteps2003

coop · Expert Member

I wondered if Smed and Wavysteps could be right. So I took a look at the IN again the there was evidence that it had missed because it hit the I. So I thought I would experament on another coin. So I used a Box knife with a razor blade in it and pushed down hard. It left the coin with a rough groove and the zinc was showing and there we marks from the tip of the blade that made a pattern along the lower dept of the scratch. It was much larger than the mark on the first coin. So I tried a second time, pressing light this time. No zinc showed through and where the blade touched the rim, it raised the blade upward to not make a mark next to set up rim. So I'm sure that it is just a scratch. (Probably someone will steal this idea and sell them on Ebay) Starting on the inside of the coin and working to the rim has to be the way it was made as the mark started strong and faded on rim. Vise versa and it would have been thin on the center. It always helps to have more than one brain on a subject. Thanks guys.

I also checked a couple of others that I have. The marks on the imprint are rounded not square edged. 1940 the mark is seen on both sides. (next to last image)

This one wrapped around to the reverse even leaving an indentation where the collar was attached. (See lower image)
1941 even has the fingerprints of the finder on it. He said he saw something on the coin and touched it and the wire fell off the coin. Would have been worth more with the wire on it.
So the conclusion I've come to is that scratches leave ( µ ) a squared line to the bottom of the scratch and wire/string/thread because they are round leave a semi-rounded mark on the coin.

Bob P · Site Admin

Sorry guys...I couldn't help but get involved a little with this conversation. I have been collecting strike throughs for years. I have about 30 of them. Some are struck through cloth, individual threads, grease, and I had one that was struck through a staple that I sold for $135.00 last year. The photos below are a few of the interesting ones I have. I am not quite sure what the first one is, as the struck through item is also on the rim. I wouldn't think that would be possible, but I just plain don't know. Any of you have any ideas about that one?? There are no ridges on any of these which would most likely eliminate an after the fact type of anomaly.
I took a closeup of the struck through thread on the 1964 cent so you could see how it looks really close-up. Enjoy...

coop · Expert Member

Bob: That one is unique. I don't think I've ever seen anything like that before. It looks like one long string. It is continous from what I see even over the rim. Probably the collar on the machine squashed in there when it was struck. The reason I selected this subject is for all types of strike throughs could be seen. I've got some unique grease filled die images that I will add as time goes on. Just wanted somewhere to put the information on and be arranged. Errors are not what I collect, but when I see them I add them to my collection as someone else might like to see them. Educational pieces to share. If any one finds the struck thru item on the coin, don't remove it. Leave it in tack. I know it is the first thing you want to do is to remove it cause of all the crap that gets stuck on the coin. I keep seeing green clumps on copper. Looks like grease that has tarnished to green? It looks terrible and I toss the coins into rolls to get rid of the ugly crap. (Gives me the heebee Jeebbies)

JRocco · Veteran Member

Let me jump in too, as I also keep strike thru coins. Here are some images I have handy.
http://forums.collectors.com/include/uploadbox/viewfile.cfm?files=strthru2%2Ejpg http://forums.collectors.com/include/uploadbox/viewfile.cfm?files=strikethru%2Ejpg http://forums.collectors.com/include/uploadbox/viewfile.cfm?files=2000strkthru%2Ejpg

coop · Expert Member

John: on the first two you posted, I'm at a loss to explain what happened. I see the deep lines in the field, but the marks stop at letters? I could see if it were die scratches/gouges in the field but how is that possible? I can't imagine how that could of happened? Is that different mark on the first two images raised or recessed? The last one the string is something till I saw Bob's images today, were the first ones I've seen like that and now yours.... A whole new concept has come to me. I think I've seen them while searching but didn't give a consideration figuring they were just damage. But now.... A whole new idea for searching. Not for value sake, but kind of like all the places you pass by when you want to travel. Now I can stop and appreciate the little things that make us think. Interesting........

coop · Expert Member

Another item that affects the coin in strike is grease filling of the dies. With the grease in an area it would stop the crisp outline of the letters/numbers/detail of the coin. Some affect just area, others affect a larger area.
First I will consider letters & digits: (last two sets of images)

And of course well all have at least one in our possesion...... The questionable coin??

I'm not sure Acid bath as it is not a thin as other dipped into acid coins, but that is the only logical answer to the question. Its not a new discovery by any means, stuff stuff we have to sift out for what we are really looking for, the valuable stuff. Rolling Eyes

Bob P · Site Admin

Coop...The last coin you pictured almost looks like someone dropped an acid of some sort on it. I guess it could be grease, but that is highly unlikely given the texture of the coin. Nice grouping of coins there. Don't let me get all 30 of mine out Laughing

coop · Expert Member

I didn't think acid when I took the image as the coin looks normal thickness and normal weight. Just don't know, its just an ugly Cent. (That how it is marked also on the 2 X 2) I've got several acid dipped coins. They usually don't change the shape on the details like the "Ugly" Cent. Just reduces the thickness and width of the coin. (Got a few of them if any one want to see them) They make Abe look thin in them. LOL Still open for another sulution to that "Ugly" Cent. I thought it may have been found outside for a long time and someone had cleaned it, but it is too smooth for that. I'm not losing any sleep over it.

JRocco · Veteran Member

Hey coop, the first 2 images I put up is a strike thru error. I was told by, I believe Mike Diamond (if my memory serves me right), that the coin was struck thru debris at the mint. The marks are incuse on the coin. Here is a coin (not a Lincoln, but) that shows almost full steps - the hardest design element on this series- yet most of the reverse is destroyed by a struck thru grease strike. This is a real interesting piece.
http://forums.collectors.com/include/uploadbox/viewfile.cfm?files=95pjeffill%2Ejpg

coop · Expert Member

I don't know how they grade a BU strike thru grease coin. Cause it would be a mint state coin, just details missing. I got a doubled die reverse coin that is doubled on the right side of the coin and machine doubled on the left. I guess bad things happen to good coins.