1968 Washington Quarter Clad Missing

Its flat on the reverse flush with the coin. Had it been punched, it would protrude past the rim or high point of the reverse side. To add to my observation the inner edge of the dent on the obverse side the metal does not appear stretched. The force and the direction if tooled punching that size would have bent the metal or caused protrusions. The coin is not bent or warped and the hole has been spread my force outwards not sagging in the direction of the force. A punch or anything hammered would need atleast the exact same pressure on both sides pressing the coin inwards. The replies prior to this response are incorrect. Sorry!I'm all for speculation but please understand the logic of my opinion. If you think its punched then replicate it identically and post your results.

25 cents... or less. Possibly a well-word drill press result. Not a mint error.

If you're going to use a punch on the coin where are you going to put it? Are you going to hold in in your hand? No. Are you going to put a thick sponge under it? No.

You're going to put it on the hardest, flattest, surface you can find before you whack it. That makes it flat and spread out on the other side.

Instead of arguing with us, tell us exactly how this happens during the minting process.

Please resist the urge to look at a coin and ask yourself "What happened to this coin." This is the completely wrong question if you want to be a collector. You will drive yourself crazy. There are literally millions of ways to damage a coin.

Study the basic minting process a bit, then reprogram your brain to ask instead, "How can this happen during the minting process?" There is a finite amount of ways an error coin can happen. When you eliminate the minting process, you're left with damage no matter how it happened.

@silvios

Not a drill but a drill press. A drill press would not only might remove metal without showing signs of displacement on the coin, it could also generate tremendous pressure. Enough to cause flattening on the reverse. This drill press on Amazon can generate more than 1.5 tons of pressure. https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Mac...p/B0756F2G3L

However, this is just speculation on my part. It is hard to know for certain how this damage was done. I'm just guessing.

I agree that are drills of 1, 2 tons. The fact it is I never see a drill to do an perfect convex hole, like half ball.

and even there will be a PMD, post mint damage so no interest for point of view of collecting. I do not thing the mints has a press drill there. Before for die production they use pantograph and now laser.

PS you has to accept the reality.

Ok guys so the big clue for the sceptics. Tons of foreign debris and objects cause results like this. For example in this case a ball bearing. The metal has been forced outwards and is flush flat the coin weighs correctly suggesting the metal has been displaced from original position. The cut Mark's are result of tooling prying out the foreign object. I know z

Good theory. A ball bearing could have left the impression and displaced the metal. However, I agree with lcutler, it could not have happened in the minting process. Flat spot on the reverse caused by the reverse die? No. Also, if the marks are from removing the ball bearing, what is the likelihood that it occurred in the minting process? Mint employee removes ball bearing? Somehow with giant hole, no one notices while they are inspecting for errors? Doubtful. That said, a ball bearing used with a press machine makes sense. Someone prying it out afterwards makes sense. Lots of people alter coins after they are minted for the fun of it. Keeps people like us guessing!

In finding variety coins, one of the criteria for assessment must be probability. Yes, anything can happen. But what are the most probable scenarios? Part of being a "treasure hunter" is seeking the best possible explanation. We may never know for sure, but we are getting closer.

I'm locking this topic. Send if off to a TPG, when you get it back in a slab with the error noted, use the contact link and I'll reopen it for you to post pictures.