Well, thank you nickelsearcher, that's what makes controversy and this, could be one of the most controversial coins of all times.
At least we do agree on one thing by your statement it did come from the mint however, I am not convinced that I have such a rarity.
Now if I can get someone to explain how the raised letters in America, (the operative words being raised letters) are readable on the thinnest tapered part of the coin.
The third picture down with the multiple photos, the third one over or the middle pic, the flat part is obverse, and the thin narrowing; tapered part is where America resides. The (A) is clearly visible and raised as one can clearly see in the other photos.
The part I need explained if possible, how is it likely loosing that much copper off the surface that the letters are still readable if it is post damage.
All senses say not possible.
As to your definitive statement "There is no way the coin as shown by the OP left that mint that way ... despite the detailed listing of why it could be." KMA
If that is a fact, then it should stand to reason that same statement would apply toward the following. "Agree?"
Planchets, Broad strike, Brokerage, Capped Die, Struck Through Die Cap, Incomplete Planchet Clips, Lamination errors, Off-Center, Rotated Die, Double Die, Double Strike, Triple Strikes, Die Break, Die Clash, Double Clash, Split Planchet, Bonded Coins, Struck Through, Struck Through Cloth, and Unplated Cents.
Did I leave any out? Hum, Defective Planchet, something to ponder cause I wonder what do they mean by that?
Anyhow by my reasoning and I am sure I am not alone when I say this "IT GOT OUT THE SAME WAY AS ALL THE OTHER ONES LIST ABOVE". DUH, I may be new to the forum but I am not a total IDIOT!
And far as your rudeness goes David, you can KMA, this OP. If your too lazy or tired to give any valuable input, insight, or expertise as to why it is or isn't and how you came to this conclusion then by all means stick to your statement.
"This will be my only reply and involvement with this thread BLAH BLAH!
And how profoundly right you are on your prediction.
Moreover, if you would have gone pro mint, I would have gone negative to convince you otherwise, because I have already been on both sides of the coin. (Sorry please pardon the pun but nothing else)
Either way I would still like to know is it possible to grade this joker and what grade would you give it? Authentication will come later when I find out what mint I need to take it too.
And no Yankee1227, if you believe it is erosion my question is "how?" it is one of the reason why I am here to get a few questions answered in order to determine for myself the origin of this coin and how it came to be. I do not need anyone telling me, I just need all the possibilities why it did or why it didn't, from that I would draw my own conclusion.
I joined this forum because it is one of the most active forums I have been reading over the past weeks. The proof was the fast response I received within minutes after posting.
Anyhow I will take my raggedy @ss elsewhere and all you guys can KMA this OP, and yes there is a seventy percent chance this is a rare piece, I started at zero and I will not slab it until I am ninety percent sure before I run the risk of it being confiscated and destroyed.
FYI, they like to do that from time to time, the mint is funny in that way.
And you, Scotty11, you know dang gum well sending this joker off to be slab they would almost certainly reject it first even with authentication from the mint.
If I thought for just one moment I had to take someone's word as gospel otherwise they get bent or because they're sick-n-tired I would have never posted here.
In conclusion, of course in my ignorant opinion, you jokers steer a lot of people wrong.
And until you hold it in your hand and exam it closely for your self you know nothing pickelsearcher.
And thank you Hermanwilliams, yes that is how it came to be and escaped the mint there had to be a wide verity of factors involved, which one's is what I am trying to figure out.
Thank you for nothing, and farewell.