1875-CC Uncirculated 20 Cent Error!?

Thanks for the link to the lamination error page. I am curious to see what they have to say. I manage a coin shop and this piece, with three others came in the store recently. The one wing is lacking all it's detail due to a very weak strike which is pretty common with this date.

It looks like it could be a strike-through error. I've got an 1875-P double dime with a similar depression on the reverse, with the coin struck through a small piece of wire, or something like that. It's pictured in our book (and the free online version at doubledimes.com). Under the Errors chapter, there's a section on Strike-through errors, and my 1875 is pictured there.

The weakness in the Eagle's wing is typical of the BF-2 die marriage. This is the die marriage that represents almost 3/4 of all known 1875-CCs, and they always come with weakness there, some more than others. The first two die marriages, BF-1 and the recently-discovered BF-5 are always well struck (probably too much so, which buckled the reverse die causing the need for quick replacement). Striking pressure seems to have been lessened significantly after the two reverse die failures, and the plentiful BF-2 was the beneficiary of the weaker strikes.

Welcome to the CCF, Doubledimes!

Years ago, a knowledgeable collector told me that wood chips were sometimes used to scrub the dies and lift grease. This coin brings that to mind. Might have a splinter clogged the die?

That has got to be one of the prettiest 20 cent pieces I've ever laid eyes on. Error or not, a keeper for sure! I wouldn't think twice about asking for research attribution.

Hi, just got the coin back from NGC. It graded a MS62! NGC said it was an error but it was to minor to be mentioned on the label. *** Edited by Staff - Please review the rules that you agreed to when you registered. *** Thanks for all your help!

That came back original color. Good going! It has that splochy look of of a past dip to remove color

Congrats on the no-problem grade!

I'd guess the defect is a lamination which separated from the coin. It would qualify as a mint error but probably wouldn't enhance the value much. I wonder if 20-cent pieces have a tendency towards lamination issues. My 1878 proof coin shows a lamination-type error at 2:00 on the reverse which has not separated. If the peeling metal segment did separate the resulting void might be similar to the affected area of your piece.