Explanation For The Circular Motion On The REV Of Nickel...

True Rackster, I figured I only see this on the 60s and younger coins and the damage never looks fresh. It's usually worn down damage so it might have been some machine dealing with coins that has since been obsolete (likely for this reason)

Makes me think of riding a bus in the '40s and '50s. The driver had a change making gizmo attached to his belt. There were metal tubes for each type of coin with a lever at the bottom of each tube which he could press to dispense the coin of whatever denomination he wanted. There was a slot at the top to put the coin in. I am not saying that this is what caused the damage, however.

Here is one which is similar to what I remember:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Con...271972114452

Scroll to the bottom of the page to see other examples.

Blue/Pete/db,

Interesting thoughts. It has me wondering; what is the date range for this kind of damage? It does normally look pretty worn, so damage done early and worn with time. I'll keep an informal tally with the next box; newest with/oldest with.

Someone here must know though. I'm hoping that they see this thread!

I have only found one that is lathe lines that are in the center of the coin. But the lathe lines are raise not incuse as coin damage is:

Note how they are raised on the coin. (incuse on the die)

Another pair of images of lathe lines. (again note they are raised and not incuse on the coin)

One Rick Snow posted on Lathe lines on a Indian Head cent:

Found one in my current box:
Nickel, 1976, Obverse effected

Closest date I've found so far

See, the thing about that dime though, is that it affects the rims and stuff, so it's obviously roller damage. It's not concentrated to the center, and only that.