This is one of those technically mind boggling coins. I found this one in a recent purchase of 1961-D coins.
Now, I see its clearly an RPM. The head scratching begins when I look at this example under a 20x power microscope.
The Bottom LEFT side of the "0" in the date under the 'scope almost looks squared on the bottom, like the mint was trying to make the "0" more circular. To the Top Left, there is an area at the 11'oclock area that juts out.
The "6" is just as strange. The Bottom LFEFT outer side has that same square looking design. There is extra metal extremely close to the edge of the six.
The "9" is in a little better shape, but not much. There is residual metal all over this digit, and some of it is hard to take a good picture of it. Glare usually overcomes definition.
The "1" is a tad bit thicker than normal, but NO where near the thickness of the left hand side of the "0" or right hand side of the "9".
Again, I am convinced it is an RPM, but unsure of what this type of condition is called.
Could it have been a bizarre attempt to trying to scrub off something. Again under the scope, the "6" and "0" almost have this "squared" appearance and it slaps me in the face. There are a TON of scratches - not Die flow on this coin. I'll see if I can get a good image of the die scratches, BUT - Bewarned - it will probably be extremely bright !
Posted 04/01/2014 11:05 pm
