1994 Lincoln With Straight Line Across Obverse

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 1,406
ConfederateHalf Valued Member United States 79 Posts	Posted 01/21/2015 6:18 pm I found this unusual 1994 Lincoln in a BWR this week. It shows a prominent straight line across the obverse of the coin and it is definitely not a scratch. In fact, it does not have the appearance of PMD at all and this is a mint state coin. It is difficult to tell if the line is raised when examined in hand, but the macro pics seem to indicate that it is. There is no sign of a line on the reverse. The line appears to have been pre-existent on the planchet prior to striking because it disappears wherever it intersects with devices such as the date and Lincoln's bust. Can anyone explain what I'm seeing here? . Here are my photos: Edited by ConfederateHalf 01/21/2015 6:27 pm Report this Post to the Staff

Buddy Rest in Peace United States 7075 Posts	Posted 01/21/2015 6:40 pm I thinks it's gas bubbles. Report this Post to the Staff
biokemist6 Bedrock of the Community United States 12437 Posts	Posted 01/21/2015 6:42 pm It is a linear plating bubble. A streak of contamination was present on the zinc blank prior to copper plating which caused poor bonding. If the bubble is breached, as happens many times, zinc rot will eventually set in. Report this Post to the Staff
Rackster Pillar of the Community United States 4809 Posts	Posted 01/21/2015 6:56 pm gas. Report this Post to the Staff
ConfederateHalf Valued Member United States 79 Posts	Posted 01/21/2015 7:45 pm Thanks to all for identifying this error. I was familiar with bubbles on Zincolns but was unaware that they sometimes formed in a straight line like this. I take it that these are commonly seen and have no added value other than as a curiosity? Report this Post to the Staff
Rackster Pillar of the Community United States 4809 Posts	Posted 01/21/2015 7:55 pm Pretty common, but your specimen is amongst the most affected I've seen. The usual test is the 'fingernail test'. If you can flatten/push the bubble then its the thin copper plate lifting from the substrate (zinc). A blunt toothpick would do the trick too. Keep asking the questions: it steepens the learning curve! Report this Post to the Staff
Rackster Pillar of the Community United States 4809 Posts	Posted 01/21/2015 8:00 pm PS - no premium that I know of, but interesting to find. Report this Post to the Staff
ConfederateHalf Valued Member United States 79 Posts	Posted 01/21/2015 8:09 pm Quote: Pretty common, but your specimen is amongst the most affected I've seen. The usual test is the 'fingernail test'. If you can flatten/push the bubble then its the thin copper plate lifting from the substrate (zinc). A blunt toothpick would do the trick too. Keep asking the questions: it steepens the learning curve! Yes, it is a pretty striking example I think. I went and Googled for photos of other Zincolns with "linear plating bubbles" and none of the other examples I found were as long and pronounced as this one. Since it is in mint state I think I'll throw it into a 2x2 and stick it in my binder of interesting circulation finds. I don't think I'll do the fingernail or toothpick test, though, because I don't want to risk damaging the coin and initiating zinc rot at the puncture point. I am satisfied that the forum has correctly identified what this is. It's kind of cool to look at so I want to try to preserve it. Edited by ConfederateHalf 01/21/2015 8:22 pm Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 7 / Views: 1,406

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