This is a genuine error. It was struck through a thin, previously-struck piece of metal. That previous strike was a uniface strike. The struck, uniface piece of metal was, in turn, struck into the planchet represented by this coin. This strike generated an incuse, normally-oriented version of LIBERTY. As to the doubling that is seen on the date, this is an uncommon effect associted with such errors. I don't really know why it appears, but I have half a dozen examples.
The struck piece of metal may represent the detached bottom of a late-stage die cap. But there are other possibilities, such as a piece of "coin shrapnel" from a multi-coin pile-up.
The struck piece of metal may represent the detached bottom of a late-stage die cap. But there are other possibilities, such as a piece of "coin shrapnel" from a multi-coin pile-up.
Error coin writer and researcher.




















