OK guys here is the coin in question. I apologize for the pictures but I've about reached the Apex of my abilities. Alot of the issues and details I'm having a hard time capturing but will do my best to explain, and any tips or tricks to better capture the details are very welcome and appreciated. Also I apologize for any Improper terminology I may use, it's not from ignorance or mocking the hobby by any means. Believe me my daughter and I may be new to this but take it very seriously. I'll start with the back story of acquisition.
A few weeks ago while doing some early Saturday yard saling we ran across a small collection dump. I didn't really thoroughly scour the collection but for the $10 asking price I knew there was more than that in just face value (actual face value came to $23.82).
Part of the lot were 2 "cent books". The first thing I noticed with the books was whomever put them together unfortunately cleaned every coin in the books! A few looked to be uncirculated even 2 or 3 proofs as well, but the majority had been cleaned. Upon opening the first book I spotted a 1935 Philadelphia that didn't fit the punch out very well. So poorly in fact the person had to alter the hole to fit the coin, this peaked my interest. After removing it all kinds of things popped out at me and I've been confused ever since. So here we go.......
***COIN INFO***
Year : 1935
Mint : Philadelphia
Weight : 3.108 grams
Size : Uneven circumference (20.2mm at widest points, 19.7 at closest point)
*Weight verified by 2 separate Jewelers and 1 pawn shop (3.108, 3.109, & 3.108)*
*Diameter done by myself with a digital micrometer (Highly accurate, I use almost daily on Commercial HVAC & refrigeration systems)*
***OBVERSE***
1) Rim has fairly even thickness but is "wavy", definitely not perfectly circular.
a) Rim to field above the motto has right to left "swirl" marks.
PMD?
2) Field has a "rippled/wavy" effect, possibly Expansion Ripples?
3) Bust is much wider and weaker than standard
4) Motto has quite a few issues.
a) "IN" has what appears to be from what I have put together titled hub doubling?
b) "IN" has a raised upper right section (35%) of a second "N" (diagonal and right vertical)
c) "GOD" has tilted, almost smeared letters(G&D)
d) Date has fat/wide numbers
e) "LIBERTY" has fat/wide lettering, uneven, also shows signs of doubling.
***REVERSE***
Here's where it gets interesting.
1) No rim, edges almost at 90°
2) Partial strike of normal reverse image
3) Mutiple horizontal and vertical straight lines, running parallel and intersecting at 90° angles and in a "V" formation. (Raised)
4) Multiple crescent shaped lines (Raised)
5) Multiple small circles (Raised)
6) Off center extremely weak and uneven strike of obverse, section of Lincolns lapel and shoulder easily visible but very weak and soft, very faint outline of Lincolns head that's only visible in certain light and angles.(having a hard time capturing in picture)(Raised)
7) The top portion of "AM" from the reverse "AMERICA" on bottom edge of coin/lapel (Raised)
8) Multiple strikes of random letters, "T" from "CENT" is flipped directly above the normal "T" and then again up and to the left a few mm's, then a third time up and left from that one. I have also noticed "UNITED STATES" looks to be stamped over normal but mirrored. Hard to see without playing with pictures.
I am at a total loss here. Initially we just thought
PMD from sanding, but after inspection I noticed all the lines and circles, as well as the raised image I assumed was from a ship. Last night it finally hit me, I grabbed a 1935 Philly and sure enough the image is an exact match to Lincolns lapel and after finding the right angle and knowing its the lapel I can now make out a very faint outline of his head. Then at the very bottom edge of the coin where the lapel image ends there are 3 small what I first assumed where triangular points. I compared to lettering on the coin and sure enough it's a perfect match for the top of the "A" AND "M" in AMERICA. I will post the original pictures I took and a few zoomed pics. If any of you guys that are more gifted with image editors wouldnt mind trying to sharpen the edges and details there is alot more to see. My knowledge is pretty limited when it comes to the full minting process of the 30's and can't really figure out the striking sequence that created this. Could it possibly be a Die Trial/Adjustment? Maybe a coin that stuck to the obverse die after a weak strike then a damaged reverse die and flipped? Again just guesses any help would be amazing. Thank you guys, Chris and Juli
Posted 02/03/2017 07:39 am
, they are PMD, one of the 1935 looks to have been encased or was ready to be encase.
