Kennedy Missing Star And D Smashed?

Hi,

No, That wouldn't be it.

Note that the depression on the obverse lines up perfectly with the missing star on the reverse.

It is most likely that the coin was placed on a hard flat surface and was struck with a punch of some sort. It could have even been a nail, for example.

It would make a depression on the obverse and obliterate the star on the reverse.

It was probably done outside of the Mint.

Thanks,
Bill

Er, why would that destroy the star on the reverse - wouldn't that just push the metal underneath the star out creating a bump, but leaving the star in tact? I guess if you put something equally hard just larger than the star behind the coin and THEN struck it on the obverse, that would flatted out the star...

If it was struck with a punch, wouldn't the shape be deformed? It's perfectly flat. And the surrounding area of the star show no problems.

Thats the clincher. The sharp edges were caused by whatever metal punched was used. And no, if the coin were on a hard , flat surface and a punch or nail was used to hammer the coin, only the spot directly opposite the punch would be affected. Thats why there is a depression on the obverse and a flat spot on the reverse.

Try it yourself. take a cent or a quarter, a hammer and a nail, lay the cent (or quarter) on an anvil or the flat part of a vice. Take a whack at it. If the whack was true and you didn't bounce the hammer during the strike, you will see a depression on the front and a flat spot on the back. (Unless you hit it so hard that you make a hole)

Also, many nail tips are not round but squared.

Still sounds like a nail was used as a punch on the coin.

Thanks,
Bill