Bilateral Collar Crack On A 1969-S Lincoln Cent?

Do have a roll of cents in a clear plastic tube of solid copper planchet coins? Take a look at the edges of the coins. You will note that many of these cents look like your coin. As you turn the tube vertically, you will see this on the solid copper cents. The strike is different because the profiles are different. These have a higher bust design. It is call a 'high profile'. The single squeeze cents have a 'low profile'. That means the design of the bust is lower. You will note on these cents that these coins don't show this as often.

On your coin you will note that double rim near the edge of the coin. These are formed by a tilted die issue. With the die at a slight tilt, it will make the rim lower on one area, and higher on another area. The lower area because of the tilt will allow the metal to escape between the die and the collar creating a fin. Most of the time this fin is not wide and is often flattened during the rolling process. Just like on your coin.




So when these fins are flattened, they are no longer collectibles. This all happens on a single strike. So your coin is struck with normal dies, but during the strike there occurred a slight tilt of the die allowing a fin to develop, that was later flattened.



Not a mint error, but common. Hope this helps.

to the Community!

Note the thinnest on my images. That is what collectors are looking for. Ones like yours has been flattened are easy to find. Save it for now, until you find a better one.

How exactly does the die become tilted in the first place. That would mean many of those coins were probably struck. Is there ever a time when it's the planchet that is tilted ?

Dan