Interesting Feature In Center Of 1807 50c Db O-109A

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Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 1,156
Cogeto New Member United States 5 Posts	Posted 08/06/2021 5:39 pm I noticed a small circular feature in the dead center of my newly acquired 1807 DB. Probably would have just assumed it was a ding or something except for the fact that this coin also had an unusually convex obverse inside the circumference of the highly visible die crack. Examining the reverse, it too had an even small feature in the dead center. In addition, the die crack seems to have no influence on the date or stars, like the crack was there before the coin was struck...which makes no sense. Is this all some crazy conspiracy theory on my part or does it make sense to anybody? Thanks for any consideration. Report this Post to the Staff

JimmyD Bedrock of the Community Canada 21589 Posts	Posted 08/06/2021 5:53 pm to the CCF Your die crack would not have been on the coin before it was struck. Don't forget the low part ( fields) is the high part of the striking die. A crack would occur on this part without affecting the low part of the die which is the raised (devises) part of the coin. Eventually the crack would become large enough so that it also shows on the devises. The mark in the centre would just be some sort of damage from whatever. Report this Post to the Staff
Cogeto New Member United States 5 Posts	Posted 08/06/2021 6:22 pm Thanks JimmyD much appreciated. I think that too, but it was the convex bulge and the same (but smaller) feature on the reverse in the exact same spot that had me wondering Report this Post to the Staff
kanga Pillar of the Community United States 5825 Posts	Posted 08/06/2021 8:48 pm I'm reasonably sure your "small circular feature" is a center mark that engravers used to get the elements of the design positioned correctly when creating a die. Often it's either removed after the die is completed OR it disappears when the the die elements are placed over it. Die making often required a LOT guiding features while they were created. Here's an example of an 1809 Half Cent. The center dot is obvious. But between OF and AMERICA notice the two arcs. They were used to help place the lettering correctly. Report this Post to the Staff
Zurie Pillar of the Community United States 5663 Posts	Posted 08/06/2021 10:00 pm That center dot is characteristic of the O-109a variety for that date, and it's also seen in some other dates and Overton varieties. I agree it's probably from a divot in the die made by the engraver. I suspect the small hole on the reverse is unrelated. Report this Post to the Staff
Cogeto New Member United States 5 Posts	Posted 08/07/2021 1:20 pm Thanks, Kanga & Zurie. I've seen such features before in early cents but never in larger denominations I guess it puts this all to rest. Thanks again :) Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 5 / Views: 1,156

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