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 Replies: 12 / Views: 757 |
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New Member
United States
4 Posts |
Hi All, I am new to this forum so your kindness is appreciated in advance. Have come across this 1920 Wheathead penny that appears to be an error coin. Have taken the best pictures I can for reference. The area in question appears to be a delamination on the wheat side of the coin. From what I can see, the delamination starts at top of the right wheat and travels through the bottom portion of the word "ONE". It continues through the left wheat. When looking at the left wheat, there is a clear impression of the vertical-ish lines of the wheat over the top of the delamination. I had originally thought this was a scratch but after examining some photos of other similar coins, I think this looks more like a delamination. Any thoughts on this as to what it actually is are welcome.   |
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Moderator
 United States
189285 Posts |
 to the Community! |
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Moderator
United States
97162 Posts |
Finger prints are all over that coin, the coin is not 'weathered' but instead just worn down from circulation. That is a lamination error running across the reverse. Edited by Dearborn
12/29/2021 1:45 pm
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New Member
 United States
4 Posts |
Dearborn thanks, should the coin be cleaned to remove the fingerprints?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3328 Posts |
 looks like a nice lam on the reverse. I don't think I have ever seen such a heavy fingerprint on such a circulated cent. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19201 Posts |
Yes, yes, lamination is present. Looks like fossilized finger prints--if coins could talk.
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Moderator
United States
97162 Posts |
Cleaning that is a no, no. The only thing we can do is a soak in acetone over night. But those prints look to have been on it for a long time and will not come off as they are now etched into the metal.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3328 Posts |
You should never clean your coins. You could try a long acetone soak but I'm guessing those finger prints are ancient and most likely will not come off.
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New Member
United States
4 Posts |
Got it. I'll try soaking in acetone and post more pics afterwards. Thanks for the great advice.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
6244 Posts |
The finger print on silver and gold could be clean sometime totally but it is 1/2-1/2 probability. On cooper, bronze it is almost impossible.
The explanation is simple: the human skin secretions are acidic, more accentuate in hepatic humans. Those acids are enough strong to deteriorate the metal.
Me I see a crack planchet who appear on the coins in general after strike.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1204 Posts |
Welcome to CCF. Nice Lam. Very dramatic. Definitely a keeper even with the fingerprints.
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New Member
United States
14 Posts |
I like the fingerprints,gives it character.  Makes me wonder who's print it could be,helps me appreciate the historic value.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Acetone only then eave it alone. to the CCF! |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 757 |
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Posted 12/29/2021 1:37 pm
Uncirculated American Silver Eagles 
