1997 - D Nickel Error? Newbie Here.

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Your photos are good enough to show something going on at the mint mark.

I believe all mint marks were added to the master die after 1990 or so - which means the days of hand punched mint marks and the varieties associated with them should have concluded before this coin was produced.

Our experts will check in shortly - see what they have to say.

@john1 - sorry my computer is down. :( waiting for a fix next time post I will use better photos I promise!

to the Community!

Your post was moved to the appropriate forum for the proper attention.

I have found dozens of the D mint marks that look like that in the 1990s date range. I can not explain why there are so many so I just spend them

From the look of it I have two guesses, one would be there is some kind of gunk or glue inside the mint mark, if there is multiple I would guess some sort of die clash with America on the obverse. I don't have the overlay so we will see what the pros have to add.

Edit:that's assuming it's raised and not incuse, if it's incuse then I'm not sure.

Machine Doubling on GOD, date and mintmark, along with die wear as also part of an issue. The MD is a post striking error from the machine after the strike. The die wear is an aging die issue (die event). Neither are a premium for the coin. As mentioned 1989 was the last year the mintmarks were added to the dies. Post 1990 they are now part of the design. So if something was hub doubled, it could be the mintmark area and the date. But on your coin that is not the case. It is an issue with a loose die striking error. So welcome aboard. The thirst hurdle to pick up on the the areas you are looking:
1. The devices showing Machine Doubling will be affected on the outside/inside edges of the devices. Don't look there. Look for enlargement of the devices in the centers of the devices. Looking at the listings of DDO on the nickels:
http://www.varietyvista.com/04b%20J...Listings.htm
Not much found on that year. DDR:
http://www.varietyvista.com/04b%20J...Listings.htm
Same for the reverses. Nothing listed. So they are pretty much a waste of time to search at this point for that year.
But using the site, look at the newest ones to see what are out there. Read it as a map to determine where/what to look for on the new designs. The DDO and DDR are on areas you are not looking. So skip ahead to see where to find these, and what you are looking for. They are not what your thinking so far. So save your eyes and take a look:
http://www.varietyvista.com/04d%20J...Listings.htm
Just one years doubled dies are listed for DDO:
http://www.varietyvista.com/04d%20J...Listings.htm
Several years listed for the DDR. So Look to see where these are and what is affected. You read a map to get where you want, check the sites to see where to look and you will reach your destination. Think smarter, not harder. If nothing appears on these areas, move on to the next coin. If you look too hard, you will find just Machine Doubling and Die Deterioration on the designs. Questions? Always ask the coin addicts. The addiction is strong here. We are here to help and assist. All are part of the Community Family of collectors.

I try to help others see what I see on your coin. Getting the help by teaching is my goal.