Roll Find - 2004-D Lincoln With Circular-Arch Die Chip

I considered that it might be something under the copper plating, but after viewing it from all angles under a 30x microscope it looks to be a die chip. Gas bubbles or something under the copper plating seem to reflect light different, and just look different from devises or areas struck up buy the die.

I guess it is possible to be other than a die chip, and as you suggested gas under the plating. Let me think about probing it with something less defacing then a tooth-pick. I think I will experiment first on a known gas bubble.

A die chip would happen in a stress weakened part of the die. This is not one of those areas. This is either a gas bubble or a dent in the die from a hit. Either way, there's not much interest in these more common things out there.

OK, I fetched a toothpick - a bright red one. When I stuck it under a Microscope at 10x magnification it looked like a giant pointed baseball bat!

I found two Lincoln Cents (1982 and 1987-D), each with a nice gas bubble under the copper plating. Before the test, I'm thinking - "these coins are too old to be able to puncture or dent the gas bubbles with this toothpick. But, I was able to dent both bubbles with the toothpick.

Now, to test the 2004-D Lincoln Cent. The raised arch looked so much different than the gas bubbles (it was higher, larger and seemed to reflect more light), I thought "this test will indicate we could have a die variety". But, to my surprise I was able to flatten the whole thing with the toothpick!

I am now a supporter of the "Toothpick Test". Go try it on some gas bubbles.

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The Danester