1970 S LMC, PMD, No Premium, But How Did They Do It?

Could be a rotated, capped die, a deteriored die OR some odd PMD. Post it in the errors/varieties forum for the experts. If it's an error, it could be a valuable coin.

Actually, there is a second bust. Also note the "O" under the "0" in the date. And what I identified as a stray one between the 9 and 7, I now realize is the top of the second 7, then the top of the second 9 is over the one in the date. and a faint "1" can be seen to the left of the one in the date. Also you can make out the faint mintmark of the second impression under the one in the date. I wish I could get a better shot of "Liberty" as you can see the second, rotated, impression there very well.

I would rather not put it in the error section as I will undoubtedly get the usual response; PMD, why are you wasting our time. If I start out as PMD and it turns out to be something else, then great, but right now I am just interested in how it was made.

Thanks!

LOL, that is not PMD You have a coin that was struck through a late stage capped die. The process starts when a coin adheres to a die, that coin then begins to act like a new die itself. The first few strikes produce very valuable mirror image brockages.

As more strikes occur, the brockage spreads out and becomes less distinct because the die cap thins out and wraps around the die shank, obliterating the detail of the die cap. The die detail begins to be transferred to the struck coins again but it is still being struck through a thin piece of metal(the die cap) so the detail has a soft mushy appearance to it. The die cap can also rotate while coins are being struck which can result in a multi-image transfer.

Sorry I missed this in time to reply with an informed answer ...

biokemist6 has it nailed along with a fabulous description of how a capped die degenerates over time and the resultant coins produced by such an error.

Great coin ... 1970-S LMC (Large Date BTW) struck through a late stage capped die.

The fun part for us roll searchers is that there are many more of the same coin out there ... and the ever elusive first few strikes of the capped die that have produced mirror image coins show in biokemist6 great reply.

Pleased the Mod Dudes moved your post here where we can offer our views.

David

That is definitely a nice error, IMO it is a much nicer error than a relatively common clipped planchet or off-center strike. Value would probably be around $10 but personally I would pay a little more* since it is a Memorial S mint, much less common compared to the average P or D Lincoln Memorial.

*Not an actual offer to buy, only a hypothetical scenario:)