Gump Posted August 12, 2006 Report Share Posted August 12, 2006 Hey guys, it's been over a year since I've posted because this past year (and next year) will be crazy for me as I'm finishing up college.... But I miss my regular coining! Even though I was (and continue to be) pretty new at it...but regardless....last year, my friend gave me the standard 1985 Proof set as a gift (I was born in 85). Today I came across it while moving my stuff and took a good look at the set - to only notice, for the first time, a major error on the rear of the lincoln penny! I don't know how to properly describe this error in numinastic terms, and I need to figure out how to properly send this off and get it slabbed by pros - it's still sitting in the proof set itself, has never been opened, removed, or touched. My best description is "the n looks doubled and there is a horizontal gash line thru it..."? Is this of any major worth? I don't sell my coins, but this one is of no special value to me so I'd love to sell it on ebay for some schoolbook money if this were worth a good amount! Here's the best photo I could come up with: -- link removed -- here are multiple shots of the penny in high-res: -- link removed -- -- link removed -- -- link removed -- -- link removed -- let me know what you guys think i should do, what the value of this thing is, or anything else - any input is greatly appreciated! thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccg Posted August 12, 2006 Report Share Posted August 12, 2006 Whoa. That looks like one heck of a die crack... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syzygy Posted August 12, 2006 Report Share Posted August 12, 2006 Yeh, like ccq said - that's a die crack. Usually, these do not fetch a big premium, but your coin has two characteristics that might make it worth more than a run-of-the-mill die crack. First, that is a nice big die crack - especially around the 'N' - very dramatic. Second, it's a proof, and die cracks should be more scarce in proofs. A user here, errorist, specializes in proof errors - particularly die cracks as I remember - it would be interesting to hear is opinion on your coin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vfox Posted August 12, 2006 Report Share Posted August 12, 2006 That seems a little wide for a die crack, more like a die gouge maybe. I would check into that a little more, I've never heard of a variety like that in 85 proofs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stilson Posted August 12, 2006 Report Share Posted August 12, 2006 That seems a little wide for a die crack, more like a die gouge maybe. I would check into that a little more, I've never heard of a variety like that in 85 proofs. That's what I was wondering. It does look really straight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syzygy Posted August 12, 2006 Report Share Posted August 12, 2006 That's what I was wondering. It does look really straight. I'm still going with a die crack - maybe a cud near the 'N' where a chip of die flaked off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gump Posted August 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2006 So what should I do next? Send it to a "professional" or mail it away to be slabbed the ICS(?) ? I'm basically standing around with this coin wondering if it's even worth my time or value to get checked out or slabbed....I'm thinking that it is, but I don't know what I should do next. The input is greatly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gump Posted August 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2006 near the 'N' where a chip of die flaked off. Actually that appears to be a chip, but it's not on the coin, I think it's a piece of paper from the inside of the case. It's paper of some sort. If i were to open the plastic case and blow lightly that piece should move away. I think.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccg Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 Actually that appears to be a chip, but it's not on the coin, I think it's a piece of paper from the inside of the case. It's paper of some sort. If i were to open the plastic case and blow lightly that piece should move away. I think.... I think the reference was to the line by the N. Notice that the line there gets "fatter", and appears to go over the letter as well. On a second look, I'm now not 100% that it's a die crack, and am also considering the possibility of other die damage, but it's definately something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 Very interesting. I'd say it's quite unusual to find something like this on a proof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stilson Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 I have recently seen a graded die crack proof dime what commanded a nice premium. I can't remember the exact price but I think a little over $100. A lot of times its hard to say how much a coin like that will go for. You can predict a documented one such as a listed double die. But others are just luck of who sees them and if the want is there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
errorist Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 In my opinion it is not a die crack it is a plating error. A very nice one at that and should have been seen at the mint and should never have been alowed to get out. I have a few of them also. Don't know why they are not as popular to me they are as neat as die cracked proofs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
errorist Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 Gump, That is a great coin. I like it very much. Any error on a proof coin should be worth a nice premium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syzygy Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 In my opinion it is not a die crack it is a plating error. A very nice one at that and should have been seen at the mint and should never have been alowed to get out. I have a few of them also. Don't know why they are not as popular to me they are as neat as die cracked proofs. A plating error? Hmmm hadn't thought about that much. So that 'line' is a bubble or extra plating and goes no further than the thin copper plating...interesting. I would think that it would not be of such regular shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gump Posted August 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 There seem to be quite a few different views of what this coin is. If I send it away to be slabbed, will they choose the correct description of what this coin really is? Or could it be improperly labeled a die crack when it's really something else? What should my next step be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syzygy Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 There seem to be quite a few different views of what this coin is. If I send it away to be slabbed, will they choose the correct description of what this coin really is? Or could it be improperly labeled a die crack when it's really something else? What should my next step be? One thing that you can do is take the coin to some local dealers and ask for their opinion. There are always limitations in making judgements based on a picture as compared to "in-hand'. It still looks like a die crack to me, but many here, such as Errorist, have a lot of experience and own proof die cracks - it would not be a shock to me to hear that a professional opinion was a plating problem or something similar. Let us know what happens! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conder101 Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 I was also wondering if it might be a plating bubble. It just doesn't look like a die crack. (The pictures just aren't clear enough to be sure.) The surfaces are too smooth and regular especially in the thick area by the N. A crack usually has a thin pointed ridge not a rounded smooth surace. In a broad crack area the top surfaces may be smooth, but te sides are normally uneven. This just look like a bubble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
errorist Posted August 15, 2006 Report Share Posted August 15, 2006 I have a very similar one on a different year. It looks like spear going through Lincolns Head. I am 99 percent sure it is a bubbled plating error based on the pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gump Posted August 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 I have a very similar one on a different year. It looks like spear going through Lincolns Head. I am 99 percent sure it is a bubbled plating error based on the pictures. What as the value of that coin? Everyone else: I'm finishing 20 pages of school papers in the next two days, I've been moving into an apartment all week and taking the LSAT in one month - so it may be a little bit before I have a moment to go to a coin shop. But I will do it, and you'll all know the final result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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