1960D Small Date - Unusual Toning Pattern

[BadThad]

I have never seen toning develop in concentric rings like this - reminds me of the "lathe lines". The lines are purely toning, the metal looks normal. This coin was at the end of an OBW so I suspect it was in contact with something - but to make that pattern. I dunno, any ideas? STRANGE!

[Petespockets55]

I've seen dark staining similar to this in a random "swipe" pattern which I've attributed to this grease or oils.

I wonder if some lubricant was on the business end of a coin-wrapping machine that came in contact with this one since it was on the end?

[mustbebob]

It does indeed look like something wet was on the end coin and the swirling pattern was done by a rolling machine or rag. The pattern is definitely staining versus toning though.

[jfines69]

With the spots and blotches I'm in with the stains also!!!

[BadThad]

I've seen dark staining similar to this in a random "swipe" pattern which I've attributed to this grease or oils.

I wonder if some lubricant was on the business end of a coin-wrapping machine that came in contact with this one since it was on the end?

Interesting, do you have any pictures?

It's not too often I see something new, I feel like I'm close to the 1 million mark looking at Lincolns but this really had me scratching my head!

[Petespockets55]

Interesting, do you have any pictures?

It's not too often I see something new, I feel like I'm close to the 1 million mark looking at Lincolns but this really had me scratching my head!

Unfortunately, I don't have any images that I can recall.

Thinking back, my mind processed three things that leave visual concentric lines (incuse, raised, or neither) on the face of coins: coin-wrapping machines, lath lines, or stains.

After looking closer at your nice clear images, I can't even be sure there aren't raised concentric lines after all, in addition to the dark lines. (At first, the dark and light lines sort of reminded me of roller lines but it can't be that.)

I've marked up your image of the closeup to show some areas that, due to the lighting or my mental perception, look raised. With your knowledge and experience, there's no way any sane person would question what you are seeing but I know I've had Lincolns that I had to look at many times to determine if certain features were raised or discolored.

Here's your image where I've added arrows to show areas that, to me, look like the concentric lines might be raised.

The way my mind is perceiving these makes me wonder if they might be "leftover" lathe lines that have toned like this.

[BadThad]

I looked and looked and the lines don't look raised to me. I think this is just an odd staining pattern.

[willbrooks]

For what it's worth, I agree these definitely aren't lathe lines. I'm with Bob. Stain. Not a coincidence on the end coin.