1997p Lincoln Ear Ring ???

[Guest]

Found this roll searching today. Its a 1997p with what appears to be a pinpoint (raised) dot on lincolns ear... I remember reading an article long ago about the us mint adding dots like these to catch unscrupulous mint workers... anyone have any ideas on how this got there? Maybe that was just a myth but this looks pretty cool... maybe just an odd spot to have a plating bump?

[Maineman750]

Yeah..most likely a plating bubble.

[jcuve]

It's either a die dot (gouge) or as suggested a plating bubble.

[stonecad]

closer image

Here is a better view of the raised dot... It is definately raised so a die gouge?

[simonm]

I vote die dot on this one.

[coop]

I'm thinking gas bubble. There is another under the jaw.

[simonm]

Or maybe Abe got his ears pierced!

[stonecad]

I'll call it "To catch a thief" - I might as well start my own theory on why the dot is there... Its been done before.. Now if I can just get into those nation archives I could be rich!

[Antiquity]

If I remember correctly it was the 1875 Indian head cent that had a raised dot on the reverse to catch the thief.

[stonecad]

yes that is correct. I could think of no other reason for a dot like this to be there.. the philadelphia mint has always kind of been "error prone" ??