Is this a grease-filled die?

[cimperialis]

I've found a few coins like this and was wondering what it's called. Thanks!

[Roller]

I believe the coin has been exposed to some abrasive chemical post strike or it's just plain wear.

[cimperialis]

Really? I have found this effect on about 5 pennies and someone told me it was a grease-filled die. It's pretty smooth.

[Maineman750]

A lot of wear like a dryer coin.

[copperlover]

Simply a worn coin which has some die detoration.

Lucien

[enamel7]

Definitely a dryer coin.

[cents1st]

Circulated for 35 years. "Grease-filled-die" is one of the worst descriptions in numismatics. IF there were any grease on a disk or the dies you would never know it by the coin that was struck....grease is soft! dies are hot!

[mustbebob]

Actually Cents1st, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the terminology of a 'Grease filled die'. The grease used in the machinery is very thick and viscous. If the grease gets stuck in the recesses of the die, it does impact the clarity of the strike. The grease prevents a full strike as it has no where to go. The collar keeps it from escaping. The resulting coin will show weakness in the design elements.
That is not the case with this particular coin, as it most likely is a 'dryer coin', but the term grease filled die is very accurate and applicable in many cases of weak details on a struck coin.

[rlm's cents]

Actually Cents1st, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the terminology of a 'Grease filled die'. The grease used in the machinery is very thick and viscous. If the grease gets stuck in the recesses of the die, it does impact the clarity of the strike. The grease prevents a full strike as it has no where to go. The collar keeps it from escaping. The resulting coin will show weakness in the design elements.
That is not the case with this particular coin, as it most likely is a 'dryer coin', but the term grease filled die is very accurate and applicable in many cases of weak details on a struck coin.

Actually, the "grease" in this case is as much glue as it is grease. It has been impregnated with metal (powdered or similar) and the grease is merely holding everything together. It is nearly comparable in hardness to the die.

[mustbebob]

Actually, the "grease" in this case is as much glue as it is grease. It has been impregnated with metal (powdered or similar) and the grease is merely holding everything together. It is nearly comparable in hardness to the die.

I have no idea what you are getting at rim's cents. In my opinion, this is totally off the wall. What is the grease holding together? What coin are you talking about? I am very curious as to this theory of yours, and where you came up with it. I am only perusing this because this should be a simple case of a post mint damaged coin. When we get to responses like this, are we doing more harm than good?

[rlm's cents]

I have no idea what you are getting at rim's cents. In my opinion, this is totally off the wall. What is the grease holding together? What coin are you talking about? I am very curious as to this theory of yours, and where you came up with it. I am only perusing this because this should be a simple case of a post mint damaged coin. When we get to responses like this, are we doing more harm than good?

What is the grease holding together - metal.
Not really my idea, but I do agree with it. It is from Mike Diamond or at least an interpolation of his words. Regardless, the "grease" is not the consistency of what you use on your car or whatever.

It's most likely struck through "grease". The term "grease" is a catchall term for any kind of gunk that accumulates on the die face. The texture of this gunk is highly variable and is often rough. Compacted "grease" can be hard and brittle. It can break off into irregular flakes. In copper-plated zinc cents, "grease" typically has a smooth texture.

Read more: http://www.cointalk.com/t146273/#ixzz1ayDkkOOk

[mustbebob]

OK...I can go with most of that. However, your post mentioned it was like a glue. At times, the grease can indeed hold dirt and grime, but that is not always true. The heat can indeed stiffen it too. However my response was to an individual's claim that if grease were on the die or 'blank', you would never know it. This still doesn't apply to the original post. Thanks for your input!

[rlm's cents]

OK...I can go with most of that. However, your post mentioned it was like a glue. At times, the grease can indeed hold dirt and grime, but that is not always true. The heat can indeed stiffen it too. However my response was to an individual's claim that if grease were on the die or 'blank', you would never know it. This still doesn't apply to the original post. Thanks for your input!

I fully undrestand that you were talking to cents1st rather than cimperialis. My main point was that the "grease" on coin dies bears little resemblance to what most people consider grease. First off, it is made to resist the heat and secondly, by the time it obscures the die details, it is not longer "soft".

[Maineman750]

Gotta say this has been a confusing thread...and still wondering how die deterioration fits into best answer.

[1sgret]

Post Mint Damage ! Heat or chemicals is most likely the cause.