1963-D from Chris

[lara4228]

Hey Everyone,

I got this one from Chris and I'm a little stumped. The obverse looks fine. Normal. The reverse really has me scratching my head. He says these are all BU, which they are and have only been searched for RPM's. So my assumption is that these coins have not been circulated in the sense we know it to be - passed from hand to hand through business transactions (retail).

What is the blackened gunk on the reverse? You will notice it is smudged. There is die chips (or maybe a die break?) kind of hanging onto the last column. But the odd thing throughout the black stuff, you will see bits and pieces of the metal flaked within in, being smudged as well.

I haven't picked at it yet. I wanted to hear from you gals/guys first.

Is this grease from the die? Or has this been circulated (as we know circulation to be)?

Thanks,

Lara

[uglycent]

It looks like the prewash they use on the platchets soaked into a lamination crack and has run out over time.

[lara4228]

Interesting. So what would happen if I wiped it off or tried to pick at it?

[jallengomez]

Lara,

I see this quite frequently on uncirculated cents, and my only comment is that it's simply gunk. It will usually come off easily under distilled water. My guess is that such coins as this were once on the end of a roll or either left over grease gunk from the mint. It doesn't at all mean that the coins were ever circulated.

[coinman2009]

A nice mint grease smudge, I like to leave them that way! Enjoy!

[liveandievarieties]

Grease, got onto the coin post strike, same stuff that causes a struck thru grease error. As Jody said, it's commonly found on 60s-era cents in original rolls.

[lara4228]

OK, now my question arises from your answers (because I don't know any better), wouldn't it make sense for the mint to use a clear, silicone-type grease instead of a heavier weighted grease? My sense of logic behind this question is that a lighter and silkier grease would make it easier to work with on a surface containing such fine details.

[jallengomez]

OK, now my question arises from your answers (because I don't know any better), wouldn't it make sense for the mint to use a clear, silicone-type grease instead of a heavier weighted grease? My sense of logic behind this question is that a lighter and silkier grease would make it easier to work with on a surface containing such fine details.

I'm not sure what type of grease the mint uses, but my guess would be that regardless, "gunk" would still build up. Keep in mind that dust, dirt, and copper flakings would build up in any type of grease they used.

[lara4228]

Yes, hubby and I were talking about that. He and I ended up in an hour long discussion over this darn coin, lol. I am not mechanical in ANY way, he is ALL mechanical in every way. So he was trying to explain the whole metal processing from ingot to stamped plachet.

During this I did mention the shavings and such from cleaning the machines/die working area.

I think that is the key as why I am lagging so far behind in understanding this hobby. I simply don't do mechanics. I aced math, managed an automotive shop and talk tires till your blue in the face. Talk dies, modifying, engines, etc. I'm lost.

[Maineman750]

Lara, a good example for you is the almost clear grease you get for fishing reels. It is almost transparent and very soft when you put it on. Open the reel a few years later and it's black and some will be hard as wax where it bunched up in a corner.

[lara4228]

Thank you Roger.