1990 Penny looks and feels Odd.

[Guest]

I was going through my wheat and Lincoln coins tonight and came across this 1990 penny. The lettering on the coin appears thick, broken on some letters. On the reverse I can feel the outline by touching this penny. Also the rim around the coin seem's is turned under to a degree. What do you guys think?

[jcuve]

Your 1990 has suffered a decent amount of environmental damage, including corrosion and wear. That might explain everything you are seeing. The obverse die might have been slightly misaligned, nothing great, certainly within Mint tolerances and might be part of the issue on the coin's west side. It is also possible that the strike was weak, or there was grease on the die around IN GOD and LIB of LIBERTY, but it almost doesn't matter as it doesn't fall into a collectible error with such minor amounts - if that is even one of the factors anyway.

Keep up the hunt!

[johnsonconnie34]

Your 1990 has suffered a decent amount of environmental damage, including corrosion and wear. That might explain everything you are seeing. The obverse die might have been slightly misaligned, nothing great, certainly within Mint tolerances and might be part of the issue on the coin's west side. It is also possible that the strike was weak, or there was grease on the die around IN GOD and LIB of LIBERTY, but it almost doesn't matter as it doesn't fall into a collectible error with such minor amounts - if that is even one of the factors anyway.

Keep up the hunt!

Thanks for the Info. I have about 500 pennies dated from 1889-2012 and I have already went through 200 of them already. I keep thinking that our of all those pennies, I should find at least one penny with error's(lol) but I'm finding out you can go through months and months of coins and find nothing that is really worth much, but I really enjoy collecting coins. I am more relaxed when I am going over my coins and excited with each coin I get. I appreciate you guy.

[Steven]

I keep thinking that our of all those pennies, I should find at least one penny with error's(lol) but I'm finding out you can go through months and months of coins and find nothing that is really worth much.

It's the feeling of exitement I get when I do find a decent die variety or error that keeps me searching. Always looking for the next thrill of discovery.

Steven

[jcuve]

The hardest part, and I guess the real thrill of searching, comes from the sheer amount of coins one needs to go through to find something. Look for varieties, clashes & trail dies. Errors are rarer, even if they are not terribly valuable at times. You'd be surprised how many trail dies there are in $25 worth of Lincolns. Once you figure out how to spot one, usually you can find others. Keep up the hunt!

[lucybug]

It's like a treasure hunt. I just really enjoy the hunt. Not that I find a whole lot and have to ask a lot of questions when I think I may have found one.