Error Other | Faceless Abe #2

[Guest]

I am still trying to gather information about this curious 1972 D Lincoln cent that I recently found, and ultimately if it is valuable. President Lincoln's portrait doesn't have a face. I think it was an error strike at the mint. I can't imagine how it could have been done after being struck as the coin shows no signs of damage that I would expect to see on the reverse. No rim damage, no bulges, or dents. It does have some damage but they seem to me to be only superficial scratches.


I am no expert, that is why I am asking for assistance, so I could be completely wrong in my assessment. If anyone has a different assessment, agrees with me, or simple can explain how or why it came to appear this way, please let me know.


Since this is the first forum I have ever posted on I am sure that I will not provide the proper information, ask the right questions, or I may use improper terminology, but please have patience with me. Let me know and I will fix the problem so you could perhaps help me. I may be ignorant, but I'm not stupid.


Thank you all in advance for any help, information, comments, concerns or guidance you can provide me.

[VAB2013]

Welcome to the LCF Rmalone! Very good first post and photos! This Lincoln is very interesting looking and I am still studying your photos.

Take ease here, lots of friendly people always happy to help. If we can't figure something out, we have pro's just a message away to help us with the difficult things!

[mustbebob]

Welcome to the forum. Great pics! This does appear to be PMD (Post Mint Damage). The obverse and the reverse damage may be separate from each other. The obverse damage looks like something was forced over the edge and into the field. It is also smooth because of circulation. I have seen similar damage with the use of a soldering iron, but the damage to he rim shows what direction it was from. The reverse damage is most likely someone just scratching it with a metal object or something similar. Once again, damage to the rim just about rules out Mint damage on this.
Basically, we call it a garage job. Someone with too much time on their hands and some tools.

[makecents]

Nice pics Rmalone. I remember your first post. I think somebody in your area has it out for Abe!!

[VAB2013]

Thank you very much Bob for stopping by this thread for Rmalone! We really appreciate your time and expertise!!!

[GrumpyEd]

There's sort of a raised wave where the low area ends that passes around where the ear would be that looks like metal pushed from the missing area.
That pretty much says PMD because if struck through, the die still won't let anything be raised on the coin.

[Rmalone]

This is the same coin. I just could not for the life of me figure out how to add pictures of the reverse of the coin, so I had to just start over. I know it's sad.

[VAB2013]

This is the same coin. I just could not for the life of me figure out how to add pictures of the reverse of the coin, so I had to just start over. I know it's sad.

Awww no problem at all Rmalone! We are still here for you! We all had to, and still have stumbling blocks and hurdles to jump over! Have fun searching and always feel free to jump in and join the fun! We don't care if you jump in the wrong place

[jfines69]

Nice pics... I'm with the others on the damage... A good coin to keep as a sample for future reference!!!