1986P-LC-Strange Columns

[11997755]

This is what Mike had to say about the coin.

"I would like to study this coin closely. Could you send it to me for a possible write-up in Coin World? You will naturally be credited for the find. I need to see if the vertical lines on the steps match the vertical lines in the bays of the Memorial. If they do, then I have some deep thinking to do."

Unfortunately, I didn't think about doing an overlay until I had it zipped up for mailing. Like you said though " An in hand look by one of the pros is always best!!!

[jfines69]

This is what Mike had to say about the coin.

"I would like to study this coin closely. Could you send it to me for a possible write-up in Coin World? You will naturally be credited for the find. I need to see if the vertical lines on the steps match the vertical lines in the bays of the Memorial. If they do, then I have some deep thinking to do."

Unfortunately, I didn't think about doing an overlay until I had it zipped up for mailing. Like you said though " An in hand look by one of the pros is always best!!!

Cool... Thanks for the follow up!!!

[11997755]

This is what Mike determined from looking at the coin in hand. Not going to make it in Coin World magazine but still a cool find.

I have the coin in-hand. The raised vertical lines lines on the steps of the Memorial do NOT match the raised vertical lines in the bays of the Memorial. I can only conclude that all these lines represent intentional die abrasion. But we need to explain why the lines on the Memorial steps are largely in line with the columns of the Memorial. I can only speculate that, somehow, the column recesses in the die face guided the abrasive tool southward into the steps. I have not seen (or noticed) this effect before. It's peculiar and interesting, but doesn't quite make the cut for one of my columns. Thanks for letting me look at it, Earl.

[VAB2013]

Thank you for giving us this update from Mike Diamond! Even though it didn't make it to one of Mr. Diamond's articles, it is a very interesting and from the way it sounds it could be a "one of a kind" find so far! Definitely a cool find! Congrats!

[11997755]

and from the way it sounds it could be a "one of a kind" find so far!

I would think there should be thousands more out there unless the mint decided to quit using the die.

[VAB2013]

I would think there should be thousands more out there unless the mint decided to quit using the die.

Yes, probably so, but it doesn't seem like any of us have seen this yet so perhaps yours is the first one seen and reported!

[jfines69]

Thanks for the follow up... I know what happened - Mint worker fell asleep (passed out) during abrasion work No telling how many of these were produced... If the die got retired shortly after this then not many but if it ran till the die fell apart then a bunch!!!

[11997755]

Looks like this error will make it into Coin World magazine after all.

Quoting Mike Diamond:

Actually, I have decided to write it up, as part of a more general treatment on how die recesses can guide polishing and abrasion marks. This approach should provide enough material to generate a full column.

[VAB2013]

Congrats Earl! This is great news! That is great that Mike has decided to include your 1986P in an upcoming Coin World article! We are looking forward to knowing more about Mike Diamond's explanation of this!

[makecents]

Looks like this error will make it into Coin World magazine after all.

Quoting Mike Diamond:

Congrats!! That is very cool!!

[jfines69]

Cool... Congrats Earl and thanks Mike!!!

[willbrooks]

Cool find! You are correct, those are die abrasions from removing a die clash and I've never seen them at the lower part of the Memorial either! I can see a little bit of a die clash in bay 4. I think what you are referring to as "columns extensions" are die extensions, which would be like trails or wavy steps.

Here's the definition of die extensions from our glossary.

Design Extension Anomaly: An unintentional protraction of design elements, such as trails, dimples, and wavy steps. These are believed to happen to the working die during the hubbing process, and have an unknown cause.

This definition is false. It needs to be removed form the glossary. Peter, please remove this false listing from the glossary. Thank you.

[GrumpyEd]

Because they probably happen after the hubbing process but before the die is used?

[Petespockets55]

Hey there Will.
Or because of the inclusion of trails and/or wavy steps in this definition?

[VAB2013]

This definition is false. It needs to be removed form the glossary. Peter, please remove this false listing from the glossary. Thank you.

Earl, I'm not sure if you knew about this, and we don't want to confuse the issue with your find on this thread. Back several months ago Will wrote an article that was published in Coin World based on his research and extensive knowledge of the Lincoln cent and the minting process. Will's article was about trail dies and how they occur, which was related to trails and wavy steps found on Lincoln cents. I'm not sure if "dimples" were included in the study? Here is a link to Will's thread on this subject

http://www.lincolncentforum.com/forum/showthread.php?40904-Trail-Dies-feedback-questions-thread&highlight=trail