Just Bob

That looks like glue. Try soaking it in acetone for a while.

The gold and silver stars on those labels are a marketing gimmick. They have nothing to do with eye appeal, condition, or actual value of the coins.

I think Mike & Coinbuf have it correct. A newly struck Lincoln cent stuck to the obverse die, creating what is known as a capped die. This means that the surface that would strike the next planchet now had a raised impression of the reverse - the memorial. The first coin struck by this capped die would have had a near perfect incuse impression on one side, and a normal memorial impression on the other side. Each subsequent strike would have caused the cap to expand and thin out, stretching the design. The edges most likely curved around the die face as the coin expanded. After repeated strikes, the cap would have thinned enough to sink slightly into the design on the obverse die - Lincoln's portrait, causing a vaguely head-shaped impression on the coins being struck, called a "ghost image." This is where your coin fits. It was struck through a capped die that had already struck several other coins before it struck yours, which, in coin jargon, is called a brockage. It would probably be a mid- or mid-to-late stage, since one that is truly late stage would actually have all signs of the memorial obliterated, and would show a blurry image of the obverse design.

You sure that isn't a "9" that took a hit and looks like a "6"? 

You sure that isn't a "9" that took a hit and looks like a "6"? 

I think Mike & Coinbuf have it correct. A newly struck Lincoln cent stuck to the obverse die, creating what is known as a capped die. This means that the surface that would strike the next planchet now had a raised impression of the reverse - the memorial. The first coin struck by this capped die would have had a near perfect incuse impression on one side, and a normal memorial impression on the other side. Each subsequent strike would have caused the cap to expand and thin out, stretching the design. The edges most likely curved around the die face as the coin expanded. After repeated strikes, the cap would have thinned enough to sink slightly into the design on the obverse die - Lincoln's portrait, causing a vaguely head-shaped impression on the coins being struck, called a "ghost image." This is where your coin fits. It was struck through a capped die that had already struck several other coins before it struck yours, which, in coin jargon, is called a brockage. It would probably be a mid- or mid-to-late stage, since one that is truly late stage would actually have all signs of the memorial obliterated, and would show a blurry image of the obverse design.

I think Mike & Coinbuf have it correct. A newly struck Lincoln cent stuck to the obverse die, creating what is known as a capped die. This means that the surface that would strike the next planchet now had a raised impression of the reverse - the memorial. The first coin struck by this capped die would have had a near perfect incuse impression on one side, and a normal memorial impression on the other side. Each subsequent strike would have caused the cap to expand and thin out, stretching the design. The edges most likely curved around the die face as the coin expanded. After repeated strikes, the cap would have thinned enough to sink slightly into the design on the obverse die - Lincoln's portrait, causing a vaguely head-shaped impression on the coins being struck, called a "ghost image." This is where your coin fits. It was struck through a capped die that had already struck several other coins before it struck yours, which, in coin jargon, is called a brockage. It would probably be a mid- or mid-to-late stage, since one that is truly late stage would actually have all signs of the memorial obliterated, and would show a blurry image of the obverse design.

Is the design raised or incuse on the distorted image? Looks incuse and mirrored. I'm leaning in-collar, late-stage brockage. Cool find! 

That is the very rare dime that was created when FDR temporarily gave up smoking for a short time and took up chewing tobacco.
 

No, not really. My post was tongue-in-cheek. There were lots of pictures of PCGS, one of ANACS, and none of NGC. I was attempting to play off RWB's joking reply, questioning if PCGS slipped the OP some cash to post all of those pictures. I joked that maybe NGC did not pay her. 
 

SInce we are posting counterfeits:
 

Apparently, NGC either forgot to send their check, or failed to show up at the show. They got left out of the report entirely.
And, what is the story with the guy with the cello case? Did he entertain the show attendees?
PS - Glad Rich was ok. He needs to keep some snacks and water on hand from now on.

I doubt that was the counterfeiters' intent when they created these coins. I feel certain they would have been happy just to fool a few thousand ignorant people.

A computer receives the scan of the original coin, then a computer-controlled engraver engraves the image into the die. I don't see how a die crack would be any harder to reproduce than any other raised device. To the computer, it would be no different than a vine, branch, or any other similarly shaped line.

Apparently, NGC either forgot to send their check, or failed to show up at the show. They got left out of the report entirely.
And, what is the story with the guy with the cello case? Did he entertain the show attendees?
PS - Glad Rich was ok. He needs to keep some snacks and water on hand from now on.

That is the very rare dime that was created when FDR temporarily gave up smoking for a short time and took up chewing tobacco.
 

These have always looked like scared little ghosts to me:
 

These have always looked like scared little ghosts to me:
 

I notice that the designer's initials are gone, as well. That die endured some pretty heavy polishing.
Question for Lincoln cent collectors: Does a coin have to be missing initials and missing upper walls to be considered a "floating roof?" Or, is it just the roof that matters, even if some of the initials remain?

I notice that the designer's initials are gone, as well. That die endured some pretty heavy polishing.
Question for Lincoln cent collectors: Does a coin have to be missing initials and missing upper walls to be considered a "floating roof?" Or, is it just the roof that matters, even if some of the initials remain?

Sorry, but this is not an error coin. It has been damaged after leaving the mint. 
Welcome to the forum. Sorry that your first bit of news turned out to be bad news. Keep looking, though. You never know what you might find. 

Sorry, but this is not an error coin. It has been damaged after leaving the mint. 
Welcome to the forum. Sorry that your first bit of news turned out to be bad news. Keep looking, though. You never know what you might find. 

These have always looked like scared little ghosts to me:
 

These have always looked like scared little ghosts to me:
 

These have always looked like scared little ghosts to me: