Hi I’ve just got started looking at coins and I don’t even know where to start with this one.
When I first looked at it I assumed it was just beat up but then I thought the L in Liberty looks like it’s on the rim. When I looked closer it looks like the letter “L” is not fully there but merely remnants and the “I” looks more like a blob when examined closely. It seems like more damage would show around these letters if they was simple everyday damage.
Really I have two questions, fist, would someone experienced walk through their thought process on evaluating something like this or if it’s just something not worth looking at because of the condition?
Second, beyond rarity and value I’m fascinated by the likely causes of these deeper gouges. Seems like a lot of force would be required for some of these and I just can’t come up with reasonable explanations on how coins (not just this coin) get damaged like this in everyday life. Did someone beat it with a hammer? Run over it with some type of steel wheeled vehicle? Washing machine with rocks? I can’t see this happening in someone’s pocket or in normal daily transactions. General wear I get but this seems next level.
If there is an area that a more detailed picture would be useful let me know and I’ll get it uploaded
Thanks