GBrad Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 Hello all. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is over the tryptophan trance . Just curious as to what point a die crack coin becomes worth more than the face value of the coin. I have read somewhere in the past that “all” die cracks are deemed mint errors but not sure which ones would be considered collectibles. I’ve seen a lot of smaller die cracks, die chips, etc... on Lincoln’s but they (cracks) predominantly just come off the edge of the coin and do not travel very far. Found this one today and it’s by far the best one I have ever found. Just curious if there’s any value on such a well defined and long crack such as this one. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWB Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 The diagonal mark on the reverse is a scratch - possibly made with a knife blade. Die cracks follow weakness in a die's metal crystal structure and they are very, very rarely straight. bsshog40 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Bob Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 There will undoubtedly be those who read Mr. Burdette's reply, and say, "But, the line appears to be raised. Doesn't that mean it has to be caused by the die?" A scratch will displace, and therefore raise metal above the surface, which makes it appear to be a die issue, rather than a coin issue. I know that to be true, because I have intentionally scratched coins of many types, just to see the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBrad Posted November 29, 2020 Author Share Posted November 29, 2020 36 minutes ago, RWB said: The diagonal mark on the reverse is a scratch - possibly made with a knife blade. Die cracks follow weakness in a die's metal crystal structure and they are very, very rarely straight. Man..... I’m going to have to look closer at this one. Completely fooled me!! Thanks RWB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoghead515 Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 7 minutes ago, Just Bob said: There will undoubtedly be those who read Mr. Burdette's reply, and say, "But, the line appears to be raised. Doesn't that mean it has to be caused by the die?" A scratch will displace, and therefore raise metal above the surface, which makes it appear to be a die issue, rather than a coin issue. I know that to be true, because I have intentionally scratched coins of many types, just to see the results. What got me is it looks like its cut down into the rim of the coin at the top of the picture Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBrad Posted November 29, 2020 Author Share Posted November 29, 2020 6 minutes ago, Just Bob said: There will undoubtedly be those who read Mr. Burdette's reply, and say, "But, the line appears to be raised. Doesn't that mean it has to be caused by the die?" A scratch will displace, and therefore raise metal above the surface, which makes it appear to be a die issue, rather than a coin issue. I know that to be true, because I have intentionally scratched coins of many types, just to see the results. Thanks Just Bob. As I quoted RWB, this one fooled me for sure if that’s a scratch. No way I’m doubting either of you guys. Thanks for your lessons here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBrad Posted November 29, 2020 Author Share Posted November 29, 2020 1 minute ago, Hoghead515 said: What got me is it looks like its cut down into the rim of the coin at the top of the picture I do see that nick now from the pic I posted on the rim. Guess I should have pulled out my loupe on this one. It just looked to be an obviously apparent crack. Not with the coin right now but when I get back home I’ll check it out more thoroughly. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBrad Posted November 30, 2020 Author Share Posted November 30, 2020 Got home a little while ago and pulled this Lincoln out and took these pics. There’s no doubt this is a very fine scratch that caused the misinterpretation on my part. I never would have realized the extremely narrow “gouge” or scratch until I looked at it under much higher magnification. Excellent call and judgement on everyone’s part, thank you. I’m supplying these close up pics for educational purposes in the effort that it may help new collectors realize what the difference is between a die crack and a scratch. I definitely learned on this one. A good loupe is your best friend in determining a mint error from a coin error no doubt. Thanks! Hoghead515 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenstang Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 Great pictures Greg. Easy to see how the scratch has misplaced the metal forming a ridge on either side. GBrad 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Bob Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 Good pictures, good attitude. GBrad 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
