Would you suggest sending this coin for grading? 1887 Indian Head Mint Error 0

[metalmaniac]

Not sure if the value of my 1887 Indian head would be worth sending off to be professionally graded... Appears to be off center possibly on both sides. I am a beginner coin collector, looking for suggestions..thanks

[J P M]

It looks like it fell ( or was placed) into a press for a larger coin die.

[James Zyskowski]

That’s very cool. To slab or not to slab. First time in awhile that I’m split down the middle but I’m leaning towards slab it. Thanks for posting pictures. 

[metalmaniac]

Thanks...I'm trying to figure out if it's an actual error at the mint or did someone tamper with it... I have no idea..

[Moxie15]

At this point I am not convinced it is a mint error.  We need to get more knowledgeable opinions, but it just does not look right for a double struck coin to me. 

[Coinbuf]

On 2/1/2022 at 5:38 AM, metalmaniac said:

Not sure if the value of my 1887 Indian head would be worth sending off to be professionally graded... Appears to be off center possibly on both sides. I am a beginner coin collector, looking for suggestions..thanks

Your coin is not struck off center, it has significant wear and with the rim worn down it may kind of look like an off center strike.  I suspect the rev was over struck after leaving the mint, by whom or with what I cannot say as the writing is incomplete.   Perhaps an attempt to make a merchet token that did not work, or even an attempt at making an "error" coin in order to deceive.

While we may never know the real reason your coin was overstruck on the rev I do not think it is a mint error.   In my opinion it would be a waste of money to send for grading but that is your choice to make.

[JKK]

I do not think that happened at the mint. I have a hard time imagining that a larger die saying MERCHwhatever hit it at the mint. If the US Mint contracted out to make some sort of merchant tokens, then theoretically, maybe. That I do not know.

[RWB]

Not a US Mint error. Worthless.

[“”]

I think this is interesting. What makes it look curious is the rims on the obverse of the coin. I would tend to think that a post mint strike on the reverse would also have some effect on the obverse.

IMO, I do not think it is worth slabbing other than to authenticate. I would go to ANACS and have them take a look see.

[metalmaniac]

What makes it interesting is under my microscope, the letter E is very similar in the word vent and the word Merc. I appreciate the feedback.

[metalmaniac]

I meant 'cent"

[Mohawk]

I'm with the others....I do not think it's an actual mint error.  I believe that whatever happened to your coin happened after it left the mint.