First Submission To NGC

[Die Varieties]

A while back -- I came across a 1994 1c that exhibited a rotated reverse. While researching various Web sites on this error type, it was beginning to appear this particular 1994 cent error could have been caused by a loose die that was continually rotating. An article about the coin was published on the front cover of the May 10, 2005 issue of Numismatic News. That article generated a response from an NN reader out of NY who informed me he also had a 1994 cent with a rotated reverse. To make a long story shorter -- he sent me his coin, and after examining side-by-side with my specimen -- both were from the same exact pair of dies. His was rotated exactly 180 degrees (medal alignment) with mine rotated near 165 degrees give or take a few. Therefore -- we were able to definitively prove this particular rotated error was from a loose die.

 

I sent the coin in to NGC for grading and encapsulation along with a few others. This was my first ever submission to NGC. Since my speciality involves die varieties, the overwhelming majority of my coins are normally submitted to ANACS. Below is the result from NGC. All the coins in the submission, at least from my personal grading each coin prior to submission; came out either right on the grade or I was one grade point too low. All coins also had the correct variety or error attribution annotated on the holder insert.

 

I'm not advocating or trying to intentionally come across as a "poster boy" for NGC but only wanted to share with you my first experience with them. I was very pleased with NGC and their service and look forward to future submissions.

 

Though this 1994 1c rotated reverse is certainly not an earth-shattering major error type -- nonetheless, since it was retrieved out of circulation, the interesting background story, along with the detailed research to uncover a mystery; the coin holds a special meaning for me. The working together, the sharing of knowledge and experience is what really makes our hobby so special and so enjoyable -- no matter what you collect.

 

[michael]

a great interesting coin and ngc did a wonderful job with the slab and presentation

 

the white holder sets this full red superb gem coin off to perfection

[supertooth]

Congrats on a fine job! You must have a lot of patience to look through the modern coins? It is always neat to find an oddball coin---no matter what the error or variety. You are always tickled with yourself when you find one. For myself, I always wonder about how many that I must have missed over the years. But, like with everything else, you just strive to get better as you go along. Bob [supertooth]

[cpm9ball]

Nice story and nicer coin, Billy. Out of curiosity, how did you "come across" the coin?

 

Chris

[Die Varieties]

"Out of curiosity, how did you "come across" the coin?"

 

Chris -- I had recently visited one of my local banks to acquire some more circulated rolls of cents. This bank sees me at least a couple of times per week and all the tellers at this bank call me the "Penny Man." Thru the years I have shared my experiences with the tellers as well as provide them with interesting background stories as well as provided gifts to them such as the 1998 and 2000 1c Type II "Wide AM" reverse. Heck -- I have so many of them and on average will find 1 or 2 per $50. They enjoy finding out different things with coins since they see so much of it everyday. They inturn share with their kids and hopefully this will generate potential new collectors and YN's that we need in our hobby.

 

This one teller has my phone number to call me if anything is brought in that might be interesting. I got a phone call from the teller telling me a customer brought in about $35 worth of pennies. The customer told the teller she had been putting them in penny jars for quite a few years. After getting the call -- I headed up to the bank (lucky for me it's only about 3 miles away). I got the rolls and thanked the teller and headed back home. When searching, all the coins were dated prior to 1996 with some in the 70's and the majority being from the 80's. A lot of the coins were very nice and looked to never have circulated. Lo and behold -- the 1994 rotated reverse popped up! That's the story.

 

Actually -- for variety collectors like me who search a lot from banks, right now is the best time of the year for acquiring rolls from local banks. The reason is that many families take their vacations and in doing so usually dump any spare change they have been saving to the banks so they can have that little extra "mad money." And little ole me is there to be looking ...

[nwcs]

That is a great story!

[cpm9ball]

It truly is a great story, Billy, and it points out an often overlooked fact............get to know all of your bank's employees. It works for me, too!

 

Chris

[AlixTCat]

I have 1959 through 2004 cents in red condition. They ALL exhibit this die rotation. Should I submit them all to NGC? I thought that was just the way cents were made. Any advice? I'll post some pictures when I get home.

 

Jonathan

[Die Varieties]

"I have 1959 through 2004 cents in red condition. They ALL exhibit this die rotation."

 

AlixTCat -- I'm a little confused with your statement.

 

Coinage is struck from the U.S. Mint with what is termed as "coin alignment." This coin alignment is where the obverse and reverse working dies are initially installed into the press with the dies set at 180 degrees directly opposite to each other. This can be seen when we hold a coin with the obverse right side up with our forefinger and thumb at the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions and then rotate the obverse from top to bottom or vertically. The reverse will now be in normal orientation and right side up. However, on this 1994 Lincoln cent the reverse is approximately 165 degrees clockwise out of coin alignment with the obverse. When this 1994 cent is flipped vertically the reverse is almost totally upside down. It is almost in "medal alignment."

 

Conversely, hopefully not to make this confusing, Canadian coinage utilize what is known as "medal alignment." In this case, for example the Canadian cent when flipped horizontally or side-to-side (not vertically for U.S. coinage) from obverse to the reverse -- then their reverse will be in correct orientation and right side up.

 

The U.S. Mint implemented flat areas and sets on the dies and press to prevent accidental incorrect coin alignment, however, as we can see it still happens even on modern-day coinage, although much less in frequency. Some of the states quarters such as the 1999 Pennsylvania and Connecticut are known with 180 degree rotated reverses as well as other denominations. What is interesting about this error is that it can easily be missed if one is not paying attention. After all – at first glance, this 1994 Lincoln cent looks just like any other that could be in your pocket change.

 

Most rotated reverse errors are collectable in our hobby that exhibit at least 15 degrees or more out of coin alignment. The higher the degree out of rotation the more desirable the coin with usually the 90 and 180 degree examples being the most popular with collectors. Premiums for this type of error can vary widely depending on degree of rotation, grade of coin and denomination. A 2005 new Bison nickel with 180 degree rotated reverse would probably bring a very substantial premium.

 

It could be since I posted the obverse and reverse pics side-by-side this may have created confusion. Notice in the NGC holder reverse pic that the logo is at the bottom of the holder. One can see the reverse is almost upside down. A normal cent (along with other denominations) the reverse would appear in correct orientation and right side up if viewed with the NGC holder in this position.

[Weather11-migration]

"1998 and 2000 1c Type II "Wide AM" reverse. Heck -- I have so many of them and on average will find 1 or 2 per $50"

 

I've been looking and never found one of those! You must be lucky!!!

[Die Varieties]

"I've been looking and never found one of those! You must be lucky!!!"

 

I would say more on the lines of my being in the right general area of where a lot were released. Right now I'm over two tubes of them ranging from EF beat ups to Gem BU/Reds and all grades in between. However, there are a lot of other varieties that I have been searching for many, many years and not found that particular one yet but know of others who have found the one I wanted to find. Again -- it depends on the area you live in. Everything has a way of even itself out.

[Weather11-migration]

Can I have a beat up one? I'm also a YN.

[Die Varieties]

"Can I have a beat up one? I'm also a YN."

 

My pleasure. How about a BU/Red. I give these out to bank tellers as well as I set-up a display only table (I'm not a dealer) at our local coin show and give them out to YN's and kids to try and help promote an interest in our fun hobby.

 

You can e-mail me at: dievarieties@sc.rr.com

[AlixTCat]

No, I am not confused. What I am saying is that Memorial cents are ALL off nearly that much. At least all the ones I have. I noticed it recently. Also, the one posted is NOT 165 degrees off, it is about 15 degrees off. Did I misunderstand what you were saying?

 

Thanks for any input into why all my cents are off like 5 degrees.

 

 

Jonathan

[AlixTCat]

No, I am not confused. What I am saying is that Memorial cents are ALL off nearly that much. At least all the ones I have. I noticed it recently. Also, the one posted is NOT 165 degrees off, it is about 15 degrees off. Did I misunderstand what you were saying?

 

Thanks for any input into why all my cents are off like 5 degrees.

 

 

Jonathan

 

Yes, I WAS confused. I didn't see what he did with the slab. I was looking at it as if he flipped it horizontally and it was flipped vertically. Thanks for your info.

 

Jonathan

[Die Varieties]

I should have posted the image this way instead of side-by-side.

 

[Weather11-migration]

What are some of your best bank finds? It sounds like you go through many rolls of pennies. One time in a roll of nickles, i found 11 war nickles and like 10 1939s and the rest were before 1955 or so. I was really excited.

Other then that, I have only found the occasional wheat cent. Also tellers seem to be getting meaner and meaner. A couple days ago, a teller told me that he did not have any rolls of coins at all!!!! YEAH RIGHT, LIER!!!

[Die Varieties]

"What are some of your best bank finds?"

 

Hmmm ...

 

There has been quite a few finds during my years of searching circulated rolls from my local banks. I've come across the 1983 Major DDR four times, came across the 1972 1c Die#1 twice as well as most of the other '72 minor DDO's, still looking for the Die#4 which is the extremely rare one of the '72 DDO's. Back in late January 1995, I came across the 1995 DDO#1 about two weeks before it was published in Coin World and which was officially credited/discovered to Felix Dausilio. I had sent mine in to CW but was a little too late. If you have Cherrypickers' Guide, on page 132, I discovered the 1968-D 1c FS-027.4/CONECA 1-R-V. The discovery coin came right out of my pocket change. You will notice my name in the photo caption. I sold it at the FUN Show for $600. Not bad for a penny investment.

 

Plus all kinds of other doubled dies, RPM's and what nots. I firmly believe the 1969-S Major DDO#1 as well as the 1970-S 1c Major DDO#1 are out there in circulation waiting to be found. After all -- if one doesn't look -- then how could you ever find them?

 

Many have told me they do not have the time or patience to look at circulated coins. I can understand what they are saying -- however, no matter what one does in this hobby, no matter what way one collects -- time is always involved. It is always relevent. It's just that I spend my time searching and in quite a few cases -- has paid extremely well. It's like this -- if I go to the bank and spend $25 for a box of cents -- then when I'm done searching those rolls -- I still have $25. For me -- it's a win-win situation -- and more often than not -- I always seem to find something.

 

The bottom line is -- no matter how you collect or what you want to collect or how much you want to spend or not to spend -- always have fun!!! Isn't that what a hobby is all about?

[AlixTCat]

I should have posted the image this way instead of side-by-side.

 

 

Thanks! Some of us, well me, are rotationally challenged. ! Even now I have to get a cent out and flip it around to see what yours is doing. I have been collecting coins for 30+ years and the picture in the slab is what confused me. I would think you'd flip it left to right not top to bottom. This picture you posted helped my little brain figur it out. THanks!

 

 

Jonathan

[Weather11-migration]

thanks!!! came in the mail yesterday!!!

[Die Varieties]

"thanks!!! came in the mail yesterday!!!"

 

Your welcome.

[Bruceswar]

This is a great way to collect and you sound like your knowledge is vast and extensive.... I guess I would be one of the younger collectors on the forum. I have been collecting for 15 years now.. I am 22 now.. So I got in on a good age I think. I always check my pocket change. Not to long ago went to break open a roll of pennies for our business and noticed all were from the 70's and 60's mainly red... so I put them away. Coins is a great hobby to have and is one I am going to have for a lifetime and will bring me alot of fun.