Coin Error ???

Mine Shaft

Hero Member
Apr 11, 2017
929
1,153
Fontana, California
Detector(s) used
NA
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
Hi TN members i have been going through my pennies looking for error's. I came across this 1986 D and noticed something around the D it starts at the top right and continues around to the bottom left. I did talk to a coin dealer and he mentioned some coin's have little spatter on them but this does not look like spatter. Thanks in advance for any input.
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20230411_170436032.jpg
    PXL_20230411_170436032.jpg
    655 KB · Views: 69
  • PXL_20230411_171427573.jpg
    PXL_20230411_171427573.jpg
    574.4 KB · Views: 63
  • PXL_20230412_003407889.jpg
    PXL_20230412_003407889.jpg
    591.7 KB · Views: 60

Emil W

Sr. Member
Nov 4, 2021
476
1,090
Central New Jersey
Detector(s) used
Deus 2
Deus
Deus Lite
Garrett Apex
Garrett Pinpointer
BH Discovery 2200
BH Pioneer EX
White's Coinmaster 6000D (have had for decades)
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Appears to be what's commonly called a cud. These are error coins where a piece of the die breaks away leaving a chip in the die. When the coin is struck, metal is forced into the chip in the die resulting in a raised area. It's possible in the case of your coin that the die chipped when the D was stamped into the die. Google cud error coins for examples.
 

Emil W

Sr. Member
Nov 4, 2021
476
1,090
Central New Jersey
Detector(s) used
Deus 2
Deus
Deus Lite
Garrett Apex
Garrett Pinpointer
BH Discovery 2200
BH Pioneer EX
White's Coinmaster 6000D (have had for decades)
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Assuming it actually is a cud, minor ones like yours are generally worth very little, maybe a few dollars. Larger one or ones with interesting shapes can be worth more.

One sold at Heritage Auctions a couple years ago for a few thousand but it was extremely rare since not only did it have a large cud on the front, it also had the piece of the die that broke off permanently embedder on the the other side, making it unique.
 

galenrog

Bronze Member
Feb 19, 2006
2,020
2,209
Strictly speaking, a cud is a die break affecting the edge of a coin. What you have appears to be either a die gouge or an internal die break. Could be either, based on the images.

Yes, premiums are to be had with some collectors. How much? Depends what a buyer is willing to pay. Collectors can be a fickle lot.

Time for more coffee.
 

l.cutler

Silver Member
Dec 2, 2006
2,671
2,017
NEPA
Detector(s) used
Tejon, Cibola, T2
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I wouldn't rule out plain old zinc corrosion under the copper plating. The bottom of the mintmark is one of the most common spots for split plating which allows corrosion to start. There are a couple other spots of zinc rot on the coin.
 

galenrog

Bronze Member
Feb 19, 2006
2,020
2,209
I may have jumped the gun on this. If so, you all have my apologies. Looking more closely at the images, it may simply be zinc rot under copper plating. More than one area of the coin, as I now see this this coin, has raised spots. And one spot in particular seems to have visible zinc, which can persuade me to change my opinion.

Thank for pointing this out, moving the images from my phone to a 75 inch screen helped, too.

Additionally, I am reminded of a trick that does not always work. Take a toothpick and press raised area on zinc pennies. If the raised area gives in any way, zinc is oxidizing under the copper. If not, the coin deserves a second look.

Time for more coffee.
 

cudamark

Gold Member
Top Banner Poster
Mar 16, 2011
13,241
14,623
San Diego
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
3
Detector(s) used
XP Deus 2, Equinox 800/900, Fisher Impulse AQ, E-Trac, 3 Excal 1000's, White's TM808, VibraProbe, 15" NEL Attack, Mi6, Steath 920ix and 720i scoops, TRX, etc....
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
At this point, I don't even consider looking at zinc cents for errors. They're all errors in my book. We should be ashamed for letting our government get away with making such junk.
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Top