1982 Lincoln cent struck on a split planchet???

[wavysteps]

At first glance, the coin appeared interesting, for through a lope it was hard to tell what was going on.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f292/Wavystep2003/PA040002.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f292/Wavystep2003/PA040003-1.jpg

The crack or split did not appear to be tool made and the coin itself did not appear to be out of round.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f292/Wavystep2003/PA040006.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f292/Wavystep2003/PA040007.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f292/Wavystep2003/PA040005-1.jpg

However, inconsistencies began to show that this split did not happen before the strike.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f292/Wavystep2003/PA040008copy.jpg

Under magnification, you can see tool marks that run into the STA of STATES. These marks would have been obliterated by the strike. Also, the hole on the P shows up partially in the crevice itself.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f292/Wavystep2003/PA040009copy.jpg

If this were not enough, columns # 9, 10, 11 and 12 show a ramped sloop down to the crack, again, something that I do not think would have occurred.

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this "error"?

BJ Neff

[Steven]

Just a thought BJ,
The first photo of the obverse shows damage to the rim near IN GOD WE as if it had been clamped in between something as well as the area below the split near the date.
My thoughts are that the metal has been bent back and forth causing the split to move across the coin and making stress marks to the metal that appear to be tool marks as well as flattening some portions of the metal moreso near the beginning of the split.

Then again I am just guessing here. Maybe a test of that theory????????

Steven

[diamond]

It's a genuine planchet error, something I occasionally refer to as a "ragged fissure". During rolling, the coin metal strip splits from tensile forces. The two facing beveled edges are typical of such fissures. The microscopic surface texture of the beveled edges is usually grainy in such errors. It results from the pulling-apart and fracturing of the metal crystallites. I don't think it likely that you're seeing tool marks; perhaps these are lines of stress.

[foundinrolls]

I agree with Mike, Not that he needs my agreement:-) but when you look at the reverse of the coin, you can see a weakness at the rim where the separation is that indicates that the coin was struck after the fissure occured.

[wavysteps]

I thank you all for your valued comments. The owner of the coin had some doublts, as I did, concerning its authenticity. I'll give him the happy news.

BJ Neff

[mustbebob]

This is very cool. I had never seen one that severe before. Very nice!

=BOB=

[THE PENNY MAN]

WOWSER'S this is a great coin, my mouth is watering from looking at that coin, I have not been that lucky to have found a coin like that. Did you get that from a BU roll?. Or from a circulated roll?. Keep up the great hunting.

Patrick

[wavysteps]

Hi Patrick - The owner found it in a mint bag of 1982.

BJ