2000 P VA 25c Anomalies

[russellhome]

Searching state quarters, I always identify the center of the reverse design and check for possible doubling (Class 8 - tilted hub). Some designs have nothing going on at the center - and therefore have little chance of having class 8 doubled die varieties. But a few designs - having both field and high releif elements at the center -- are strong candidates for class 8 doubled dies.

The center of the design on the 2000 Virginia 25c is right where the corners of two sails and a mast post meet. This is one design I always check closely. A few years ago - I found a raised element between the sails near the center. I sent it to Crawford and he said it was most likely a die chip. Today I found another raised element between the sails. Again - it is probably a die chip. But being at the center of the design, I wonder if it might be a doubled portion of a sail.

Here is the one I found today...



Here is the normal design...



Here is the one I found a few years ago...



If class 8 doubled dies exist on the VA quarter reverse, it might just look like a die chip - and there may be no way to know for sure. Any thoughts?

[mustbebob]

The one Billy Crawford said was a die chip is exactly that. Since you showed that pic, it makes me believe that the newer anomaly might be a die crack that led to that chip. Can you check to see if both of those coins have the same markers? If they do, then I believe it is simply an earlier die state of the coin you sent Billy to look at.

[russellhome]

They are different dies (at least the obverses are). I couldn't find anything to compare on the reverse (that coin in the lower photo is pretty beat up) -- but the obverse of the coin shown at the top has clear markers that don't appear on the coin shown at the bottom. I do see what you see -- that top anomaly could very well be an earlier stage of a die chip like one shown at the bottom. I just don't think it is the case with this pair of quarters.

The coin shown at the top has more than just a die crack. The area above the dark line is raised. It most likely is another chip - but it is tough to tell for sure. Looks like that may be a weak spot on this Virginia design. Too bad it happens at the exact location you'd expect a DDR to occur.

[mustbebob]

I would tend to agree that it is a die crack on the top coin also. I tried to identify anything in the area around it that would show that shape, and without some substantial rotation, I just don't see it.
Since I saw your pics yesterday, I went through about 400 P and D mint Virginia quarters to see if I could find anything in that area. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything on any of them.