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I found a 1917 quarter with some very interesting features that appear beneath the numbers of the date. These features are raised, integrated seamlessly into the design, and appear impossible to have been added post mint. There are no tool marks or other evidence of alteration anywhere, on either side of the coin.
One of the most prominent of the three features is an inverted, upper case “S”. The upper curl of this intersects with the left side of the first “1” in the date. The lower curl is of special interest as it appears very close to the coin rim, where a protected band of luster runs through it unbroken.
To the right of the “S” is an equally prominent, upper case “C” that intersects with the left side of the “9” in the date. To the right of this is a lower case “O” that intersects with the right side of the “9” in the date. All three characteristics are equal in depth to the numbers of the date.
It is only thanks to the high resolution imaging provided by NGC that an additional four softer features also became visible. The first is an additional matching inverted “S” that appears just to the left of and precedes the prominent one. Since these letters are inverted, the best way to view them is with an image that is itself inverted. Just to the right of the prominent, lower case “O” is a small, slightly raised circle. This feature appears toward the top of the second “1” in the date. After extensive studying of NGC’s images, I eventually concluded that the right portion of these features spells out “Co.”, indicating remnants of a company hallmark.
The only explanation I could think of was that this was punched by the producer into the bar stock used to make the die. The reason these features are inverted is because they were meant to label the steel, not strike coins like it’s finished product. After failing to be properly removed, the leftover hallmark became incorporated into the finished design. Although incomplete, it had once read “USS Co.” and is the hallmark of the United States Steel Corporation.
After making the discovery, I inspected over 5,000 different examples of the estimated 25,000 surviving 1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter population. I was unsuccessful in finding another with this variety. The piece is currently in an NGC holder (Cert. № 6523123-002, Grade XF Details). They provided the high resolution imaging attached. I also have an email from the company that specifically designates the date as being completely original and not altered or damaged in any way. Additionally, I have an article posted by the company outlining how procedure dictates that coins with altered or damaged dates are ineligible for grading or even holdering, and are returned raw to the customer.
I was hoping that someone in the organization would be able to assist me in getting it recognized as a variety so it can be returned to NGC and attributed. Thank you for your time and consideration!
One of the most prominent of the three features is an inverted, upper case “S”. The upper curl of this intersects with the left side of the first “1” in the date. The lower curl is of special interest as it appears very close to the coin rim, where a protected band of luster runs through it unbroken.
To the right of the “S” is an equally prominent, upper case “C” that intersects with the left side of the “9” in the date. To the right of this is a lower case “O” that intersects with the right side of the “9” in the date. All three characteristics are equal in depth to the numbers of the date.
It is only thanks to the high resolution imaging provided by NGC that an additional four softer features also became visible. The first is an additional matching inverted “S” that appears just to the left of and precedes the prominent one. Since these letters are inverted, the best way to view them is with an image that is itself inverted. Just to the right of the prominent, lower case “O” is a small, slightly raised circle. This feature appears toward the top of the second “1” in the date. After extensive studying of NGC’s images, I eventually concluded that the right portion of these features spells out “Co.”, indicating remnants of a company hallmark.
The only explanation I could think of was that this was punched by the producer into the bar stock used to make the die. The reason these features are inverted is because they were meant to label the steel, not strike coins like it’s finished product. After failing to be properly removed, the leftover hallmark became incorporated into the finished design. Although incomplete, it had once read “USS Co.” and is the hallmark of the United States Steel Corporation.
After making the discovery, I inspected over 5,000 different examples of the estimated 25,000 surviving 1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter population. I was unsuccessful in finding another with this variety. The piece is currently in an NGC holder (Cert. № 6523123-002, Grade XF Details). They provided the high resolution imaging attached. I also have an email from the company that specifically designates the date as being completely original and not altered or damaged in any way. Additionally, I have an article posted by the company outlining how procedure dictates that coins with altered or damaged dates are ineligible for grading or even holdering, and are returned raw to the customer.
I was hoping that someone in the organization would be able to assist me in getting it recognized as a variety so it can be returned to NGC and attributed. Thank you for your time and consideration!
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