1972 Kennedy hald dollar Die Adj?

[rlh7499]

Good morning,
I have this 72 Kennedy half and have looked but have not found another similar on various sites. I also looked it up in the glossary and it possibly looks like a die adjustment (both sides) but am not certain. The reeds also appear weak and there seems to be a small dent to the left of the L in liberty on obv side also.
Due to the distortion, I cannot find a mint mark on the obv side or the FG on rev. Can someone tell me if this is a possible die adjustment or a weak strike? Does a weak strike occur on both sides? I also thought too about a strike through like a cloth or something, but lean back towards die adj.. You help is greatly appreicated
1972 Kennedy hald die adj (3)small.jpg

[occnumis2021]

[MintErrors]

This coin has an unusual surface. It's on the obverse and reverse. It looks pitted. It may have been treated It an acid based bath or simply dunked in a glob of ketchup for a period of time. I cannot rule out that the coin was in the ground, and then harshly cleaned. Compare the patina or shiny layer look of other Kennedys and you may see that your coin is definitely different looking, in my opinion.

Whatever the issue it looks like post mint damage to me, because of that wavy, pitted look. It's a quite common indicator that a coin has been "environmentally damaged".

[MintErrors]

A great resource for error coins is:

https://www.error-ref.com/index-of-entries/

Happy hunting.

[rlh7499]

Oh wow, how does one rule out post mint damage? Did not know people could or would go to such extent, is that how a washed coin would look for future reference in my hunts?
I did go through your glossary after not finding others similar and thought it might be die adjustment never thinking it could be an acid or after mint effect .
Thank you!

[rlh7499]

Oh wow, how does one rule out post mint damage? Did not know people could or would go to such extent, is that how a washed coin would look for future reference in my hunts?
I did go through your glossary after not finding others similar and thought it might be die adjustment never thinking it could be an acid or after mint effect .
Thank you!

[rlh7499]

Hi and I am sorry - not sure why my reply is showing 3x, the system signed me out and asked me to sign back inagain but I didn't post it 3 x's.

[MintErrors]

Oh wow, how does one rule out post mint damage? Did not know people could or would go to such extent, is that how a washed coin would look for future reference in my hunts?
I did go through your glossary after not finding others similar and thought it might be die adjustment never thinking it could be an acid or after mint effect .
Thank you!

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In my opinion, knowing the minting process for the era helps alot. Post mint damage is probably the number one cause of most coins thought to be errors, when they are not. The pitting of the coin is not natural condition of the coin. Cleaned coins tend to take away that shiny halo style patina, leaving a dull finish.
On circulated coins, it become a bigger challenge to tell if it has been cleaned.
Honestly, the best way to tell if a coin has been cleaned takes experience over time. Some areas that are tougher to clean like in between numbers and letters or around them might indicate an issue, especially if the rest of the coin looks alot better.
The United States mint hasn't released many errors since 2002. It's getting harder to find an error coin that is going to be a bell ringer.

[rlh7499]

Thank you that helps!