97 Nickel with unusually “steps” on obverse edge.

[Tuebits]

Hi again,

Please take a look at these photos of what looks like steps under the word states. They don’t appear to affect the lettering, as I’d think machine doubling would do. The die is well worn as you can see.

Tuebits

[diamond]

They're not steps, that's for sure. Steps aren't curved. They appear to be some form of die damage, although it's a form I haven't seen before.

[wavysteps]

I have seen similar concentric lines on Lincoln cents and the general thought is that it may have been caused by the finishing lathe. Generally, these lines are polished off in the final steps of the die making process, however, a portion may have been missed in this example.

Your die state is approaching VLDS on this coin and to confirm the above to be a true statement, we would need to see a EDS coin with the same effect.

Other than that, it is die damage as Mike said, with the cause unknown.

BJ Neff

[diamond]

Although they bear a superficial similarity to concentric lathe marks, I don't think that's what these are. Their radius of curvature does not match that of the coin -- it's too great.