1953-D Supposed Error?

[greglax45]

Is this some sort of an error?
the Letters look fat.
What are your thoughts?

[wavysteps]

Hi Greglax45 - Welcome to the forum.

Now, for your question. It is hard to tell from your photos what is up. However, extra thickness on the peripheral lettering can be caused by a couple of things. The first and most common is coin counter damage (where the letters are flattened out by going through a coin counter numerous times) followed by machine doubling damage. There is one other possibility and that is it may be a doubled die.

I think in this situation, a hands on examination of the coin may provide the answers that you seek.

BJ Neff

[diamond]

The most common cause of thickened letters is die deterioration.

[greglax45]

Does this make the Cent's value go up? Thanks for the information Guys

[wavysteps]

In the case of worn dies, coin counter damage or machine doubling damage, no, the value will decrease. However, if it is a doubled die, then the value will increase according to the condition of the coin and the rarity of that die.

BJ Neff

[greglax45]

In this case, where the error is uncertain, is there someplave where i can send the cent to for somebody to grade it and check it out?

[foundinrolls]

In this case, I can tell you exactly what caused the damage and it is indeed damage.

The coin was caught inside one of the fins in a commercial clothes dryer. It tumbles with other coins and that flattens the surface of the letters and numerals and it imparts a very telltale look to the surface of the coin.

I've seen many of these.

On half dollars, a similar thing occurs as casinos that routinely clean the coins they use (yes, some clean them and then tumble them as a part of the process) are damaged in the same way. Occasionally you will see halves that have the reeding missing and the surface of the coin looks like it has thousands of tiny nicks. On those, the lettering and numbers are often flattened and spread.

I hope this helps.

Thanks,
Bill

[wavysteps]

Okay Bill, I have heard of "death by Coin Star", now I'll have to add "death by drying machine" to my repertoire.



An example of slot machine damage, this one on a doubled die.

BJ Neff

[greglax45]

Thanks for the information, but it looks like the D is filled. This coin is relatively clean and has no evidence of scratches, and bumps and bruises you could say. I know there is such thing as a filled mint letter, but this is really baffling me. I posted this on cointalk.org as well, but no one gave me a definite response.

[foundinrolls]

Thanks for the information, but it looks like the D is filled. This coin is relatively clean and has no evidence of scratches, and bumps and bruises you could say. I know there is such thing as a filled mint letter, but this is really baffling me. I posted this on cointalk.org as well, but no one gave me a definite response.

I have half a dozen of these that were taken right out of a clothes dryer by a friend that owns a laundromat. I have examples of nickels, dimes and quarters as well. The tumbling mixed in with other coins distorts the lettering and the numerals. Although you dont see the minute scratches any more as they have been obliterated by the tumbling and subsequent wear, there is really nothing baffling about the coin.