1964D 5C strike thru or gouge

[Shleppodella1]

I was looking on Error-Ref.com for this, I know it's nothing major just walking thru the minting processes to get a better understanding of it.
Is this a "blowhole" or a damaged planchet from when they rolled out to make blank planchets?

[MintErrors]

In my opinion, there are big differences between the three; blow hole, strike through and die gouge.

Die gouge is exactly what it says, a gouge on the surface of the working die. Since most devices ( ie; letters, numbers, building, animals, trees etc) are incused (sunk into the working die) most die gouges are associated with the flat field of the working die. With gouges sunk into the die as well, the end result is that what is sunk into the die should be raised on the coin. The working dies squeeze that planchet and anything that in sunk into the dies will be raised onto the coin.

The area appears to be sunk into the coin, not raised. One has to think about this logically a d ponder this question: how can you determine if this was done at the mint or could it have been done post mint by accident or by some one nefarious?

In most cases knowing each and every step of the minting process and where a condition can exist to develop an error is vital. But like Bob Piazza used to say here is and I paraphrase, "its at the mint, things happen".

I like the error encyclopedia a lot. Most of the conditions still exist, minus the new ones associated with single squeeze technology.

https://www.amazon.com/Error-Coin-Encyclopedia-Arnold-Margolis/dp/B004YL9WA0

You probably can find this book at a public library or some organization online that will allow "borrowing and reading" online. Other more modern books might do the same thing butvI have not ventured out to discover if other books educate on the minting process equal or better than the linked book above.

You have to take the clues which have been documented on error websites and the logical approach to come to an assessment. Its not an easy task when a coin has been in circulation.

Strike throughs are typically grease. The surface area is typically uneven, wavy or looks like damage in some cases. Strike throughs are typically easier to assess if the involve some of the devices. One can look at the area and hopefully determine if the area is indeed a strike through or, simply damage after the strike, which is typically post mint damage.

Looking at the area at the surface or flat field of the coin, there is an unusual looking mark that looks like an "equals sign" on the flat field at the base of the "T". The hole itself, look into the hole and see if it is shiny? Look to see if it has the same overall look of the entire surface of the obverse like the patina and any color. Is the hole filled with debris ? Is that debris also found trapped in any of the devices?

This area is not raised, so it probably is not a die gouge. Its probably not a " blow hole" since it is not a hole that goes deep enough nor all the way though the planchet or coin.

In most cases with circulated coins it can be a tough call via photos since it cannot be examined in hand. Most people wont admit it but in some cases its an educated guess or a S.W.A.G .

When a coin hits circulation, many people who asess coins become suspicious of post mint damage unless the coin shows a classic error. Most major errors probably wont fit into a paper roll as the tend to be off center or slightly larger than the normal coin of the same denomination.

It could be a lamination, but these should have a hint of some metal tearing or flaking. Laminations can happen at any time of the coins life if there is an area that is loose and undetected. A condition happens where the lamination gets exposed or it gets snagged and it removes part of the metal flake exposing the lamination.

Like anything else, some areas of damage can look like a bonafide error as well.

[Shleppodella1]

Thanks for the info Gary will look for the book.

[MintErrors]

Thanks for the info Gary will look for the book.

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Arnold was at an ANA convention around 1990 or 91 and gave a presentation or visual tour of the US Mint. Along the presentation he does show how some errors are created. Its about an hour long. Some of the photos shown are crude and dark, but back then they did the best they could. His crew had some floor access so some photos will show amazing close ups to help show potential issues or show the methods clearer.

https://archive.org/details/ArnoldMargolis1990ANAb