1974 S cent - Date over Date?

[QaboutC]

I am going through hundreds of pennies I've had for over 50 years. To me, the date on this 1974 S cent looks like it's laid down over another date or lettering. I can't find a corresponding error. I know that damage can create optical illusions but this keeps looking like a date over date. The mint mark appears doubled, too, but I don't see any north or south movement. Thoughts?

[lionmc13]

The full date was added to the master die starting in 1909, so you won't find over dates from then on. It looks like a die chip at the top of the 9, but I could be wrong. Thanks for sharing.

[MintErrors]

I am going through hundreds of pennies I've had for over 50 years. To me, the date on this 1974 S cent looks like it's laid down over another date or lettering. I can't find a corresponding error. I know that damage can create optical illusions but this keeps looking like a date over date. The mint mark appears doubled, too, but I don't see any north or south movement. Thoughts?

---

---

In my opinion, working dies wear down especially when its metal on metal. Metal flow can sometimes escape between the die and the planchet when the planchet is squeezed by the working dies. It could very well be die deterioration, aka a worn die. The 9 and 7 in the date dont mirror the look of a doubled date or double strike, they appear to be irregular random shapes. Plus the doubling is not evident anywhere else.

Mint marks arent related to doubled working dies as the mint marks are added after the the working dies are made. Sure prior to 1996, the mint could have made a doubled die with an RPM but those are relatively scarce.