1985 Lincoln Memorial Cent Errors

[searching4errors]

1985 Lincoln Memorial Cent extra metal in the form of a third banister (in two pieces) to the far upper right steps. There is a filled die crack which runs from the bottom of the steps, toward the center, on the right side that extends through the top right leg of the "N" in CENT to the rim edge. There is also a smaller filled die crack from the bottom right corner of the steps across the rim on the same side. There is also something going on with the rim on the obverse where the right lower rim seems to almost disappear as you can see in pic. 2 and on the reverse, pic. 4, the lettering "IN GOD WE TRUST" is all the way to the rim while "ONE CENT" is away from the bottom rim.

Can anyone explain what type of errors these are and what caused them? Is the coin worth more than face value? Thanks for your input.

[wavysteps]

What you have is a mild case of MAD (mis-aligned dies) first of all, which is fairly common, especially with the Lincoln cent.

From the looks of the reverse, it appears to be a die crack. The die state appears to be LDS to VLDS so with that age, die cracks do begin to get rather large and replacement of that particular die is imminent.

As to value, I am sure that it would interest some who do collect die cracks.

BJ Neff

[searching4errors]

Thanks BJ for your reply,

I took another close-up pic of the coin, which I am attaching for your viewing, and the die crack shows much more clearly. I don't understand how a die crack could duplicate a device such as this one has. Do you have any explanation as to how this is possible? Your assistance is always appreciated.
Thanks!
Fran

[wavysteps]

Die cracks can take on many interesting forms and at times even look similar to a design element. A great example is the 1980-D Lincoln cent with supposed extra "S" mint mark. After years of being listed as an extra mint mark, recent analysis showed that it was a series of die gouges that formed the "S".

Looking at your posted coin, the die crack is positioned in a fairly common place, from the rim to the corner of the Memorial building base (either left or right). Other common spots are the cornice corner on the roof corner fro die cracks to start (sometimes called "lightening strikes").

Hope that this helps.

BJ Neff

[searching4errors]

1985 Lincoln Memorial Cent Errors

Hello BJ...

Yes, your information has been very enlightening. If I retain only half of the facts presented on this forum, I'll be happy. So basically, this is an unusual shaped die chip, not a cud, right? Thank you!
Fran

[wavysteps]

Hi Fran - Generally speaking, a "CUD" is a die break that is located somewhere on the rim and travelers inward. When a die break occurs in the areas away from the rim then it is referred to as a die chip, die break, retained die break and such. If you will, take a look at the mint error image gallery and the 1989 Lincoln cent with large die break; that is a "CUD".

BJ Neff