1972 D LMC Phantom Jacket Lapel/Tie/Vest Error Strike

[searching4errors]

Hi again everyone...

I have a 1972 D Lincoln Memorial Cent which has a strike (I think) error on the front of Lincoln's jacket lapel/tie/vest area which I call the Phantom strike error or is it a die error? Is this very common and is it caused by a filled die? If not, what caused it? Thanks in advance for information.
Fran

[diamond]

It's intentional die abrasion (die polishing). The die was abraded to remove superficial damage, like clash marks. Cents between 1972 and 1974 show especially heavy abrasion from overzealous mint technicians. Intentional die abrasion is quite common.

[searching4errors]

Thanks for your reply Mike. I thought surely I'd found something unusual out of all the copper cents that I've collected. I've never run across one quite like this one. How can one tell that the abrasion is intentional rather than normal die wear?

Thanks again Mike
Fran

[diamond]

Intentional die abrasion will often show fine, raised lines running in numerous directions. But even if the lines are not apparent, you'll find that low-lying parts of the design are missing and other parts of the design are attenuated (thinned). Die wear shows none of this.

[searching4errors]

Thanks once again, Mike. I'll check more closely on questionable coins to see if I can detect these marks.

Fran