Two odd Lincolns

[Dan O]

I have a pair of error Lincoln cents that I would invite you experts to comment upon. I'm sorry I don't have higher rez photos. Don't have the equipment. But the errors are pretty obvious. The first is a 1975 P that is the size of a dime. In light of the weird wear patterns and the relatively recent mintage, it seems to me it was born this way. Is this particularly unusual? The second is a 1956-D with obvious strangeness about the rim. The obverse is slightly concave in the central area and the reverse slightly convex (you can see the excess wear on "D S" of "United States"). The outer edge has a bicycle wheel quality, in places exactly like a bike wheel without a tire, concave and curved. Sorry if any of this is obvious or old hat to some of you, but I'm no expert!

[PNWMAKES]

What does the 1975 weigh?

[Dan O]

What does the 1975 weigh?

I'll have to take it to a coin dealer to find that out. I don't have immediate access to that sort of equipment. What is at stake with the weight?

[PNWMAKES]

You said it was small like the size of a dime. So was curious what it weight is compared to a normal 1975 LMC

[Dan O]

You said it was small like the size of a dime. So was curious what it weight is compared to a normal 1975 LMC

It's identical in size to a dime. I'll get it weighed and get back to y'all. By the way, I can't see double images or anything like that on the coin.

[MintErrors]

First do not be surprised to get an email about posting more than one coin per thread. It's in the CONECA forum protocols, that says one coin per thread to cut down the confusion and makes searching the website easier. I am only a CONECA state rep, but a moderator may come in and remind you. I am just letting you know for future posts.

The photos are too dark and fuzzy for me to come up with an opinion. I don't like to assume.

Scales can be bought off amazon that offer hundredths of a gram for less than 20 bucks shipped to my office. My caliper bought off amazon was priced about the same.

If these coins have circulation wear, i always first wonder what outside issue may have been introduced to the coin. I look at the issue being presented versus the wear on the coin. If the issue is stronger and more prevalent than the coin, the coin had the issue happen after it left the mint, since the issue appears newer. That means the coin was in circulation for a while got damaged after it left the mint.

It is absolute difficult to know what happens to some of these coins because there are millions of ways they could be damaged outside the mint.

As far as the wrong size coin, make sure to size it up against another Lincoln cent. Lay each coin side by side and see if one is higher. Then put them on top of each other and have a look all the way around, pick them up stacked and see if the rim on one is thinner anywhere around the coin.

[mustbebob]

I think Gary addressed the more important issues, so I will not repeat them.
I am not sure about the 1975 cent. It definitely is not an issue from the mint though. I suspect it was ground down, maybe to be used in a vending machine. Getting the weight should help with the analysis of this one.
The 1956D looks like it was in a bezel at one time. I have seen many of them that look like this once removed from the bezel.

[Dan O]

Thanks to both of you. That is all helpful. Sorry for the breach of TOS (two coins in one post); Guess I missed that one!