1942D Wheat Cent Error or Damage? RPM?

[searching4errors]

Here's another Wheat Cent which I'm not sure if it's an error or damage after the minting process. As you can see from the pics, the dug out area appears to be under the 1 and the error/damage appears to move underneath the top edge of the 9 and above the very top of the 4 and 2. Unfortunately I didn't get a pic of the reverse but there is no visible damage to the Reverse. Does the mint mark appear to be a RPM? I can take more pics if it would help, just let me know. What is your opion? I'd be interested in hearing any comments. Thanks again! Fran

[wavysteps]

This is a fairly occurrence on early Lincoln cents. It is called a lamination peel. This happens when a portion of the layered copper pulls off the planchet, exposing an inner layer.

BJ Neff

[searching4errors]

Thanks BJ. That's the first coin I've had where the lamination was so deep and broad. Does this increase or decrease the value at all? Guess it would be hard to decrease the value of a cent, wouldn't it? Thanks! Fran

[wavysteps]

There is some interest in lamination peels and the premium is generally modest for coins of this type.

BJ Neff

[searching4errors]

BJ, you didn't mention the mint mark in your first reply. Does it look doubled to you? Do RPMs always show a notch where they're doubled or are they sometimes just much thicker than the norm? Thanks again!

There is some interest in lamination peels and the premium is generally modest for coins of this type.

BJ Neff

[wavysteps]

It is very hard to tell if that is a RPM.

The majority of RPMs do have notching, with the exception of those who have wide spreads. In later die states, it may be hard to see that notching, however, we can go by the actual position of the mint mark. Generally that is not done though (using an overall to confirm a RPM in late die states) for LDS RPMs are on the bottom of the wrung as far as value. Some LDS rpms do break this rule and are more valued than earlier die states, but this is very rare.

BJ Neff

[searching4errors]

Thank you BJ for your detailed explanation. If a mintmark of the RPM dating era is thick and has a little shift one way or another, does this indicate anything in particular such as when or how it occurred and if it is a true RPM? Thanks for letting me pick your brain. I do appreciate it. Have a good and safe holiday weekend. Fran

It is very hard to tell if that is a RPM.

The majority of RPMs do have notching, with the exception of those who have wide spreads. In later die states, it may be hard to see that notching, however, we can go by the actual position of the mint mark. Generally that is not done though (using an overall to confirm a RPM in late die states) for LDS RPMs are on the bottom of the wrung as far as value. Some LDS rpms do break this rule and are more valued than earlier die states, but this is very rare.

BJ Neff

[wavysteps]

We have to remember that the mint marks were hand punched into the working dies. Even the slightest twist of the punch when it is tapped will be seen as extra thickness in one part or another of the mint mark itself. This was not so detectable until the large styled mint mark which began in 1984. That was when we saw slight rotations, slides on the same punched mark and even a few RPMs. Of course, that all stopped in 1990.

BJ Neff