Introductions

[WardogHowling]

Hello, WardogHowling here, newly registered, but not a member yet. I started collecting coins (US and foreign), stamps, sports cards, comic books, etc. as a young man 35+ years ago and just recently got back into coin collecting when my son showed some interest while digging through my old stuff. We were sorting through pocket change that we got back at a McDonalds after lunch recently, and stumbled across this 2002 D Tennessee State quarter with some very odd features.

At first I thought it was post mint damage, it looks like it's been through the ringer and back again. Then I thought perhaps in was an occluded gas bubble that was stamped/flattened at the mint? However looking at it closer, I'm wondering if it was some sort of strike through/rotated die error? It appears like the top of Washingtons's head is in three locations, 2 on the obverse and again on the reverse, as all of the curved ridges are raised on the coin on both sides.

It also has a huge punch just under the D mint mark, that bears the resemblance of another D when zoomed in, and it almost goes all the way through the rear of the coin, you can easily see the bump on the reverse. I'm wondering with all the pitting if there was also a cladding issue?
We were watching you-tube videos from CoinHELPu, and he shared CONECA as a valuable website to use for error hunting information, so here we are. Any information is greatly appreciated. i've set is aside in a holder until we can figure out what is going on here.

[occnumis2021]

hey there. imo, there is no legit error there.it is possible to find legit errors with severe pmd but it is not common. i'd lean towards fire/heat damage which can cause coins to develop large "bubbles" that look like occluded gas except that occluded gas on the coins i saw had no other issues. fwiw

i'll share a cropped/enlarged pic for others to view.

welcome to the forum.

Untitled.jpg

[MintErrors]

When examining these coins, one has to remember that there were two dies that struck this coin, totally independent from each other.

This coin was struck normally as you can see all the details on the obverse and reverse.

The warning signs are that the coin is dented near AMERICA. There is a severe dent near the R in Dollar. There are two lines across Washington's face. There is a strong sense of smearing on the reverse, especially to the north, near the Bugle, I would say the movement was either west to east or vice versa.

The problem here is that there is a lot of damage on the highest part of the coin. When working dies are made, the images are sunk onto the dies so that they are risen onto the coin. The damage to the highest part of the coin means it would have been that severe at the deepest part of the die, which probably would have shattered the die.

This coin almost has that "pot metal" look to it. Sure as OCC stated, it could have been in a fire could have aided in this look, but more than likely the dents were done either before or after that.

The only intriguing part of all this is the area near Washington's face to his throat. Since this is in a holder and the camera focused on the holder and not the coin, the images are grainy/blurry enough so I cannot make out what went on there.

In my opinion, the gut instinct is post mint damage - done after it left the mint, and could be a potential victim of a "squeeze job" since there are areas that are extremely flat on both sides, with all most all of the details gone. IF this was a true error, it would have been taken out of circulation a long time ago, and would have been in much better shape.

The condition of the coin whether an error or not (but probably not) is sending this coin towards the "i'll pass on this one" .

[WardogHowling]

Thanks for the insight guys. I was on board with what appears to be the pmd issues, and the bullfrog bubble by the throat was throwing me off. I’ll pull it out of the holder and see if I can get some better pictures uploaded. Maybe that at least will provide some clarity and education for others. As stated, lots going on with this coin…. Cheers!

[WardogHowling]

Here's a little bit better picture.