Expert: PAPAJACK - 4/6/2008

Question
I have a 1936 Lincoln penny that is missing the "1" and a raised line that lies 90 degrees to the position of the 1, across the place of the missing digit, joining up to the end of the start of the "9".  It almost looks like the 1 turned sideways!  Do you think this has any value?

Answer
Hello Rudy,                             

Without seeing the coin it is hard to say what happened.
The missing digit '1' is caused by the die recess being filled with metal debris as the coin is being struck. The recess in the die often fills up with metal shavings and grease causing a weak or missing design feature since the metal cannot flow into the recess in the die. The mint mark, a letter of the motto or the date digits are more apt to getting clogged.

Now if the digit '1' was filled during the strike and this debris could have been pressed onto the surface of the coin as it fell out of the die recess and left a mark as you describe.
I cannot say this is what happened but if the defect you see is shaped just like the missing digit it is a possibility.

As for value it would have to be seen by a coin dealer to decide how this defect may have happened. The price would not be high for an error like this, if done at the mint since it is a mechanical error not a die error.

If the raised line is caused by a die crack or made after minting it is just an oddity and only sells as a novelty item to anyone who will pay for it. (Maybe a dollar)

There is no set price list for error coins. But they sell to error collectors who decide what they will pay for them, not coin collectors.  For these types of errors it will usually be less than five dollars.  

If you want give me the nearest large Cities, zip code and telephone area codes I will refer you to an expert in your area.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack