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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Is this a die crack? And do they have value?

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Expert: - 10/23/2009


Question

die crack?
First off, I'd like to thank you for answering all of my questions.

So I've been rummaging through this jug of coins I have, and have been coming across a few things that look to be errors, this being one of them. Is this a die crack? I can't tell if the crack is raised or lowered.

Answer
Hi Kyle:

I took your photo, saved it to my computer and enlarged it. It appears to be lowered, So, what it appears to me from your photo is to be a small struck through. The mint uses wire brushes to remove gunk or residue from the die chamber and press areas. This may have been what was on the surface of your blank when it was struck.

Die cracks are raised on the coin surface, and incuse, or lowered (like the lettering) on the die surface.

I'm going to list a couple of links for you. Two on error types and values, the other on a national error club you may be interested in.

http://www.coinsite.com/html/userrorprices.asp

http://www.errorsoncoins.com/

http://www.conecaonline.org/

As a small struck through, your coin would be worth approximately $1 to $2 to an interested collector. The larger the struck through, the higher the value. A coin with half the surface struck through cloth could bring up to $100 or more.

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.

    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThanks for the prompt response!


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Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

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