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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/RE: 1964 or 1969 little lincoln cent

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Expert: - 2/7/2010


Question

1964 or 1969( little)
Not too long ago, a couple of weeks , I asked you a question about a Lincoln memorial 1964 or 1969 cent that is smaller and thinner than a regular cent. Can't tell the year too clearly.I think it's a D mint

I got a response from you saying you could not answer the question without more information. You instructed me to tell you how much it weighed. ( It weighs 2.7 grams as opposed to a regular 3.11 cent of the same year.)I had to buy a scale. Which I needed anyway.
You also asked me to send you a picture of the reverse side. I sent one of the obverse at that time. I am including both if I can download 2 pictures with this software. I hope it is fairly rare and of value. If you want to send me an email I can send both pictures to. I can do that .Thank you Sir.

Answer
Daniel:

Thanks for the follow-up question with the extra photo and added information. Unfortunately, the photo of the reverse of your coin was not too clear when I enlarged it, but I'll try and offer my opinion based on the data I have.

I believe your coin is a 1964D, and appears to be genuine, but altered after it left the mint. It appears to be a combination of having been ground down and "spooned". It also appears to have been caught in a counting device, as I observed a circular marking around the obverse of the coin. The weight indicates the metal removal. I'm guessing your coin in question is the same thickness as a "normal" cent. The "spooning" is a technique used to reduce the overall diameter of a coin. This was often done in prison by inmates who had nothing better to do. They used a spoon or similar instrument to repeatedly tap around the circumference of a coin to reduce the size. Over time, the coin could be turned into a ring. An interesting curiosity, but of no added numismatic value.

I've provided two links for you to see what type of non-error coins exist.
See link: http://coinauctionshelp.com/page15.html
See link: http://conecaonline.org/content/OhNo.htm

For examples of real errors see: http://coinauctionshelp.com/page14.html

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
    CommentDear Ron, thank you for your quick response to my question. The coin in question is "thinner" a mm or 2 than a regular coin. But I trust your knnowledge. I would recommend you highly. Thanks Dan.


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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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