I searched the forums for an answer to my question but didn't find anything. I can imagine it can get very tedious to answer the same question over and over so I hope I'm not repeating here. I work as a cashier at a busy store so I get to search through tons of coins. I'm new to collecting but I have been really enjoying myself so far. Great way to keep the brain busy Anyway, I came across this penny and thought it was interesting. The outside rim is very high, you can really feel it when you run your finger over it. The back looks weak to my untrained eye too. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!
The first thing that comes to mind is a circulated proof, but I'm not sure. Maybe someone else will come along who is able to tell you more.
That's actually a third die and it's not always fitted perfectly to the coin. Note the Presidential Dollars and the edge inscriptions on those dies. It's referred to as the collar die. And Blaubart, that's a Denver Mint.
Can you point me in a direction for researching what "third die" means? How does one know if it's valuable or not? And I'm not talking retirement coin, but if a coin is worth keeping or should be thrown back out into circulation.
mmm yea, no. It's not that rare and not really worth any premium. I have considered, just for the fun of it, putting together an album of high rim 1c and 5c just for something different, but its one of those probably never happen ideas. Still, it's fun to catch things like that. Sometimes I just stash them away for my own curiosity.
It is a 1978-D. Proof coins are struck at the San Francisco (S) Mint, not Denver (D). So we can rule out a circulated Proof.
The edge lettering on Presidential Dollars is not imparted by the collar die. The coins are struck using a smooth collar and then (in a completely different step) the coins are run through an edge-lettering machine. [The edge lettering on Proof Presidential Dollars is imparted by the collar die but that collar is segmented so the coins can be ejected after being struck.)
There's really not much to research. The collar is thought of as a third die as it's capable of taking numbers or letters or reeding or design elements, either on the rim or on the edge. Basically that's all you need to know, unless you're writing a book or something. Listen to this guy, he's honest. According to my wife, at least, I'm half-honest.
Thanks to everyone for the input. I have been paying closer attention to the 1973 pennies I see come through my register and it seems this type of high rim is pretty common. I am coming across it very often. Maybe just something with that year. You all are so great for sharing your knowledge. I think I'm going to like this forum
