If you have a Roosevelt dime that looks thinner and weighs less than a standard issue dime, it warrants a closer look. Assess whether your dime also exhibits an irregular rim with areas that resemble a trench; these unusual features indicate an error coin, such as a dime missing a clad layer.
What is a Clad Coin?
When the United States Mint moved away from 90% silver and 10% copper coinage in 1965, it implemented a clad coin composition. Dimes issued since 1965 have been composed of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel. These are made from two layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel bonded to a pure copper core.
What is a Missing Clad Layer Error?
A dime that fits the descriptions above might be missing part or all of its outer clad layer, which consists of a copper-nickel alloy bonded to a copper core. This missing layer could explain why the dime appears thinner and lighter than usual, and why the rim has an uneven, trench-like appearance, further indicating a significant minting anomaly.
Understanding the Missing Clad Layer Error
Minting a coin involves multiple steps, each critical to producing a standard circulating coin. Clad coins like the dime are manufactured by bonding different metal layers together. A copper core is sandwiched between two outer layers of a copper-nickel alloy. The bonding process requires significant pressure and precision to fuse the clad and copper layers together.
Errors with cladding could occur if the pressure applied is insufficient, if the metal surfaces are not properly cleaned, or if contaminants are present. When the bonding is incomplete or faulty, these layers may not adhere as they should, leading to coins that are missing the outer clad layer in certain areas.
When a flawed planchet is struck with the coin design, the resulting coin may display the exposed copper core instead of the usual clad surface. This error can manifest in several distinct ways, including a noticeable color difference that makes the affected area appear copper-colored rather than the expected silvery finish. The coin might also feel lighter, have a thinner profile, and display an uneven or trench-like rim where the clad layer is absent, all contributing to a unique and collectible error coin.
Identifying Missing Clad Layer Error Coins
Identifying a missing clad layer error involves careful observation and specific tests:
Visual Inspection
Look closely at the coin’s surface. Areas missing the clad layer will appear copper-colored, often ranging from a brassy orange to a dark brown hue. The texture in these exposed areas might also differ from a clad coin’s usual smooth, silvery surface, providing a visual cue to the error. Additionally, the exposed copper core might give the coin a brassy or reddish tint, making the error more noticeable.
Weight Measurement
Coins with missing clad layers are typically lighter than standard coins. For instance, a dime usually weighs 2.27 grams, but a dime missing one of its clad layers might weigh around 1.8 grams. Using a precise scale can help you determine if your coin is lighter than it should be, which is a strong indicator of a missing clad layer. The reduced weight is due to the absence of the outer metal layer, which contributes to the coin’s overall mass.
Rim Examination
Inspect the coin’s rim closely. A coin with a missing clad layer may have an uneven rim, where the absence of the outer metal layer creates a noticeable gap or depression. This is especially evident in cases where the clad layer is missing from a significant portion of the coin. A trench-like appearance may occur because the outer layers are not properly bonded, creating irregularities along the edge.
Thickness Measurement
Another key characteristic of a missing clad layer error is a thinner coin profile. Using a caliper to measure the coin’s thickness can reveal if it is thinner than a standard dime. This reduction in thickness occurs because the missing clad layer reduces the overall volume of metal in the coin. A thinner coin is a clear indicator that a part of the expected material is missing.
Comparative Analysis
Comparing your suspected error coin side-by-side with a known standard coin of the same type and year can highlight differences in color, thickness, weight, and rim characteristics. This comparative approach is particularly useful in confirming whether the coin has indeed experienced a missing clad layer error. By directly comparing with a standard coin, you can more easily spot discrepancies that suggest a minting error.
Error coins with missing clad layers are intriguing and collectible minting errors. Their value primarily depends on the coin’s condition, the extent of the error, and market demand. To ensure authenticity and accurately assess the value of your coin, it is best to have it graded by one of the authoritative professional coin grading services.
