Mystery silver coin ID help

[IowaRelic]

This thing is just gone. I’m hoping someone will recognize the ridges on the edge to help with an ID. Or maybe see something I don’t on see either side.

 

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[xr7ator]

Yep, that one has seen better days.... I can't help.

 

[A2coins]

That thing is toast does it look like a RR track coin can you make out any letters or anything or is it totally mashed. Very interesting

 

[IowaRelic]

That thing is toast does it look like a RR track coin can you make out any letters or anything or is it totally mashed. Very interesting

I can’t make out anything that I can put a finger on. Maybe the remnants of design here or there. The edge patter will be the key...

 

[nkellam22]

I see what I think is an 0 at the 10 o'clock position on the second pic

 

[Tony in SC]

I can't tell the size, but it is close to being a train track silver dime.

 

[IowaRelic]

It’s roughly the size of a quarter. It’s about 1/3 as thick.

 

[GoldieLocks]

I am guessing it is a quarter or a silver dollar if they, too had the ridges in the edges.

 

[Truth]

What is it the size more of a dime, quarter, nickel half dollar?

 

[IowaRelic]

What is it the size more of a dime, quarter, nickel half dollar?

Quarter size 1/3 as thick

 

[HuntinDog]

It looks like a 1942 over 41 merc.... or could be 1916d

JK but I would say it was a dime and someone hammered it out flat for some reason.

 

[Truth]

Quarter size 1/3 as thick

I must say this one’s got me stumped

 

[Tony in SC]

Keep in mid, when a coin is flattened either by hammering or on a RR track, the diameter of the coin will increase. It may also be a foriegn coin. It may not even be a coin but it has a reeded edge?

 

[DCMatt]

I worked on this for a while yesterday. I can't make out a single detail with any surety - which surprises me. I seen any number of slick and/or toasty coins ID'd on this forum. There is always some definitive mark.

I played around with the pictures (well done except no size reference) in photo shop to try to bring out some detail. At one point my teenage son peeked over my should and asked, "Is that a moon rock?"

Not a moon rock but still just as mysterious...

 

[IowaRelic]

Well I can just about rule out a rail car flattened dime. There is detail left on all the pics of those. Also they do not flatten out to this extent. It literally appears to have been sledge hammered flat. Notice how it kept a relatively uniform thickness though? That’s another clue it wasn’t from a rail car. One side always appears much thinner than the others as it gets spit out almost instantly by the caster. . I flattened quite a few clad coins growing up, with trains and hammers. Never looked like this. The ridges aren’t very distorted vertically either.... strange.

 

[IowaRelic]

OHHHH I THINK I GOT IT!! being a rural homesite, 1900s, what if a kid put a silver dime through a set of gears? Like from an implement, pump, or mill? A broad faced gear tooth would flatten it out and maybe just press away the detail

 

[DCMatt]

OK. Here's my best guess.

Barber dime. Maybe 1900.

 

[IowaRelic]

OK. Here's my best guess.

Barber dime. Maybe 1900.

View attachment 1839007

Good work man. The only thing I would add is I bet it’s a merc. The barbers don’t have ridges on the edge

 

[DCMatt]

Good work man. The only thing I would add is I bet it’s a merc. The barbers don’t have ridges on the edge

Barber dimes DO have a reeded edge. I just pulled one out of my finds box and looked at it with a magnifying glass.



All US silver and gold coins have a reeded edge since the 1790's to prevent "skimming" of precious metal and then spending the coin at face value.

 

[Fourman110]

If it is toastanyway apply a bit of silver testing acid and let it sit in it for a bit. Rinse anf repeat until you see detail. When a coin is minted the deeper relief is hardened more than the higher relief so the acid will etch the softer material faster often leaving an image.