Ron D. writes: I have found a coin. It is a 1984 D Dime. It is in very good condition, however, it is completely copper. I thought it might be a miscast coin, but in the numismatic field, I really don’t know. Could you possibly help me in identifying this coin? Thank you in advance.
Dimes, quarters and half dollars are made in a clad “sandwich”. The outer layers are .750 copper and .250 nickel bonded to a pure copper core. Occasionally, part of the strip that is used to cut coin blanks loses the outer layers. The reasons for this are many, but if gas or dirt comes in between the clad layer and the copper they won’t bond correctly.
Coins struck from these defective planchets are underweight but genuine. They classify as a lamination error and collectors will pay a premium of $6 and up for one like you have described.
