Luxembourg 10 Cents 2009 error

[andyg]

I was recently sent this by a friend, looks to be a result of a grease filled die, the L of Letzebuerg has been nearly obliterated - are these types of errors common?
It's not something I've ever found on a UK coin.

[UK Decimal +]

Out of interest, any idea where it was minted?

Bill.

[BC Numismatics]

Bill,
  This Luxembourgish 10 Euro-Cents was struck at the Royal Dutch Mint in Utrecht.

The privy marks flanking the date is the clue.

Andy,that's a very nice pick-up.

Aidan.

[UK Decimal +]

Thanks for that.

Bill.

[Bimat]

Some additional information-the mintage is 4 million.

I have no idea about the rarity of the coin,but I think it is weakly struck,like most of the Indian coins,giving appearance of error coin.I'm sure a3v1 will give exact information.

Aditya

[Figleaf]

I would agree with Any. This looks like a filthy die. Small filth particles mix with oil, are pressed into cavities, where they form a sticky mass that attracts and holds more filth, getting harder with each strike cycle as fluids are pressed out. This is not rare; I have a similar case somewhere. If I can find it. I 'll post it.

Interesting to note that you haven't seen this in UK coins. No idea why this is so. Possible theories: 1) UK mint presses are slower, so there's less chance of this happening 2) UK minting procedures provide better cleaning. Maybe a) the presses make smaller runs or b) the cleaning process is integrated in the striking cycle or c) a superior cleaning agent.

Peter