Part IV. Die Errors:

Die Deterioration/Deformation Errors:

Design Berms

Definition: A raised line or shelf that partly or completely encircles a design element.  The berm is usually associated with large central design elements, like busts and buildings.  Peripheral elements, like letters and numbers, are rarely affected. Unlike conventional forms of die deterioration doubling, the berm is clearly demarcated from the normal design.  Berms appear to develop quickly and prematurely, as there are seldom any other signs of die deterioration, such as flow lines and orange peel textures.

A sharply defined berm completely surrounds the bust of Elizabeth II in this 2017 British 1 pound coin.  Apart from a few “starburst” streaks at 1:00, there are no other signs of die deterioration.

The bull on the reverse face of this 1996 Irish 5 pence coin is partly surrounded by a berm.   The berm is best developed on the bull’s back and around its hindquarters.  Both faces of this coin also feature a raised ring just inside the design rim.  The ring is more strongly developed on the reverse.  These rings represent another, perhaps unrelated, die deformation error. Photos by Jeff Ylitalo.

In this 1962 Canadian cent, a patchily developed design berm extends out from the bust of Elizabeth II in the form of a low shelf.  The berm appears along the front and back of her neck, her mouth, and her hair ribbon.