Part IV. Die Errors:

Die Damage:

Die rings (tiny rings, semicircles, crescents, and spirals)

Definition: Tiny rings, semicircles, crescents, and spirals that usually appear in the center of the coin or nearby. Their origin is a mystery and it’s likely that they have more than one cause.

Many rings are isolated, while others form concentric arrays. Size is somewhat variable, ranging from a fraction of a millimeter to almost 2 millimeters. Die rings can be smooth or have a rough appearance. They occur on all denominations from cent to quarter dollar. They can appear on either face, irrespective of whether that face was struck by the hammer or the anvil die.

Two offset crescents or semicircles overlap tip-to-tip to form a composite ring that encircles Lincoln’s statue on the reverse face. A number of reverse 2004 cent dies show similar rings or partial rings on the reverse face.

A single complete ring overlies Lincoln’s neck and jawline on this 1988 cent. Photo courtesy of Jason Cuvelier.

A concentric pair of relatively large, centrally-located, “spiky” die rings appears on the obverse face of this 2018 Lincoln cent.

This clearly defined, tiny die ring is surrounded by additional faint, closely-spaced concentric rings. This is one of many recent reverse nickel dies with rings in Monticello’s doorway. Many rings occur in isolation and most are identical in size to this one. Positions vary slightly but it seems all of them are slightly to the left of center. Dates range from 2012-P to 2015-P.
[2014-P in photo]

This 2012-P nickel features a relatively large, incomplete ring on the reverse face. Its large size, irregular margins, and coarse texture suggest it has a different origin from the small rings.

A centrally-located raised spiral appears on the obverse face of this 2010 cent. Photo courtesy of Richard Cooper.