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Radically Misaligned Die Clash

PART IV. Die Errors:

Die Clashes:

Radically Misaligned Die Clashes

Definition: A radically misaligned die clash is one that is produced by a hammer die with a huge horizontal misalignment and also a vertical misalignment (tilted die). Only the downward-tilted pole of the hammer die contacts the anvil die. Design transfer can occur on either die or both dies. The mark left on the hammer die by the anvil die generally consists of a curved impression of the edge of the field portion of the die and some adjacent letters. The clash marks are invariably light.

These peculiar clash marksare unlikely to be caused by a press malfunction during a press run. It is believed that the dies contact each other during installation, perhaps as one die is dropped on the other.

Among modern coins, radical MAD clashes are known among Lincoln cents from 1991 – 2000 and some foreign coins (notably Spain and Canada). Some examples appear among Indian cents as well. The images below show a radical misaligned die clash with an accompanying overlay, which shows the relative position of the dies when they did clash.

For more information concerning this unusual die clash, click HERE

Re Engraved AW On1944 D Walking Liberty

PART IV. Die Errors:

Die Re-touching:

Re-engraved Designer’s Initials (“AW”) on a 1944-D

Half Dollar

Definition: A crude attempt was made to restore the designer’s initials on a reverse die that was striking 1944-D half dollars. It appears that a very small chisel-like implement was tapped numerous times so as to form an outline of the letters A and W. The original initials – raised on the die face – may have been removed by intentional die abrasion (“die polishing”).

The above images show the designer’s initials AW on a 1944-D Walking Liberty half dollar. The image to the left shows the re-engraved designer’s initials, while the image to the right shows the normal AW.

Images are courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

Re Punched Or Reengraved Denomination

PART II. Die Varieties:

Repunched or Re-engraved Design Elements:

Denominations

Definition: The numeric denominational value of the coin has been either re-punched or re-engraved with the same numerical or different numerical value.

The image below shows a Peruvian 1896, ½ Dino that has been re-punched with the same numeric value.

The images below of the 1801 U. S. large cent show the error fraction of 1/000 and the corrected, re-punched version to the right. The coin to the left has three errors; the U of UNITED has been formed by two II. The left stem from the right branch of the wreath is missing and the incorrect fraction.

Images are courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

Reciprocally Deformed Convexo Concavo Dies

PART IV: Die Errors

Die Deterioration/Deformation Errors:

Reciprocally Deformed Convexo-Concavo Dies

Definition: This rare error occurs when one die face sinks in and the other bulges out in a complementary fashion. The effect can affect the center of the die face or the edge of the die face. The affect can be global (affecting the entire die face) or local.

The only known case among domestic coins is found in a production run of 2001-P half dollars. The dies show a pattern of global, centralized deformation. The reverse die sank in while the obverse die bulged out.

The images below show one of these half dollars. The reverse face bulges out noticeably, and the coin spins effortlessly around the highest point of that bulge, which lies in the center of the reverse face. Semicircular die cracks run through the ring of stars and the clouds that lie above the eagle. These cracks probably mark the edge of the zone of subsidence.

The obverse face is more concave than normal, although the effect is subtle.

A second case of reciprocal die deformation has been recorded in an off-center 2007 India 2 rupee coin (see photos below). Here the deformation is restricted to the right side of the reverse (hammer) die and the corresponding left side of the obverse (anvil) die. The periphery of the reverse die assumed a concave cross-sectional profile, leaving the reverse face of the coin with a convex surface on the right side. The periphery of the obverse die assumed a convex cross-sectional profile, leaving the obverse face with a concave surface on the left side.

The downwardly inflected edge of the reverse die cut deeply into the planchet. The upswept perimeter of the obverse face meets the unstruck portion of the planchet in a more gentle fashion. The unstruck crescent on the left side of the obverse face has a very deep, very irregular collar scar, indicating that the collar was damaged. This coin also shows a horizontal misalignment of the obverse (anvil) die. This indicates that either the collar broke free of its moorings or that it broke apart, freeing the anvil die of its embrace.

Reduction Lathe Doubling

PART II. Die Varieties:

Reduction Lathe Doubling

This form of raised doubling is subtle and characterizes all coins produced in a particular year, and sometimes over many years. It is produced in the initial stages of die preparation, as a large bias relief model of the design is transferred to a master hub by use of a Janvier Reduction Lathe. This device works in basically the same way as an artist’s pantograph. Vibration during the prolonged transfer process can result in slight duplication along the edge of the design.

For more information concerning reduction lathe doubling click HERE

The first year of the Lincoln cent production saw a reduction lathe doubling. This occurred in the BE of LIBERTY as an extra, thin bar on the vertical of the B and a notching on the top, left of the E.These anomalies lasted throughout the Lincoln cent production, in varying degrees, until the year 1956, when LIBERTY was re-engraved.

Repunched Date

PART II. Die Variety:

Re-punched Date

Definition: A repunched date is a date that has one or more numerals that have being repunched into a master or working die. This excludes doubled dies or re-engraved dates that show doubling on the digits of the date. This also excludes misplaced dates which is under a separate heading.

The above example of a repunched date is found on a 1 centavo from Colombia minted in 1969. The first two digits 19 have clearly been repunched.

With many older dated coins, a combination of 1, 2 or 3 digits may have been repunched. At times even all four digits of the date will have been repunched. The image to the right shows the 1 digit repunched on a 1891, Dos Centavos from Argentina.

This 1907 Indian Head Cent shows both a repunched date (the 9 digit) and a misplaced date (the 07 in the denticles)

Another example of a repunched date is seen on the 1882 Indian Head cent pictured above. The two 8 digits and the 2 digit show parts of the second punched dtae. This variety is listed as is Snow-1

Repunched Letters

PART II:

Repunched Design Elements:

Repunched Letters

Definition: A repunched letter occurs when a letter has been applied to a master or working die and has been inadvertently punched into that device twice or more.

This designer’s initials (?) under the star shows definite signs of being repunched with secondary image below and rotated. This device is found on the obverse of the 1863 Broas Brothers Pie Bakers store card token.

Repunched Mintmark

PART II. Die Varieties:

Repunched Mintmark (RPM)

Definition: A repunched mintmark variety is generated when the letter punch that is used to punch the mintmark into the working die leaves two or more offset impressions. The impressions almost always overlap. A totally separate secondary mintmark is a rarity.

The secondary mintmark is usually thinner and smaller than the normal mintmark. This is due to the fact that the apex of the raised letter on the letter punch is narrower than the base. In other words, the raised letter on the letter punch tapers in vertical cross-section.

Repunched mintmarks can reflect any of the following mishaps:

1. A failure to position the letter punch precisely over a first attempt at punching in the letter.

2. A letter punch that bounces and lands lightly on the rebound.

3. A letter punch that is not held vertically. This can cause it to skip, leaving a secondary impression.

4. An attempt to correct an initial punch mark that was out of position.

5. A malpositioned mintmark is incompletely abraded and a properly positioned mintmark is punched in afterward.

The era of RPMs ceased in 1989 when the U. S. Mint began placing the mint mark on the master die instead of punching the mintmark into the working die.

The position of the extra mint mark is indicated by using a cardinal direction; north, northeast, east, south, southwest, etc. Although the fainter of the two mintmarks is usually the one that was punched-in first, it is
referred to as the secondary mint mark.

The secondary mintmark can also be rotated, instead of offset. This occurs when both mintmarks have the same relative center, but the secondary mintmark is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the primary mintmark.

The secondary mintmark can also be tilted. This occurs when just a portion of the punch breaks the surface of the working die due to its being held at an angle when hit. The second-punched mintmark (the primary) will be seen in full.

Offset, rotated, and tilted positions can be combined in a single secondary mintmark.

There are other mint marks (P, O, CC, etc.) that have been repunched, but the majority of RPMs are found with either the S or D mint mark.

All photographs are courtesy of Coppercoins

Retained Cuds: Horizontal Offset

PART IV. Die Errors:

Cuds:

Retained Cuds (with horizontal offset)

Definition: A retained cud is a piece of a die that breaks off completely but is held in place. Retained cuds of the anvil die are held in place by the collar while retained cuds of the hammer die are presumably held in place by the bolts that secure the die in its recess. Retained cuds of the hammer die are much rarer, as die fragments tend to fall out with the assistance of gravity.

In order to diagnose a retained cud, one needs to see vertical displacement and/or horizontal offset. Vertical displacement simply means that the die fragment sinks in below the level of the die face, leaving the coin’s design sitting on a corresponding plateau. Horizontal offset means that the fragment slides along the break, leaving contiguous parts of the design out of alignment with each other on either side of the break.

Depicted below are close up images of a Columbia one centavo with a retained cud. While there is more going on here in addition to the horizontal offset, it is our focus for this illustration.

Retained Cuds: Vertical Displacement

PART IV. Die Errors:

Cuds:

Retained cuds (with vertical displacement)

In order to diagnose a retained cud, one needs to see vertical displacement and/or horizontal offset. Vertical displacement simply means that the die fragment sinks in below the level of the die face, leaving the coin’s design sitting on a corresponding plateau. Horizontal offset means that the fragment slides along the break, leaving contiguous parts of the design out of alignment with each other on either side of the break.

Depicted below is a quarter with a retained cud in the NW quadrant. There is marked vertical displacement of the retained cud because the die fragment sank in below the plane of the die face.