PART XI:

Counterfeits:

Chinese Fabricated Error Coins

My first experience with counterfeit coins from China came in September of 2009. Since that time, I have come across more than a few and the worrisome part is that the quality of work is becoming increasingly better as each year passes.

PART IV: Die Errors:

Collar Cuds:

Chipped Collar

Definition: Bits of the collar can chip off, either spontaneously or as the result of impacts. Collar chips are recognizable on the edge of the coin as small, raised defects. Their appearance differs between smooth-edged and reeded issues. In smooth-edged issues, collar chips typically extend down from the rim struck by the hammer die but seldom reach the opposite rim. In reeded issues they are always vertically oriented and often extend from one rim to the other.

Double-struck 1982 cent with die dents and impact scars on both faces. Two large, contiguous collar chips on the edge extend from 11:00 to 2:00.

Close-up of the two collar chips showing how they extend down from the obverse rim (center image).

The above images show collar breaks on 1960 D small date Lincoln cents.

PART IV. Die Errors:

Cuds: 

Circumferential Cuds

Definition: A circumferential, or 360 degree cud, occurs when the entire perimeter of the working face of a die breaks away.  This can occur incrementally, as chunks of the die break off at different times.  A circumferential cud is thought to occur when the outside of the die neck is unusually brittle and when there is a sharp transition zone between the brittle exterior and a softer interior.

Circumferential cuds are extremely rare and are unknown among U.S. coins.  A few examples are known from other countries.

This 1918 Serbian 20 para shows a 355 degree cud

Part IV. Die Errors:

Die Clash:

Clash Marks

Definition: Clash marks are the impressions left on each die after a die clash.  Part of the design of each die is transferred to the opposing die when they hit into each other.  The transferred design elements are raised and normally-oriented on the die face.  Therefore, any coin that is struck will show extra design elements that are incuse (sunken) and mirror-image.  The field area of the die is most likely to pick up clash marks because this part of die face is farthest in front.  Shallow recesses on the die face (corresponding to low-relief areas on the coin) can also pick up clash marks.  Deep recesses are generally protected from even the strongest clashes.  The periphery of each die face will normally be free of clash marks in most instances due to die convexity.  Each die face bulges out ever-so-slightly, and the convexity is strongest at the periphery.  Since opposing surfaces are curving away from each other, there is little opportunity for contact.

Below is a 1987 Lincoln cent with clash marks from the reverse (sometimes called a “prisoner cent”) and a 1979 Jefferson nickel with clash marks from the obverse.

Part II. Die Varieties:

Doubled Dies:

Class I (Rotated Hub Doubling):

This class of doubled die is probably the easiest to conceptualize and diagnose.  It emerges from two separate hubbings.  Prior to the second hubbing, the working hub or the working die rotates around its vertical axis (the axis that passes though the center of the hub/die face). Class I doubled dies are listed as showing a clockwise (CW) or counter-clockwise (CCW) rotation.  The direction is determined by which hubbing is clearest and most complete. This is usually the second hubbing (which tends to be deepest).  Exceptions do exist, however.

Doubling typically has a rounded appearance.  When the hubbing impressions are extremely close, the doubled die may only be recognizable from notched serifs and corners, subtle separation lines, or extra thickness.

Below is an overlay diagram of a fictitious Class I doubled die that has a clockwise rotation similar to the King of Doubled Dies, the 1955P DDO-001. Notice how the spread is equal on all devices and increases the farther out you go from the center of the coin.  DDO refers to a doubled die that affects the obverse face of a coin.  DDR refers to a doubled die that affects the reverse face of a coin.

Below are photos of 1972P DDO-001, a Class I DDO with a strong CW spread on all outlying devices and parts of the jacket. A second hubbing typically eliminates interior parts of the design produced by the first hubbing. Therefore doubling is often only detectable in areas bordering the field. Here, only the outside elements of the portrait of Lincoln and the motto show doubling while the centrally-located details are lost to the second hubbing.

Hubbings are ordered from lightest to deepest, either CW or CCW. On the G of GOD you can see that the heavier of the duplicate letters (G-2) is located to the right (clockwise) of the lighter letter (G-1).  It is likely that the heavier letter represents the second hubbing, but this cannot be proven.

Below you can see clear separation between the letters of TRUST. On the first few digits of the date, where design elements are more closely bunched (due to being closer to the center of the design), distinct notching can be seen at the upper and lower corners of numeral 1.

Below is a Class I doubled die on the reverse face of a 1964 cent ( 1964P DDR-001).  It shows a counterclockwise (CCW) spread. Again there is clear separation, notching, and rounded doubling. The doubling is strongest in “STATES oF” due to the axis of rotation being located slightly south of center.

The next example is a DDR on a 1979 Israeli 25 agorot. The spread, best seen in the Hebrew letters located near k12, is elsewhere indicated by notches and subtle separation lines. As would be expected of any Class I doubled die, the doubling is weakest toward the center and strongest toward the perimeter of the coin.

Notching of corners and serifs reflects the presence of closely-spaced letters and numbers.  Often there is a difference in height as well between the closely overlapping design elements. Below is a 1934-D quarter listed as DDO-001 that shows very obvious stepped notching in IN GOD WE TRUST. Subtle doubling, also in the form of notching, is evident on all the peripheral design elements. Detailed photos presented below depict notching in the E of LIBERTY, as well as the 3 of the date.

Now we will see a stronger CCW spread where there is very little degree of offset between the hubbings. The result is fewer notches overall, but where the design drops off, such as the serifs on the S or the top of the A, there will be
minor notching or splits. Below are some notching diagrams that will give you an idea of where  Class I (and also Class V) hub doubling can produce notches.

Below are examples of Class I Doubled Dies on various Lincoln cents. 1941 DDO-001

1941 DDO-002

1936 DDO-001

1971 DDO-002

On to CLASS II

All doubled die illustrations are by Jason Cuvelier

Part II. Die Varieties:

Doubled Dies:

Class II

There is a large number of other Class II DDRs on the Lincoln cent from 1962 through 1964.

Here we can see a Jefferson nickel listed as 1962P DDR-015 (15-R-II-C) with a medium spread on the reverse that is visible on most devices. The doubling is more pronounced near the rim and gradually decreases as we navigate toward the center. Notice how light the spread becomes on FIVE and the beginning of MONTICELLO.

Part II. Die Varieties:

Doubled Dies:

Class III (Design Hub Doubling)

Likely the easiest Doubled Die to explain yet the least common to have occurred. Class III Doubled Dies occur when after the first hubbing with one design another hubbing follows of a different design or a slightly altered design.

Below is an overlay diagram of a fictitious Class III Doubled Die that is similar to several Doubled Dies that occurred during 1960 when the Mint used two different Master Dies, the first bearing a small date, then another made later that year, bearing a larger date. You can see clear doubling in the date and then slight doubling in LIBERTY.

Doubling is sometimes the least dramatic characteristic observed, as in some cases with other denominations, such as on a Mercury Dime with a 1942 over a 194. Designated as 1942P DDO-001 (FS-10.7 [101] when, for whatever reason, a die after having been hubbed with a 1941 hub, was hubbed a second time with a hub having a 1942. There is some doubling in IGWT, but there is a very dramatic, naked eye obvious, overdate. It is important to note that all overdates after 1907 are Doubled Dies whereas previous overdates had dates punched into the die one on top
of the other.

Collectors of Lincoln cents should have an easy time understanding what would happen if a 1960 small date hub and a 1960 large date hub were both used to create a die. There are four cases of this happening, three on proofs and one business strike from Denver (which also has a nice RPM). Below is an approximation overlay of a small date over a large date with an example designated as 1960P DDO-002 (FS-102). The doubling is very obvious in the date, LIBERTY and parts of IGWT. At the bottom the small date is lavender while the large is green; the first shows a small over a large and the second shows a large over a small. They almost line up perfectly with DDO-002.

The 1960 Denver version is just as dramatic in the date but less so in LIBERTY. The small date almost looks as if it were placed on top of the large date. Listed as 1960D DDO-001 & RPM-100 and is illustrated below. John Wexler states (The Cherrypicker’s Guide to Rare Die Varieties, 4th edition, volume one, 2001) that in the “early days” any Doubled Die that “…did not fit the parameters of any of the other classes of doubling” were often erroneously designated as a Class III Doubled Die. Wexler also says that “[he] will not assign a Class III designation to a variety unless [he] has documented evidence that different designs were in use [that] year….”

Another curious set of examples comes from 1949 when, for reasons unknown, three dies were hubbed with a pointed topped 4 hub and then hubbed again with a blunt topped 4. They are listed as 1949S DDO-001, 002 &003 by CONECA. It has been hypothesized that the pointed hub is that from 1948 which was absent an 8 digit (or the 8 was removed). Below is DDO-002 and then an approximation overlay showing a pointed 4 (red) from 1948 undera blunt 4 (green) from 1949. They match up convincingly and suggest the likeliest, but not necessarily the only possible explanation. As a suggested reason for this (BJ Neff) proposed the possibility that the Mint was short on hubs and quickly altered an extra 1948. What isn’t answerable is why only three were hubbed once using this particular hub.

Next is an overdate Jefferson nickel, listed by CONECA as DDO-003 (3-O-II-C+III+V-CW) and in the CPG as FS-05-1943P-101 (28). Here we have a situation where a lighter hubbing of a ‘42 is partly concealed by a deeper hubbing of a ‘43. To clarify, below is a 1943 Jefferson overlaid with a 1942; the diagonal line matches part of the primary curve of the 2, while the little protruding point below the curve of the 3, matches the corner of the bottom of the 2.

Finally, a comparison illustration of the four known 1960 P & D Class III doubled dies.

On to CLASS IV

All doubled die illustrations are by Jason Cuvelier

Part II. Die Varieties:

Doubled Dies: 

Class IV (Offset Hub Doubling)

Below is 1983 DDR-001, which exhibits a large spread going North, it is stronger than the above hypothetical illustration. The ’83 DDR shows strong peripheral doubling. The central elements show some doubling around the parameter of the memorial and in a few sections of the building itself (like the upper portions of the columns). Notice the notching (a clear indication of hub doubling), rounded secondary images and how the deeper hubbing shifts consistently in one direction from the lighter hubbing.

Part II. Die Varieties:

Doubled Dies:

Class V (Pivoted Hub Doubling)

Class V Doubled Dies are related to Class I Doubled Dies as they both have a rotation in the doubling. If one understands Class I, Rotated Hub Doubling, then understanding Pivoted Hub Doubling should be a snap. Where Pivoted hub doubling differs is that the center of rotation is very near or at the rim. (While Rotated hub doubling may not always be dead center, nevertheless, as long as it is in the central area, it is considered Class I whereas anything near the rim is Class V.)

Like Rotated hub doubling, doubling is either Clockwise (CW) or Counter-clockwise (CCW). Unlike Rotated hub doubling, the degree of rotation (or the spread) is strongest opposite the pivot point. Doubling progressively diminishes from there as you move toward the pivot point. Rotated hub doubling, by contrast, shows same degree of rotation all away around.

Below is a facsimile of a fictitious 1960P DDO with Class V doubling. The pivot point is in-between coordinates K5 and K4 near the date. A K(number) represents an area along the rim that coincides with numbers on a clock. Notice how there is no doubling at the date, but directly opposite the pivot point at K10.5, there is very strong doubling. Follow the doubling around and it gradually decreases.

A similar DDO to the illustration above is 1995 DDO-001 (FS-101). It has its pivot point near K4 and shows strong CW doubling in IN GOD and parts of LIBERTY with lesser doubling in WE TRUST.

For clarity, below is another facsimile of a fictitious DDO also with a K4 pivot point like that of the 1995 above. The hubbings are colored green (lightest) and red (deepest). The strongest doubling is seen in LIBERTY and IN, as you move away toward the date doubling decreases.

For comparison a shot of LIBERTY from 1995 DDO-001 is next to an overlay from the above hypothetical. Below are details of 1995 DDO-001.

1936 DDO-003 (FS-103) with a pivot point at K5 shows a strong spread in IN GOD that progressively decreases toward TRUST and cannot be seen in the date.

Next is 1980 DDO-001 (FS-101) with a K11 pivot point showing strong doubling in the date, decreasing in LIBERTY and not at all in the motto.

1966 DDO-001 (FS-101) with pivot point at K7 shows strongest in TRUST and fades but is visible in the date, WE, the eyelid and edge Lincoln’s coat.

1973 DDO-001 has a pivot point around K5. Doubling is seen in LIBE and IN TRUST.

1995-D DDO-003 (FS-101) with a pivot point at K7.5 shows the strongest doubling in TRUST. Doubling diminishes through the rest of the motto and date. Some doubling is visible in the hair, ear, eyelid and mintmark. The mintmark is part of the design (not punched into the die) so this is not an RPM.

On to CLASS VI

All doubled die illustrations are by Jason Cuvelier.

Part II. Die Varieties:

Doubled Dies:

Class VI

Class VI: Distended Hub Doubling occurs during hubbing and is related to lateral expansion of the die face.  Expansion is impeded in areas where the raised elements on the face of the working hub interlock with the freshly-penetrated die face. This causes distortion in elements that are relatively near the perimeter of the die face. The affected elements are thickened, and may show sloping, pointed, or twisted regions.

Historically Class VI has been attributed to a worn-out hub that becomes distended from extended use. However, if that were the case we should see an even progression of design distortion and expansion in any year with a Class VI doubled die. In other words, we should encounter specimens in which the affected design elements show slight to marked expansion. This has not been the case. Another problematic association is the tendency for Class VI to be present with Class II (Distorted Hub Doubling). If Class II can be traced to faulty annealing of the die, why would it be found so routinely with Class VI if the two do not share a common cause or even a related cause?

Class VI in all likelihood has the same root cause as Class II – a problem intrinsic to the die steel or one that is caused (or exacerbated) by faulty heat treatment. During annealing the die face experiences excessive expansion, sometimes localized and sometimes over the entire die face. The difference between the two forms of hub doubling is the location and the timing of the expansion. A Class II die (or hub) will expand right after the first hubbing, distorting the perimeter and pushing it beyond the intended circumference. A Class VI by contrast will expand during the first or second hubbing from the heat generated by the hubbing.

In a Class VI doubled die, affected devices are in partly or entirely parallel to the design rim. During the hubbing, the die face experiences lateral expansion, but the hub will not. Any raised part of the hub, such as letters or the design rim, will inhibit expansion.  As a result, the die steel twists away from or flows around the stationary devices on the hub and toward the rim. Whenever a raised device from the hub lies in the path of the expansion, it will inhibit that expansion. The design rim too is raised and will also curtail expansion nearest the perimeter