Part VI. Striking Errors:

Struck-Through Errors:

Struck-Through “Grease”:

“Spackled dies” (intentionally applied grease)

Definition: Dies that have had most or all of their recesses intentionally filled by a smooth paste. A single design element may be left unobstructed to create the appearance of an unfinished pattern die.

This 1 rupee planchet was struck by 1 rupee dies whose recesses were almost completely filled by a smooth paste. The only design element that was left empty was the numeral 1. The highly localized nature of this error suggests that the grease deposit was intentionally applied in order to create the appearance of a trial strike incorporating an unfinished pattern die.

This 2 rupees planchet was struck by a pair of 2 rupees dies whose recesses were almost completely filled by a smooth paste. A little bit of the base of the Ashoka Lion statue is peeking through on the obverse. On the reverse, the numeral 2 lies in the middle of an otherwise featureless surface. It’s likely that both dies were “spackled” to create an appearance evocative of a trial strike.