is this a clashed die

[walkingdude]

IS this penny a clashed die, it looks like the columns on the revese but they aren't the same shape. The ? is in before the shoulder I hope the pic is good enough to tell, I couldn't get any better.

[wavysteps2003]

Mike - from the looks of it, you have what they commonly call a "prisoner" cent with Lincoln behind bars. Yes, it is definitely a die clash and the reason that the columns look funny is that that is not what you are looking at, it is the spaces in between the columns that leaves the clash. Remember, a die clash is when to dies, the obverse and the reverse meet withoout a planchet in between. Since the space between the column is actually higher than the column on the die, the indents on the obverse die are actually the spaces. When the next or a series of blank planchets are feed through the press, the indents on the obverse die (the clash) will appear as very slightly raised areas. The same will happen on the reverse. You will see a mirror image of Lincolns bust and every once in awhile the "Y" in LIBERTY will appear in bay # 2. Commonly the die clash will be seen in bays # 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10. When a die clash such as this happens, the dies, especially the reverse are abraded to rid the area of the clash. Hence the die scratches commonly seen in the bays. The obverse die, however, is generally replaced after such an event unless the clash is faint, then it to will be abraded and placed back in service.

Hope that this helps.

WAVYSTEPS2003

[walkingdude]

Thanks,
I'll have to examine the rev and see what I can figure out, I did see what looked like a "Y" on another coin, a 70's but I wasn't sure and couldn't get the camera to focus close enough to post it here. The 70's coin looks like three building togher ot imagine holding your fingers together and the left,middle and right is what it looks like, I have about ten of those or so. Didn't think it was a clashed die being so many of them, I think I have 4 or 5 of this prisoner {sp} coins.

I have a 1972 I belive that must have been a major clashed die because it was stamped after being abraided and I thought it was some kind of damage in between the columns, not sure what the obv. looks like.

[coop]

Mike: This will help to identify what details are seen on the clashed die. This is an image of a proof cent. It is an overlay of the two images and if you turn the image over and flip it horizontally then you can see the opposite side. Hope this helps.

You will note the dies images are placed like they would sit in a normal setup for the striking process and what is left behind is really only found in the fields as that is the only part affect by the die clash. The deeper areas and not affected as the dies only touch in the field areas.

[walkingdude]

Thanks Coop,

That image really helps. Now I have something to compare.

Thanks a mill

[coop]

Mike for more information on this subject, check out this thread.
http://www.coppercoins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1220

[walkingdude]

You the man, This is a very good explanation and detailed pics thanks.

I have a coin that I thought was damaged on the rev. between the columns but I was told it is a polished die from clashed dies, the obv is fine if I remember, I'll have to look for it and really go over it better now that I know exactly what to look for.

[coop]

The dies could have been cracked and one retired, or cleaned up with a wire brush harshly on one die and the other die may have had little clash marks. The dies may or may not have started out new, or replaced anytime according to the LIFE of the die. Or one may have been made incorrectly and noticed later and retired. Like most places, the Mint gets as much out of the dies they possibly can. Some of the coins from the 50-60 era show how far they can be used before being scrapped.

[walkingdude]

Tell me about getting the most out of a die, Chucks not kidding when he says "This years pennies are "mush", they are painful just looking at them.

[Bob P]

As painful as they are to look at, I am glad we are having a great year for doubled dies on these things.
As far as clashes go, I have a number of great die clashes including ones that seemed to have clashed 3 or 4 times. I posted these pics before, but here they are again. I love some of these!

[walkingdude]

That some really good clashes, I have a couple with the nose part. I figured it out when I seen yours.

[Dick]

BOB, I just fouund another clashed die. 2003D. Below the steps, then up thru bays 1, and 2, then beyond the roof. Several marks.
Dick

[Bob P]

Dick,
I had the guy at my local coin shop show me a 2003 die that had one of the most awesome clashes I have ever seen. I would think this coin came immediately after the clash because all of the clash marks were extremely crisp. I will try to borrow it from him and post some pics. 2003 cents have a lot to offer to those who look hard enough.

[Dick]

Bob, All of the 2003 cents I get, go into a separate container, FFC. I won't lose too many that way!
Dick