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1963 Proof Cent with displaced field die break/crack *Post your displaced field break*

ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭

A slightly unusual find. Die cracks are common as we all know even on proofs. What makes this different is the fields are raised and the crack is harder to see. At first glance it looked kind of like a die clash rather than a crack. The photo with the red line shows the crack. The photo with the red filled areas are raised above the fields. The photo with the yellow fill shows the area that is raised the highest and the areas are raised in opposite directions. Just wanted to post for those who may not have seen this type of die failure.
The lines through the lettering is not roller damage it is the mint packaging

If anyone else has a displaced field break on any coin please feel free to post it. :)

Comments

  • FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,913 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I see what you're talking about,
    but I'm not certain it's a die crack,
    based on the photos only.

    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
  • JBKJBK Posts: 16,237 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I've seen that effect on circulation coins - I always assumed it was die wear.

    I'll have to pay more attention...

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks for looking Fred. It is a very fine crack that I couldn't get to show up through the mint packaging. It was hard to see with a 10x so I had to get out the 16x to confirm there is a crack there. If needs be I can remove from the proof set.

  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    From the photo, it looks more like local die collapse. This is fairly common due to uneven hardening.

  • ChrisH821ChrisH821 Posts: 6,657 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Pretty cool!
    Here is a minor one, have posted here before.

    Collector, occasional seller

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks for sharing ChrisH

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,624 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Perhaps die damage caused by a piece of metal being struck into the reverse die? Are there any corresponding marks on the obverse?

    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I can clearly see a crack, there are no marks on the obverse. Can post full coin both sides if needed but there is not much to see other than the small displaced break.

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here is a couple of quick pics. :)

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 3, 2019 11:35PM

    Different lighting

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,624 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Perhaps a small planchet bubble? A lamination that never broke loose?

    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 4, 2019 7:03AM

    @CaptHenway

    In hand it is easy to see a crack. When I highlighted the photo I used the coin to see where the crack shows.

  • NysotoNysoto Posts: 3,821 ✭✭✭✭✭


    Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty - biography of US Mint's first chief engraver
  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Nysoto

    Nice field break & nice overdate! Thanks for sharing! :)

  • NysotoNysoto Posts: 3,821 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 4, 2019 7:31AM

    Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty - biography of US Mint's first chief engraver
  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Nysoto

    Thanks again! Yours show the height displacement much better than my small one. That is what I was hoping to show to help newer collectors that are not familiar with this type of break.

  • NysotoNysoto Posts: 3,821 ✭✭✭✭✭

    You're welcome. On early US coins, large die cracks were very common, for various reasons. The most common reason was the die hardening processes were not consistent, as explained by chief engraver Robert Scot in his report to Congress December of 1794, "the precariousness and uncertainty of hardening and tempering the Dies, whereby they are often lost without striking a single coin" (NARA RG104, folder 14):

    Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty - biography of US Mint's first chief engraver
  • jtlee321jtlee321 Posts: 2,365 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I love displaced field die breaks. I collect everything that I find in the wild. Here is one of my personal favorites, a 1964-D Washington Quarter that has a pretty significant die break circling the top of the 1 in the date as well as quite a displacement out at the rim.

    Look at the depth that the metal was forced down into the break. It's like a mountain range.




  • jtlee321jtlee321 Posts: 2,365 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here's another one. This is a 1922-D Peace Dollar with 3 different displaced die breaks. This particular coin may be a new die state discovery for the VAM-10a as it's a Very Late Die State. The obverse has two separate displaced field die breaks, the first above IN to the rim and the other above TRVST. The third and most significant is on the reverse at the E of UNITED.




  • ldhairldhair Posts: 7,312 ✭✭✭✭✭


    Larry

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jtlee321 & @ldhair A couple of great examples! Thanks for sharing! :)

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