Home U.S. Coin Forum

From the PCGS Grading Room Jan/Feb 2022

One of the most fundamental processes in coin grading and authentication is examination of the surfaces for abrasions, alteration, or other forms of post-production harm. Sometimes, however, we encounter an aberration in a coin’s field that – while seemingly out of place – has a fabric and finish consistent with the rest of the coin, and indeed there are several potential sources of such oddities that are of an entirely benign, and often quite intriguing, nature.

Die clashing is evidence of a permanent impression left on a die from its collision with another (usually mated) die without a coin in between to cushion the blow and absorb the design. In some series, such as the Three Cent Nickels from the middle of the 19th century, this is common, and such pieces command no premium. In other instances, they can be highly collectible. This 1857 Flying Eagle Cent obverse die was somehow clashed with the reverse die from a contemporary Liberty Seated Half Dollar, leaving dramatic evidence on the obverse: the projections from the eagle’s beak, front wing, and tail are all clash marks and not at all detrimental to the grade.

Full article: https://www.pcgs.com/news/from-the-pcgs-grading-room

Want our top articles delivered to your e-mail inbox weekly? Join our e-newsletter here: https://www.pcgs.com/newsletter

Comments

  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,464 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I like the 1857 varieties. Would pass on this one because of the weak strike. Would love to own the AU58 clash with a $20!

    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose, Cardinal.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Interesting.... and thanks for the link and excellent pictures. Cheers, RickO

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,401 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PCGS_SocialMedia said:
    This 1857 Flying Eagle Cent obverse die was somehow clashed with the reverse die from a contemporary Liberty Seated Half Dollar, leaving dramatic evidence on the obverse: the projections from the eagle’s beak, front wing, and tail are all clash marks and not at all detrimental to the grade.

    Full article: https://www.pcgs.com/news/from-the-pcgs-grading-room

    That's insane!

    We'll all need to be on the look out for a 1857 Flying Eagle Half Dollar now!

    Here's another insane coin, a cent overstruck by nickel dies!

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file