$1 1798 reverse wear pattern

lilolme

So when I saw this $1 1798 I wondered how did that vertical wear happen on the reverse.
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Another search of the variety ($1 1798 4 Lines Knob 9 - B-5 BB-93) revealed the answer.
It is a big die crack from top to bottom. I suspect the height is uneven and perhaps from side to side as the striking is a little uneven on either side.
On a previous thread @Nysoto mentioned broken dies in the anvil position and can not fall out. Might be the same here or perhaps just a big die crack.
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jesbroken

Glad I read all of your post, as I was getting ready to mention the possibility of a die crack.
Jim

jayPem

Answered your own question 😄
I would scoop up either of those coins In a heartbeat... message me if you happen to have a lead 👍

LanceNewmanOCC

nice and probably quite scarce bisecting die break on a bust dollar no less!

edited to add: that first coin is a lovely circ cam example.

Nysoto

The error guys call these "split dies", I believe unlike an edge cud that could fall out, the split die break goes deep into the shaft of the die. This is the best example of a half dollar split die 1806 O-114a/T-16 (hair is either mine or my dog):

Edit - some error experts claim only lateral spread on a split die, and vertical displacement can be a retained cud. I think these could be a hybrid, they are obviously split with the die break extending well into the shaft, along with some vertical movement that shows up as two planes of different height on the coins.

ricko

I find die cracks to be quite interesting. I would love to see/hear a discussion on the topic, with a couple of professionals contributing to their experiences in volume minting and the various die breakages, life and what can be determined when looking at a die crack on a coin. Cheers, RickO

asheland

Interesting thread.

lilolme

In the OP I thought that the die was possibly broken like the previous one that Nysoto mentioned as a retained cud (again let me state I am not a die person and not trying to sound like one). But if the die is only cracked and not broken due to die depth, then what is causing the change in strike?

The left side (toward the center) appears to have a weaker strike than the right. Might be more easily seen with the stars but can also note it with shield versus wing and others. Also the wear pattern suggest that the left side (toward center) of the die crack is higher than the right because it appears that the wear is occurring on the left side. That is the die crack appears to be at about the right edge of the wear when comparing to the other TV without the wear.

Seems like there is a shift in the height or level of the face of the die from the left side (toward center) and the right side of the die crack. But if the die is not broken I have trouble visualizing this. Anything else going on?

Was I as clear as mud.

Thanks