1872 Half Dime with Unusual Die Crack

epc

I recently picked up the pictured half dime. It's in an ANACS AU50 holder. Note what looks like an interior crack extending from Liberty's right arm across to the pole. Roughly straight interior cracks are uncommon. I have seen one other example of this obverse, in the Crain collection: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/imagedetail/615295?col=514182. There are hints in these images that the crack may extend rim-to-rim (~T1 to ~F).

CaptHenway

That “line” (whatever it is) has a fascinating pattern in the gown under the (viewer’s left) breast. It almost looks as though a drill bit skittered across it. However, the line inside the (viewer’s right) arm is nice and straight. Tis a puzzlement!

You

@CaptHenway said:
That “line” (whatever it is) has a fascinating pattern in the gown under the (viewer’s left) breast. It almost looks as though a drill bit skittered across it. However, the line inside the (viewer’s right) arm is nice and straight. Tis a puzzlement!

It’s because of the topography of the design vs the flatness of the field. The directional changes correspond with the folds in the gown.

You

Due to the above, and the fact that is a relatively straight internal line, I think it is more likely a scratch on the die than a die crack.

johnny9434

I'm going with die break. Tis is an odd one

yosclimber

Yes, it's an interesting die feature.

I agree with @You that it's likely a die scratch, because of how it is visible in the folds (high points of die)
but not on the high parts of the gown or pole (low points of the die).

Crain #1505 F-12, clashed and his notes said "OBV: DC from L elbow, across chest, to pole."

Frank discovered it as well, and he has 2 of them
1. EF-45, no clash


2. EF-40 clashed

I found one on ebay in 2021, EF-det, no clash

So including yours, this is 5 examples so far, 3 with clashes and 2 without.

I have been calling it V-9, but there should also be at least a V-9a for the clashed version.
I have not yet analyzed all the 1872 date positions, so I don't know if there is an even earlier version
without the wavy die scratch.

You

@yosclimber said:
Yes, it's an interesting die feature.

I agree with @You that it's likely a die scratch, because of how it is visible in the folds (high points of die)
but not on the high parts of the gown or pole (low points of the die).

Yes, it clearly skips over the breast and one of the higher relief central folds. Additionally, the scratch was performed from left to right (right to left on the die) given that it catches the edge of the arm.

This line appears to be a continuation of the scratch, after the pole knocked it off course:

tcollects

nice crack bro

OAKSTAR

My first thought was die gouge. Now I'm thinking old crack.