Why did/ or does the mint use reverse dies as hammer dies in certain coin series?

NumisOxide

I read that Buffalo nickels were struck like that. If that's true, what was the reason behind it? Better strike?

Also, what other coin series were/are struck like that? Thanks in advance.

RWB

According to engraver Charles Barber, the die that was in the lower (anvil) position received more of the force of the strike. The folks at Gallery Mint Museum have experimented with this so you might check their web site.

Mint documents state that the Saint-Gaudens double eagles had the obverse in the anvil position, there may have been others but I've seen nothing referenced to original sources.

FredWeinberg

Mercury Dimes were also struck like that.

It's easy to verify which Rev. Dies were Hammer Dies,
when you run across a Partial Collar Strike example
of that series. (Otherwise known as "Railroad Rims")

A few dates, but not all, of Stating Liberty Quarters were
also struck with the Rev. Die as the top Hammer Die, as
I recall. Same on Peace Dollars.

As to why - that I don't know.........

Fred

cladking

The diffference in force between the two dies should be extremely minimal. It is
entirely possible that it is important to metal flow whether it is being forced into
a moving die or a stationary one. I wonder if it might not be related more to a
propensity for some designs to be difficult to get the planchets to seat or eject.

NumisOxide

Thanks Fred, RWB, & Cladking. I appreciate the info.

Longacre

Very interesting stuff.

Leiana

I think that some flying eagle cents had reverse dies in the hammer position, too.

-Amanda