A Rough Day at Moonlight Mint . . . . ?

ZoidMeister · January 11, 2022 11:49AM

Every craftsman puts a signature level of pride and detail into his work and Daniel Carr is certainly no exception.

One of my favorite series of his are his Moonlight Mint Open House over-strikes. I am fascinated by these because every single piece is unique, either with regard to the host coin / planchet used, the position of the over-strike, or the quantity of over-strikes made.

The following 2020 MMOH double over-strike is just such an example. Two Carson City strikes, perfectly placed showing the maximum host coin creating a beautiful and truly O.A.K. piece.
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However, every craftsman has one of “those days.”

Maybe the neighbor’s dog bites you on the way out of your house?
Perhaps some A-Rod cuts you off on the way into the office?
Could be a supplier shipped the wrong planchets for an order you need to finish that has a critical delivery date?
Maybe a client’s check just bounced?
We won’t even go into domestic discord issues . . . . . . .

Whatever it is, every guy has them.

Days where you want to get out a crowbar and whack the crap out of the next thing you touch.

I believe this next 2019 MMOH over-strike was created on just one of those days . . . . . . .
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According to Dan’s own handwritten description, this piece started out as a round 39mm copper blank planchet that was “multi-struck.”

Hmm, round 39mm . . . . . . . .
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Well, I measured the resultant piece. “Post striking” it measures 41mm by 52mm . . . . . .

How does one transform 39mm round to a 41mm by 52mm oval?

Hand hammered coining using Thor of Asgard’s Hammer I am thinking . . . . . . .

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I can see why Dan didn’t describe this piece as being “double struck.”

The two depressions on the obverse (at least I think it’s the obverse) are so deep they look more like die cap strikes.
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On the right side of the piece there is a “planchet crack” . . . . . . .

A planchet fissure might be a more appropriate term . . . . . .
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The metal flow lines radiating from the MMOH sun on from the reverse die are insane . . . . . .

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Anyway, I was really happy to have acquired this piece. It is a phenomenal addition to my MMOH O/S collection with an even more phenomenal "back story" . . . . . . .