Are die cracks on silver proof State Quarters considered mint errors, and should NGC specially label
Longacre
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I was taking a look at the NGC enewsletter, and it had an article on die cracks in a lot of the new Statehood Quarters. Does anyone know if die cracks on proofs are really considered mint errors (or quality control issues), and what do you think about NGC creating a special label indicating the die crack and its location? Here is link to a picture. The entire article is below, too.
Slab
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Die Crack Errors Abound on Silver States Quarters
NGC Discovers Two Proof Silver States Quarters Die Crack Errors
NGC recently identified die cracks on two issues of silver proof States Quarters. The first discovery was on a 2005-S Silver West Virginia Quarter, where a thin crack emerges from the rim at approximately 4:00 and enters the frosted devices. The second error, seen on a 2006-S Silver Colorado Quarter, is slightly more dramatic. It starts at the rim just past 1:00 and runs diagonally through the mirrored field, which makes it readily visible.
A submission consisting of a single 2006 Silver States Quarter Proof Set yielded the discovery of the Colorado Quarter. The West Virginia Quarter, however, was discovered in a submission of 100 Silver States Quarters Proof Sets from 2005, and 62 examples exhibited the error. NGC has graded over 180,000 Silver Proof States Quarters and, with these pieces included, fewer than 100 such error coins have been identified. NGC graders were surprised to find this error in such quantity. The submitter of the 2005 Proof Sets, Boca Raton, Florida-based coin dealer Finest Known, was also not expecting this unusual trove of errors to be found.
When NGC first reported the discovery of a die crack on a proof 2004-S Wisconsin Silver Quarter in August 2005, we commented that several other proof States Quarters were known with die cracks, most notably the prominent ‘Spiked Head’ cracks which emerge from the rim at 6:00 on the obverse. These, however, are usually seen on clad (copper-nickel) coins. The appearance of a crack on a silver proof coin is much less frequent. All modern proof coins displaying die cracks are scarce as they are usually caught by the Mint's quality control. As a result of their scarcity, they are all considered collectible.
A die crack occurs when a small break in the die allows metal to flow into the damaged area during striking. On the surface of the coin, this appears as a thin, irregular, raised line. If the broken die remains in production, more extreme errors can result, including a cud, an unstruck portion of a coin’s surface corresponding to an area on the die where a piece has broken away. Die cracks are relatively common on circulation issue coinage and small cracks can fall within accepted tolerances of flaws during coin production. Dies are replaced when a large crack appears. On proof coinage, however, coins with die cracks are deemed outside of acceptable tolerances and, when detected, are culled during quality control.
These coins are certified by NGC, and the position of the die crack is noted on the certification label. All were graded NGC PF69 ULTRA CAMEO.
Slab2
Slab
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Die Crack Errors Abound on Silver States Quarters
NGC Discovers Two Proof Silver States Quarters Die Crack Errors
NGC recently identified die cracks on two issues of silver proof States Quarters. The first discovery was on a 2005-S Silver West Virginia Quarter, where a thin crack emerges from the rim at approximately 4:00 and enters the frosted devices. The second error, seen on a 2006-S Silver Colorado Quarter, is slightly more dramatic. It starts at the rim just past 1:00 and runs diagonally through the mirrored field, which makes it readily visible.
A submission consisting of a single 2006 Silver States Quarter Proof Set yielded the discovery of the Colorado Quarter. The West Virginia Quarter, however, was discovered in a submission of 100 Silver States Quarters Proof Sets from 2005, and 62 examples exhibited the error. NGC has graded over 180,000 Silver Proof States Quarters and, with these pieces included, fewer than 100 such error coins have been identified. NGC graders were surprised to find this error in such quantity. The submitter of the 2005 Proof Sets, Boca Raton, Florida-based coin dealer Finest Known, was also not expecting this unusual trove of errors to be found.
When NGC first reported the discovery of a die crack on a proof 2004-S Wisconsin Silver Quarter in August 2005, we commented that several other proof States Quarters were known with die cracks, most notably the prominent ‘Spiked Head’ cracks which emerge from the rim at 6:00 on the obverse. These, however, are usually seen on clad (copper-nickel) coins. The appearance of a crack on a silver proof coin is much less frequent. All modern proof coins displaying die cracks are scarce as they are usually caught by the Mint's quality control. As a result of their scarcity, they are all considered collectible.
A die crack occurs when a small break in the die allows metal to flow into the damaged area during striking. On the surface of the coin, this appears as a thin, irregular, raised line. If the broken die remains in production, more extreme errors can result, including a cud, an unstruck portion of a coin’s surface corresponding to an area on the die where a piece has broken away. Die cracks are relatively common on circulation issue coinage and small cracks can fall within accepted tolerances of flaws during coin production. Dies are replaced when a large crack appears. On proof coinage, however, coins with die cracks are deemed outside of acceptable tolerances and, when detected, are culled during quality control.
These coins are certified by NGC, and the position of the die crack is noted on the certification label. All were graded NGC PF69 ULTRA CAMEO.
Slab2
Always took candy from strangers
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
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Comments
Another thing to consider is that all other errors are "quality control" issues in as much as die cracks. Capped dies can originate by a planchet being stuck to a die face due to a crack. A die break (cud or sunken die) error originates as a dramatic die crack, as is true for a split die - it's all a matter of degree. Broadstrikes can be the result of the collar (third die) cracking, then falling away. In every case, the Mint press operator simply did not "QC" the press in time to prevent the error. In this context, die cracks are as much an error as anything else.
For modern pieces, particularly proofs, die cracks may well be categorized as errors. Proof dies strike far fewer coins than business strike dies, thus they should have a greater longevity. Die cracks that form on modern proof dies are anomalous to the mismanufacture of the die, much mre so than to the die state as defined in the context of variation of surface wear and metal flow.
Hoot
<< <i>Image how big the label would be if they named each die crack on a terminal die state bust coin in a slab LOL >>
Die cracks, such as the "spiked head" versions, are only categorically named. Each coin struck with a cracked die may be quite unique, just as may be every sunken die coin, brockage coin or broadstruck coin, yet they are categorized the same.
I think that a large part of the confusion arises from the distinction between errors and varieties. The terms are too often bantered about willy-nilly, without an understanding of their distinction.
A variety is a coin that is struck from a unique die combination with unique markers. These are sometimes identified readily, as in the case of overdates, doubled dies, or certain RPMs or OMMs. Overton bust half varieties are uniquely paired obverse and reverse dies that have distinct markers for identification. Similarly, the 1942-D over horizontal D Jefferson 5 cents is a coin struck from a unique reverse die; the 1943/2 overdate is struck from a unique obverse die. It's all a matter of die identification when it comes to varieties.
Errors are not confined to a single die and only bear superficial resemblance one to the other. There are many broad categories for errors, and they may occur due to die production, die or press failure, planchet production, wrong planchet, etc., etc., etc. To repeat, errors are categorical, and though they may resemble one another, they are each unique.
Hoot
Nor is when the die cracked relevant as to whether or not a coin produced by that die set is a die state variety. The die could crack with the first coin minted from that pair--or it could crack on the 500th--or the 5000th. Every coin produced after the die cracks will be an example of a die state showing that crack. This is WHY it should not considered an error.
As for quality control issues, one could (I suppose) make a case the the fact that the mint did not remove the coins from this die state from their proof sets could be an error--but, a human error rather than an error coin.
Hoot
Edited to add: I realize that broadstrikes can occur for reasons other than a shattered third die (which starts from a crack), such as a jammed mechanism( - a result of human negligence?).
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Does that mean that the 1955/55 is not an error coin? It comes out of the die the way it was supposed to, the design inscribed upon the die was doubled as is the image on the cent.
<< <i><STRONG><<No, die cracks can never be errors. The coin came out of the press looking just exactly the way it was supposed to ie, the design inscribed upon the die was transferred to the coin. The fact that the die had cracked is irrelevant. >></STRONG>
Does that mean that the 1955/55 is not an error coin? It comes out of the die the way it was supposed to, the design inscribed upon the die was doubled as is the image on the cent. >>
No, it doubled dies are not errors; once again, they are varieties. Every coin produced by that die will exhibit the doubling. Error coins, by definition, are unique to that coin.
<< <i>Error coins, by definition, are unique to that coin. >>
Could you point me to that definition?
My icon IS my coin. It is a gem 1949 FBL Franklin.
<< <i>Could you point me to that definition? >>
Any error whether on a coin or in mathmatics or simply walking down the street is a result of actions taken at the specific point in time the error was created. Since the circumstances of creation are unique any resulting error must be unique.
Back to coins...
All coins struck from flawed dies will exhibit the results of those flawed dies. They are not errors. They demonstrate exactly what they are supposed to show...ie the design imparted to them from the die pair. One can make a case that the die itself is an error, but the coin is exactly what is is supposed to be...an inverse image of that die.
My icon IS my coin. It is a gem 1949 FBL Franklin.
<< <i>No it is also a numismatic definition, as defined by CONECA. (The Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America) >>
The definitions that I provided above are a result of careful study of those delineated by CONECA and the ANA. Die cracks are, by definition, errors, since they are categorical, unique, and are not the intent of the resultant coinage. Again, this differs from the artefacts of varieties, since varieties are (intentionally or unintentionally) the result of dies produced by the Mint in a specific form. Very often, the two are mixed up in definition, particularly since varieties may have occurred by both intentional and unintentional acts.
Die states refer to surficial conditions that prevail in the early, middle, and late production of coinage from a die. Specifically, die states refer to the erosive state of the die surface as a whole. This is indicated by the depth and extent of flow lines in the die nd the sharpness/integrity of devices. Die cracks, such as those found commonly in large cents and bust halves, are secondary markers that are indicative of die state, and do not solely indicate the die state. Coins showing the results are die cracks can occur in any die state, therefore cracks are not strictly indicative of state.
Hoot
I agree.
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<< <i>All coins struck from flawed dies will exhibit the results of those flawed dies. They are not errors. They demonstrate exactly what they are supposed to show...ie the design imparted to them from the die pair.
I agree. >>
Not all flaws are equal ("flaw" being a very large category).
Hoot
Edited for spelling