Not to steal the EAC Region 8's thunder, but are die clashes common on 1798 S-164 Large Cents?
Longacre
Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
I was taking a look at the latest issue of the EAC Region 8 newsletter, and someone wrote in as follows:
"I was in the process of carefully examining, and re-grading (in some cases) and applying "Blue Ribbon" to the surfaces of my large cents in preparation to submit information for The Score. It was then I came across something quite unusual that I can't explain (based on my limited understanding on how large cents were struck). The coin in question is a 1798 S-164. Most of the surfaces in the field are very nice although there is some corrosion in the hair and across the face. It was then I spotted a very faint incuse "EMA" near the edge to the right of the neck precisely opposite of the AME of AMERICA on the reverse. I understand how later date mechanized dies could become "clashed" but it doesn't seem possible in 1798."
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Does anyone know how common die clashes are on the 1798 S-164 large cent? Any other reasons for this?
"I was in the process of carefully examining, and re-grading (in some cases) and applying "Blue Ribbon" to the surfaces of my large cents in preparation to submit information for The Score. It was then I came across something quite unusual that I can't explain (based on my limited understanding on how large cents were struck). The coin in question is a 1798 S-164. Most of the surfaces in the field are very nice although there is some corrosion in the hair and across the face. It was then I spotted a very faint incuse "EMA" near the edge to the right of the neck precisely opposite of the AME of AMERICA on the reverse. I understand how later date mechanized dies could become "clashed" but it doesn't seem possible in 1798."
***********
Does anyone know how common die clashes are on the 1798 S-164 large cent? Any other reasons for this?
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
In general, Blue Ribbon is an oil (it is not readily available and there are several imitators) that is generally used
with a camel hair brush to protect the surfaces of copper coins. It also gives them a bit of glossy look. It is an
accepted practice in the copper community. These brushes must be carefully prepared - I spent over 50 hours
brushing junk copper before trying it on a real copper. One noted EAC'er offered his brush for sale at $10,000.
Check out some of my 1794 Large Cents on www.coingallery.org
Die clashing is not uncommon on the S-164, The clashing appears on the obverse in the middle-to-late die states. Beginning with AME in AMERICA and progressing to AMERI or so. Die clashing is quite common in the early dates. Fortunately, I own two examples of the S-164 - a middle-late die state IV and earlier die State I. I've attached pictures of both. In addition to the clashing ( evidence of AME - but hard to see in the pic) in the lower right field near the bust/drapery tip and rim, you will notice the severe die swelling at the lower curls and die rust traversing the portrait and upper right field in the later die state. The earlier die state is almost perfect with no evidence of obverse clashing of AMERICA. Check out the Naftzger specimen that was offered in the September 2008 Goldberg Pre-Long Beach Sale. This is a later die state with more complete evidence of AMERI die clashing
S-164 Die State IV
S-164 Die State I
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)