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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,952 |
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New Member
United States
41 Posts |
I recently acquired an 1860 Seated Liberty half dollar, and noticed some sort of imperfection on the obverse near liberty's arm (zoomed picture below, in the small gap between the arm and the pole). I'm new to the hobby and hoping to expand my knowledge a bit. Would I be correct to call this a "die break" or is it something else?   |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2843 Posts |
Looks like it is proper placement for a die clash. I googled for an overlay image, but I am not sure about violating copyright rules if I post it here.
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New Member
 United States
41 Posts |
Interesting, I googled around and found an overlay image after your response, that is right on the edge of where the eagle's legs would be on the reverse, but I think the line is in the wrong direction? That also made me notice that there is some strangeness near the knee/drapery (pictured below). I have no idea if that's consistent with a die clash or not.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
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New Member
United States
41 Posts |
Actually, looking at that area on the reverse, there is some sort of mark (I'd assumed it was a scratch) where that arm would be, and a dark mark in the shield near the top of the leg. If it was a die clash, would we expect to see evidence on both sides of the coin? Or do they shuffle around the die pairings?   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2843 Posts |
Looking at the whole picture here, including the anomaly protruding leftwards from the left hand (our right) of liberty. I still think a die clash, but I can see how a die chip would be responsible for the issue that you mentioned.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
The best example I have of die clash is an O-109a 1810 half dollar. Mine is very worn but you can see the shadow of eagle wings on the obverse and the outline of Liberty's head on the reverse. Here's a high grade example, well photographed. The clash is so strong that you can read ER from Liberty's headband on the reverse under the eagle's right wing, and a couple letters of PLURIBUS on the obverse under Liberty's bottom hair curl. http://maibockaddict.com/1810-o-109The raised spot on your coin looks too deep to be a clash IMO. "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
05/04/2017 12:01 pm
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New Member
United States
41 Posts |
Thanks for the responses, by the way! Even if we don't have enough evidence to conclude one way or another on this coin, I've already learned a bunch of new things as a result of this thread...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2843 Posts |
Quote:
If it was a die clash, would we expect to see evidence on both sides of the coin? In my findings, not necessarily. Quote:
The clash is so strong that you can read ER from Liberty's headband on the reverse. Not all die clashes are created equal. I have seen many Morgan dollars that have clash marks to the left of the right wreath, without the famous "clashed E". Sometimes the mint workers would have attempted to file away the clashes, but missed out on the smaller ones. Quote:
The raised spot on your coin looks too deep to be a clash IMO I will concede you that. It does seem to be a bit too "deep". |
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New Member
United States
41 Posts |
Here's my amateur attempt at an overlay image for this coin:   Is it just me, or does the mark in the upper reverse field from the A in "STATES" to just below the O in "OF" line up with the base of liberty in the obverse? Also, there's a mark going up from the left (our left, eagle's right) wing that seems to line up as well... I might be seeing things though. Edited by Procrustes
05/04/2017 12:29 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2843 Posts |
 The presence of what appears to be die polishing, adds to the clash narrative. |
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New Member
United States
41 Posts |
@thq: wow, that clash is very visible! Absolutely great example for a newbie like me, thanks!
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New Member
United States
41 Posts |
Link to the Heritage auction archive for this coin, in case a higher resolution picture is useful: https://coins.ha.com/itm/seated-hal...ption-071515Based on my reading of the forum rules, I think it's fine for me to post that... I wasn't sure how to get permission. Sorry if I'm wrong about that! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1432 Posts |
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New Member
United States
41 Posts |
@jeffrose: very cool, I had no idea a clashed die could be that obvious--the entire wing is outlined in the obverse field! To the extent there is clashing on mine, it's certainly much more subtle...
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Nice overlay and great coin, jeffrose.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,952 |
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Posted 05/04/2017 11:25 am
