1983 D Penny United States Of America

Die Deterioration

Overused die.

It is die wear. Thus the devices are moving towards the rim. On Die Deterioration you will either see the fields affected, or the Ridge Ring forming as the die ages even more.

So what is the difference between die wear and Die Deterioration. Well I have mentioned this before. I refer to die wear on coins struck on dies with the multi hub process. I refer to Die Deterioration on the single squeeze dies. The differences? The die wear happens on all dies, but the pattern of die wear is different. On the single squeeze dies, the fields are affected. On the multi hub dies, the devices are affected. The devices make a run towards the rim. While the single squeeze dies the area next to the devices move towards the rim, then we see ridge rim. On this year, they were the multi hub die dies. Thus as the die ages, we see the devices moving towards the rim. As this happens there is a little rise as the die gets into it later die states. Here is an example of die wear through to where the devices touch the rims:

Because Miss K posted her coin, it was the one I needed to show how these devices move towards the rim. Thanks for question today. It will help those in collecting from this time forward.

Note on the Die Deterioration, the fields are affected, while the devices are not affected:


Again note how the devices are normal, but the fields are altered:

The DDD is towards the closest rims. On the date to the right, on the Liberty to the left and on the other devices on the coin that encircle the rims, they are always towards the rims.


This not just on cents, but on all of the single squeeze dies:




So the devices on the single squeeze dies are not affected, on the multi hub dies, are affected. On the single squeeze dies, it is always the fields that are affected first. So that is the difference between the differences in dies. That is the reason I call die wear on the older style dies, and Die Deterioration Doubling on the single squeeze dies. Why does it happen that way? The profiles are different. The older style dies had a higher profile and the single squeeze dies have a lower profile. On affect the devices, and one affects the fields. That is the difference.

CoopHome: Differences between die wear and Die Deterioration?

No, they are worth 1 cent. They are not considered an error.

But to understand what is going on with your coin, I made this presentation for all to benefit from. Your image got the ball rolling for this discussion. It will have lots of view from now on. With this presentation, Note it helps to show the difference between die wear and Die Deterioration Doubling. ( DDD) Knowing this information helps us to identify what we are seeing, so that they can move on to the next coin. Thanks again your images.