Hello everybody. So as I've been clearing my pocket change I threw in my collection as a much younger YN, I've been looking mostly for errors and varieties. Of these probably the most common ones I found were die clashes or clash marks. Are these worth keeping? On pennies most the clashes are in between the columns like little clash marks of lincoln's bust. I also found lots of dimes with clash marks on the reverse particularly below the letters E ' PLU. Also I found a few dimes where there was a clash mark of an oak branch by Roosevelt's eye. Are any of these even worth keeping or are they just common from the late 20th century? Most of which are from the 80s. If you guys want some pictures to know what I'm talking about a little bit better I'll be happy to provide, just might take a little while. Thanks!
The clashes I've found more mainly from the year 1970-1976 cents. Depends on how much of a clash it is. Show some pictures. Would like to see them.
Die Clashes don't happen a lot but they do occur often enough that no extra or only a small premium is attached to them. They are fun to find and add to a collection as are other minor Mint errors.
With the high speed and noise level of the operation, a large number can occur before they show up in inspection break.
While die clashes are fairly common, I have to admit I'm not sure why they even exist. The presses SHOULD be adjusted so that at closest approach the dies should still be further apart than slightly less than the thickness of the blank. In theory the dies should never be able to reach each other, yet they do. And they still have enough travel to have the force to create impressions in each other.
I got this one in change a couple years ago. It in a way tells a story. The very highest points of the die are the very lowest points on the coin surface. Has anyone measured the difference in thickness between the two lowest points on both sides of a coin? I suspect it would be fairly thin.
I agree, very odd how they happen. Plus, shouldnt there always be a planchet when they strike? What would you say? should I keep the coins shown in the pictures?
There is supposed to be a planchet there , but sometimes the feeder malfunctions, or the hopper runs out, or the planchets jam up it the feeding assembly etc. I would suppose that if they haven't done so already it won't be too long before come up with a sensor that ensures a planchet is there, and if it isn't the press doesn't cycle. Possibly skip a strike cycle and repeat the feed cycle. Then after two or three feed cycles with no planchet appearing shut down the press and notify the operator.
