DOUBLED DIES – PIVOTED HUB DOUBLING To start, we should consider the term Doubled Die. The term is correct as stated, it is doubleD die, not double die. In creating a die, the blank die is heated, for softening, and then impressed with the master hub. After cooling, it is re-impressed to improve the details of the die. So, the die had the design elements pressed into the die twice. It is during this process that a doubled die is created. The term doubled die was created by Ken Bressett not long after the discovery of the 1955 doubled die (which will not be address here, since it is another type of doubled die). Think of the word double as a verb, the die is the noun. Therefore, the die has been doubled. If you think: the die has been doubled, then the correct term, doubled die is easy to remember. There are many types of doubled dies, called classes. They start with Class 1: ‘Rotated Hub Doubling’; Class II: Distorted Hub Doubling; Class III: Design Hub Doubling; Class IV: Offset Hub Doubling; Class V: Pivoted Hub Doubling; and others. Each Class of doubled die is specific and easy to determine once you know the difference in the way that they are created. At this time we will only look at pivoted hub doubling, we will address other types of true doubled dies at another time. Why start with a Class V? Easy, this is the type of doubling that created the 1995 Lincoln cent doubled die. As a doubled die with a high mintage, it is the one that may be most often found in circulation, for you roll searchers out there. And, as such, is a very popular piece. In fact, it is estimated that there may have been as many as 600,000 to one million pieces minted. With such a high mintage, you may be able to actually find one of these in your change or roll searches. I do know of one individual who has located five of them in the last two years. Sad to say, that individual was not me. Back to the discussion, with pivoted hub doubling, after the first impression, as we said, the die is reheated, for softening. This softening enables the master hub to be impressed into the die and make a better impression. [Note: The die is a negative of a coin, that is, the raised elements on a coin are inset into the die. The metal flow of the planchet flows into the incused areas of the die, and create the raised areas. So, also, the master hub, which creates the coin die, is a positive. As a positive, the raised areas are set incused into the die, and so it goes. Nothing great here, just a side note.] Okay, so we have a doubled die, but what, exactly is it? The die was placed into position, and the master hub, is impressed during hubbing. Again, after heating, the die is readied and the master die is readied for the second impression. At this point the master is placed into position, but... Instead (as is usual) of the second impression being ‘set’ exactly where the first impression was made the master is rotated slightly from a point along the rim. Look at it this way, the master hub is set correctly at three o’clock (on a clock face). Then, there is a very slight, almost imperceptible, move to the right or left. The three o’clock position is the pivot point. The final result will show that one side of the coin, at three o’clock is fine, that is, looks correct. But the side opposite, at nine o’clock will show two images. The side opposite the pivot point will show the most extreme doubling, in this instance, the word Liberty is opposite and will shown the greatest doubling. If the pivot point had been Liberty then the date would have shown the most doubling. The classic example of this form of doubling is the famous 1995 doubled die. The pivot point was at ABOUT (emphasis added, since it was actually slightly higher) 3 o’clock. As a result, the word Liberty has the most severe doubling (at 9 o’clock), and there is slightly less through the motto, In God We Trust. By the time that you look at the word We, there is little doubling, and after that there is almost none. Remember, as you approach the pivot point the doubling ‘slows down’ or is less perceptible. With this information, you should be able to recognize a pivoted hub doubled coin when you locate one. And, this is a good time to remind searchers, that the above information should make you realize that the searcher should examine all areas of the coin, not just the date, or you would have missed that nice 1995 doubleD die. Good luck searching. pictures to follow: In order the pictures are: 1995- the Date, at or very close to the pivot point. Note: No apparent doubling. ‘GOD’ of the Motto: In God We Trust, The doubling is apparent. ‘IN’ of Motto, the separation of the letters is more apparent, and stronger. ‘IBERT” of ‘Liberty” The doubling is strongest here. This is the point most opposite the pivot point, so the doubling should be the strongest.
A well done explanation of an area of numismatics, that is often misunderstood by both novice and even seasoned collectors. hobby.:thumb::thumb::thumb:
Good read - not trying to nic-pic - but my understanding of the following is slightly different. Quote "[Note: The die is a negative of a coin, that is, the raised elements on a coin are inset into the die. The metal flow of the planchet flows into the incused areas of the die, and create the raised areas. So, also, the master die, which creates the coin die, is a positive. As a positive, the raised areas are set incused into the die, and so it goes. Nothing great here, just a side note.]" A die is incused and a negative of the coin design - A Hub is in relief and a positive of the coin design.
In every case where you say "master die" you actually mean either master hub or working hub. Your description This sounds more like off-set hub doubling than pivoted hub doubling. I would suggest replacing "move to the left or right" with "rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise around that point." And the pivot point does not have to be on the rim, it can actually be located at any spot on the die face. For this reason, even though rotated hub doubling is given a separate class number it is really just a special case of pivoted hub doubling where the pivot point is in the exact center of the die face.
There are eight classes of doubled dies ,and a 9th class has been added for the new doubled dies the one squeeze effect . They don't know exactly what class to call the new finds. JC
Frank, terrific info. Thanks for your hard work typing this out and I look forward to your other installments yet to come. I thought you simplified this very well. Thank you!
I am guilty of referring to a hub as a die, do it all the time but if we are going to be particular on the "Doubled Die - Double Die" issue - maybe we should adopt this same standard for "hub - die". Just an analogy which may help. Think of an electrical extension cord which as a male end and female end. Think of a hub as the male end and a die as the female end.
Great information. I wish I had seen the 1995 doubled die example sooner. I have been looking at the date while roll searching. :headbang: It is nice to have explanations of what causes doubled dies to better understand them. Great thread. :thumb:
Frank you know your stuff! This was a GRRRR-ATE post! This helped me understand doubled dies a heck of a lot better, thank you so much.
frank, i aint no us coins expert.. but i like coins and coins pics... my thumbs up for yur passion about coins, noticing the doublin on a cent and then taking good pics and patiently coming with a wonderful artilce
