Die Cracks

This Seated Liberty Half was recently won at an auction. Once it was photographed I had a chance to really look at it and the reverse die crack really impressed me. I can’t recall any discussion on the pros and cons of die cracks, so will ask your opinion. Do you find die cracks objectionable or distracting? Would a die crack give you pause before making a purchase?

 

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Depends on the coin. Generally I think they give a bit of character. Also they are desirable if you are charting die life and stages

 

nice

 

It depends entirely upon what your collecting goals might be.

If you want an absolutely pristine, premium coin with fantastic strike, grade and eye appeal for say, your type set, then a coin with a die crack might not be the one you want.

OTOH, if you are a date and mintmark collector of a series, you may not have a choice for a particular date and/or MM since the only coins available might have a die crack.

A third choice is if you are a die variety and/or die state collector, in which case you absolutely are desirous of collecting coins with die cracks.

And a fourth choice is just if you find die cracks, clashes, and other types of early minting issues part of the coin's charm.

I happen to fall into all four categories depending upon which of my collecting categories is being discussed.

 

I'm in the @Publius2 4th category. Most of the coins I collect are pretty common, so when I find a crack or clash it adds uniqueness and interest. I can understand where a lot of collectors fall into the first category.

 

Very nice!

 

I'm not into errors nor varieties, but always find them interesting when I stumble upon one.

 

Nice to have and better to find one but I don’t build my collection around them.

 

Here is an 1843 with interesting die cracks on the reverse. I like it.

 

I think that due was close to shattering. Nice example.

 

I enjoy a nice crack.

 

@Publius2 pretty much spoke for me also. Collecting Overton and VAM varieties can be very rewarding.

 

How about a bunch of cracks.

 

What is the grade?

 

The die crack does not distract from the beauty of the coin. A win win for you, great. Definitely a keeper, thanks for the look-see.

 

I don't think I've ever seen a coin with that many die cracks. I can't even count them all.

 

I love Standing Liberties. I've only got to that are about worn out. I did get the 2016 Gold Standing Liberty Quarter. Thanks for showing us your special die crack Standing Liberty.

 

I think die cracks, clashes and the such, add interest and history to the coin, so it might even be a reason I'd bid or buy a coin.
The clash on this coin was the only reason I bought it.

 

A die crack is part of a variety. Whether it is an r1 or r7 it is a variety. That crack might make that hundred dollar coin worth a thousand. Who cares?