Good evening, everyone. I've been wondering - at what point (if any) do die scratches/die gouges become a recognized (or collectible) die variety? Are they just kind of accepted as normal die wear, die damage or die markers? Is there a point, a "cool factor" so to speak, where they become interesting to collectors, documented, attributable die varieties? I ask because I have a few BU 1970 D Kennedy Half Dollars with the same die markings on the reverse die. I noticed them while I was searching through my hoard for rusted die reverses - they all exhibit the same marks that give the reverse the look of a meteor shower. Most visible in hand are the large die scratches running through the ED of UNITED, the multiple scratches between AMERICA and DOLLAR, and the scratches running almost perpendicular to the rays. Obviously, imaging something like this is a bit of a challenge, so I will say I did my best for the moment, and if additional photos will help answer my question, I'm happy to try again. (entire coin) (closeup of the rays) (closeup of UNITED STATES) Thank you, and have a wonderful evening!
Very nice. I don't think they have a premium, but they are fun. I once found 39 out of 40 2006 nickels with the same die chip. The chip was in varying degrees of progression. These were all found in one mint roll. I kept them all.
Awesome question. Seems I remember someone talking about a 1970-D struck with rusted dies. I don't know if it is considered a variety or not. Is it? I think die lines, gouges and the like are a very important part of identifying different Varieties and other coins. just like a finger print. It's cool you got those KHD's with matching die. I have some LMC's that do. Its kind of like having sequential dollar bills. Not really any value added. They are a 'comes with the territory' thing of just making coin.
Thanks guys - I think my curiosity just got piqued from reading that thread on the rusted die reverses (I have a few different examples of each of two different types, one where the rust is primarily on the left side of the reverse die, and one on the right) as well as seeing an example of a Kennedy with an obverse die clash where the rays poked out from behind the portrait. As I was looking through my stash of 1970 D's, I came across these and just started wondering if that particular die was recognized/known for those specific markers. Just to be clear, not hoping to "strike it rich" with them - just always trying to learn a bit more.
Yep, that's what mine looks like (the one where most of the rust is on the right side, although there is also a bit by the D in UNITED as well as the star underneath that letter.
Well, from what I’ve read it’s something people know happens with 70D’s, but it’s not listed in a Cherrypickers Guide or anything. Which brings me back to why I asked my question in the first place - what constitutes a collectible die variety? Why do we collect and prioritize some, but not others? Are heavy die scratches or polish lines or gouges a recognized type of die variety, or just something we accept as “it happens.”
