I was at my local coin dealer today searching for PEACE Dollars, and picked up a common date 1924. It's a beauty!! But I noticed a line/crack/scratch running through the eagle's neck on the reverse from the "B" to the "N" of "E-Pluribus-Unum" The line is raised above the coin, not indented like I would expect for a scratch. But I bought it anyway. I got a good deal. All the time thinking it may be a "cracked die" error I've heard about. However, I am unfamiliar with craked dies. But if I follow the logic of the naming convention, I would assume a "cracked die" would produce what I am seeing. I hope someone can give me their opinion and let me know if I am correct. BTW, are there premiums for cracked dies coins?
Most cracked die marks can be differntiated from scratches by the lack of metal pieces at the end of a crack. Cracks usually do not bring a premium unless the crack itself helps identify a particular variety of coin like the CSA seated half dollars in 1861.
I think jb's method is much simpler and more reliable. If it's a raised mark - it's a die crack. If it is incuse - it's a scratch or a strike through.
