I didn't think coins with die cracks were really worth much but I just saw that a 2005-D nickel with a die crack that looks like the buffalo was speared is worth quite a bit of money. Are there other coins out there with die cracks worth money?
I would say in general not really though there are some series exceptions. Liberty seated dimes that are collected by specialists, are collected by die state, and the die cracks are one of the major attributions.
In addition to die cracks, there can be die breaks that can be dramatic. My favorite is the 1811 half cent, C-1 variety which has a spectacular die break that progresses from a "perfect" die to a very rare die state with a rim break that fills from the rim to two of the obverse stars. The next die state has the rim break extending to four stars. These die breaks can add thousands of dollars to the price of the coin. I don't have one, but it is on my wish list.
Are die cracks worth money ? It depends on who you are talking to. Some people like them and collect coins that have die cracks. Other people look at coins with die cracks as being a damaged coin and wouldn't buy one for anything. Anyway you want to look at it, die cracks are a flaw. They are not supposed to be there. But some people like flaws. If that's what they like, more power to 'em.
I believe that this was determined to be a die gouge and not a die crack. Die gouges, die cracks, die clashes, and die condition are all a part of the minting processes. If the gouge/crack/clash is in a noticeable location then the coin can eventually be marketed. This "speared bison" was very popular when they were first discovered. That popularity has waned over time. A popular Morgan Dollar that has nothing more than a conveniently place die gouge is the 1921-S Thornhead. A popular Franklin Half Dollar that is nothing more than the result of a die clash is the 1955 Bugs Bunny. This coin was well marketed until folks relaized that this clash was not limited to the 1955 coin but could be found on ANY Franklin half except the proof coins. There are a series of Eisenhower Dollars that have a prominent mark on the temple of IKE's profile. These are called Talon Heads and they come in all shapes and sizes. There's the Jailhouse Lincoln. There are lots and lots of others that have been found and successfully marketed with the whole point being that the general coin collecting market is always on the lookout for "the Next Big Thing".
