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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;JeffC, post: 4570997, member: 90913&quot;]I really, really like your question!&nbsp; I understand it.&nbsp; You&#039;re not asking what a die clash is.&nbsp; In fact, the essence of your question shows you know what it is, but are having difficulties visualizing HOW it could happen, since the designs on the dies are incused.</p><p><br /></p><p>Let me start by saying I&#039;m NOT an expert (not in the least - by any stretch of the imagination) on the minting process.&nbsp; I&#039;ll just be starting the ANA course this fall.&nbsp; Having said that, once at a construction site, I saw a crane lifting a HUGE beam.&nbsp; It must have been over 30 feet long and 3 feet deep.&nbsp; The crane suddenly stopped and I saw the ends of the beam flop up and down, as if it was made of rubber! Boing, boing, boing! All metals can temporarily deform and &quot;give.&quot;&nbsp; I think gronnh20&#039;s explanations make sense.&nbsp; I would like to add that, sometimes, the chance combination of the 2 design orientations (obv &amp; rev) creates a perfect opportunity for a die clash.&nbsp; I tried to put it in a diagram.&nbsp; See below.&nbsp; The planchet is missing (of course) and a part of the blue die bends an infinitesimal amount (aided by the fact that there&#039;s a void space there on the red die) - just enough for the bottom die to puncture the top.[ATTACH=full]1131803[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>I think in addition to metal properties, the &quot;perfect storm&quot; chance combination of peaks and valleys on the opposing dies must play a big part also.&nbsp; I have this 1930 SLQ.&nbsp; Take a look at the dot to the left (our left) of her right knee.&nbsp; That&#039;s the &quot;E&quot; from E PLURIBUS UNUM.&nbsp; I&#039;m still scratching my head as to why the &quot;E&quot; from the reverse die would deform the obverse die but the Wings did no apparent damage.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1131809[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>Hope my explanation helps. If you come across other answers, please share.&nbsp; I&#039;m really interested in further details because I&#039;m confounded by the same thing you are.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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