RRDC-10c-1837-01 Bisecting Rim to Rim Die Crack

Description

Sharing the same catalog code as its Large Date sibling but appearing on the Small Date variety, this bisecting rim-to-rim die crack on the 1837 Seated Liberty Dime traverses the entire coin from one rim to the other. The Small Date variety is distinguished by a more compact, tightly spaced date font — a typographic distinction created by the use of a different date punch during die preparation. Both Large and Small Date varieties were produced during the Seated Liberty Dime's debut year of 1837, when Christian Gobrecht's new design replaced the preceding Capped Bust type. That both date-size varieties produced bisecting cracks in this inaugural year suggests the early Seated Liberty dies may have been vulnerable to catastrophic failure as die makers refined hubbing and hardening processes for the new design. Bisecting cracks divide the coin into two zones along the fracture path, leaving one of the most visually dramatic die failure signatures in numismatics. This Small Date specimen complements the Large Date bisecting crack, together documenting full-diameter failures across both 1837 sub-varieties. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Juan Aguerre
• Cross reference: none. 02/01/2014.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References