RRDC-1c-1864-01 Bisecting Rim to Rim Die Crack

Description

One of the most visually dramatic forms of die failure, a bisecting rim-to-rim die crack runs completely across the die face from one edge to the other, splitting the coin's design along the fracture path. Cataloged as RRDC-1c-1864-01, this 1864 Indian Head Cent is the first documented bisecting die crack for the date — a pivotal year when the series transitioned from copper-nickel (88% copper, 12% nickel) to bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc). Both compositions were struck in 1864, and the harder copper-nickel alloy placed greater stress on dies, potentially contributing to the severe cracking that produces bisecting fractures. A crack of this magnitude indicates extreme die fatigue — enough internal stress has accumulated that a fracture propagates entirely across the die face, and every subsequent coin carries a raised line tracing the full crack path. Bisecting rim-to-rim cracks are considerably scarcer than partial die cracks because most damaged dies are pulled from service before fractures extend completely across the face. RRDC-1c-1864-01 documents a die that survived long enough to develop this dramatic through-going failure.

Attribution History

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

External References