1874 Indian Head Cent Die Clash (Obverse and Reverse)

Description

A particularly dramatic two-sided die clash on an 1874 Indian Head Cent, this variety displays clash marks on both the obverse and reverse dies. On the obverse, the letter C from CENT on the reverse has been transferred in front of the Indian's eye, a clear ghost impression from the opposing die. The reverse is even more striking, preserving a full transfer of the front of the Indian's portrait onto the die surface — an especially complete clash impression that captures substantial portrait detail rather than the fragmentary letter transfers more commonly seen. Die clashes occur when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without an intervening planchet, impressing design elements from each die into the opposite surface. The full portrait transfer visible on this reverse makes it one of the more visually compelling clash varieties in the Indian Head series. Designed by James Barton Longacre and struck in bronze composition of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, the 1874 Indian Head Cent was produced at the Philadelphia Mint during the post-Civil War era.