1901 Typical Die Clash TDC-1C-1901-01

Description

Cataloged by MadDieClashes as TDC-1c-1901-01, this 1901 Indian Head Cent exhibits an unusual die clash originating from a tilted die — a clash event where the obverse and reverse dies were not parallel when they struck each other without an intervening planchet, producing transferred design elements at non-standard positions compared to a typical centered clash. The overlay analysis shows the approximate location of the dies when the clash occurred, demonstrating the angular offset between the two die faces at the moment of impact. On the obverse, the C from CENT is visible clashed in front of Liberty's nose, which is the characteristic transfer point for Indian Head Cent clashes where the reverse C sits directly opposite the facial area of the obverse portrait. On the reverse, the outline of Liberty's features appears clashed as a line running from the O of ONE through the C of CENT and down to the leaf to the left of the bow — a transferred impression tracing a continuous path across multiple reverse design elements. This coin was submitted to the MadDieClashes catalog by Bob Russell, contributing to the systematic documentation of die clash varieties across the Indian Head Cent series. Designed by James Barton Longacre, the Indian Head Cent features Liberty wearing a Native American feathered headdress on the obverse and an oak wreath with shield on the reverse (from 1860 onward). Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1901 in bronze composition (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc), the coin weighs 3.11 grams with a diameter of 19.05 mm. The tilted die origin of this clash makes it distinct from the more common straight-on clashes documented across the series, as the angular offset produces transferred elements at positions that deviate from the standard bilateral clash geometry.

External References