1902 Typical Die Clash TDC-1C-1902-01

Description

Documented as TDC-1C-1902-01, this 1902 Indian Head Cent exhibits a typical die clash in unabraded state — meaning the clash marks have not been reduced by subsequent die polishing, preserving the full detail of transferred design elements. The coin was provided by George Finster for study. Struck in bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) at Philadelphia, this cent carries James B. Longacre's Indian Head design during the Progressive Era, approaching its final decade before the Lincoln Cent replaced it in 1909. Clash marks from the right branch of the laurel wreath are visible on the obverse, transferred when the dies struck each other without a planchet. Similarly, clash marks from the feather details and from Liberty's forehead are visible on the opposing side. The unabraded condition is significant because Mint workers often attempted to remove clash evidence by polishing the affected dies — a practice that reduced but rarely eliminated transferred impressions. When a clashed die escaped polishing, the resulting coins preserve the fullest expression of the clash event.

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