1912 (S) Lincoln Wheat Cent Die Clash

Description

This 1912-S Lincoln Wheat Cent exhibits a particularly strong die clash on the reverse where most of the back of Lincoln's portrait transferred onto the reverse die face — an extensive clash impression indicating the obverse and reverse dies struck each other with significant force while no planchet was present between them. The strength of this clash, showing extensive portrait transfer rather than just fragmentary letter impressions, suggests a full-pressure strike between the die faces, which would have imparted deep impressions of the obverse portrait's head and shoulder contours into the reverse die's field area between and around the wheat stalks. Strong die clashes like this one are more visually dramatic than typical light clashes because the transferred design elements are deeper and more complete, making the ghostly portrait outlines readily visible on subsequent coins struck from the affected reverse die. The 1912-S Lincoln Wheat Cent was struck at the San Francisco Mint with a mintage of approximately 4.43 million pieces — a relatively low production figure that makes San Francisco cents of this era proportionally scarcer than their Philadelphia counterparts. The coin was produced in 95% copper composition (with tin and zinc) weighing 3.11 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter. Victor David Brenner designed the obverse portrait while the wheat ears reverse was created by the Mint's engraving staff. The combination of a strong, portrait-extensive die clash with the lower-mintage 1912-S date creates a variety that appeals to both error collectors interested in the dramatic clash and date collectors focused on the early San Francisco Lincoln Cent issues.