1913 Typical Die Clash TDC-5C-1913-02

Description

Second typical die clash documented for the 1913 Buffalo nickel by the MadDieClashes attribution service, TDC-5C-1913-02 records an instance where the obverse and reverse dies struck each other without a planchet between them, transferring design elements from each die onto the face of its counterpart. James Earle Fraser's Buffalo nickel — featuring a composite Native American portrait on the obverse and a standing bison on the reverse — debuted in 1913 with two distinct reverse types: the Type 1 "Mound" design where the bison stands on a raised mound, and the Type 2 "Line" design where the mound was flattened to a straight baseline. This clash was documented on the Type 1 issue. Die clashing is a mechanical accident that occurs during high-speed production when the coin press cycles without a planchet feeding into the striking chamber — the two dies make direct contact, and the incuse design of each die impresses into the flat or raised areas of the opposite die. On Buffalo nickels, the most common clash transfer zones include the area around the bison's head on the reverse showing traces of the Native American portrait, and the field behind the Native American's neck showing elements of the eagle or bison design from the reverse. Philadelphia struck both Type 1 and Type 2 varieties in 1913, with combined production of approximately 30.99 million pieces. The MadDieClashes catalog uses the TDC prefix for typical die clashes (as distinguished from unusual or counter-clashes), and the 02 suffix indicates this is the second independently documented clash die for this issue. Collectors should examine both sides under 10-15x magnification for faint transferred design elements in the open field areas.

External References