1942 Typical Die Clash TDC-10C-1942-01

Description

The first typical die clash documented for the 1942 Mercury Dime, TDC-10C-1942-01 records a planchet-less impact between the obverse and reverse dies that left ghostly incuse impressions of each die's design on the opposing die surface. In a typical die clash, the dies meet in their standard face-to-face alignment — without the rotational offset or tilted angle that would characterize an atypical clash — and the resulting phantom images appear at predictable locations corresponding to where each die element would contact the opposing die. On the obverse, traces of the reverse fasces and olive branch may appear, while the reverse may carry phantom impressions of Adolph A. Weinman's Winged Liberty head. The 1942 Philadelphia Mint issue had a substantial mintage of 205,410,000 dimes, struck in 90% silver at 2.50 grams on a 17.9mm planchet. This was one of the final years of the full-silver Mercury Dime — the series would end in 1945, replaced by John R. Sinnock's Roosevelt Dime in 1946. High wartime production volumes subjected working dies to intense demand, and a die clash during rapid striking would have been a brief interruption before production resumed. Cataloged by MadDieClashes. Examine both sides under angled lighting for the faint incuse ghost images transferred during the die-on-die impact.

External References