1974-D Typical Die Clash TDC-1C-1974D-01

Description

Documented by MadDieClashes as TDC-1c-1974D-01, this typical die clash variety on the 1974-D Lincoln Memorial cent demonstrates that die clashes can occur even when the dies are not perfectly parallel — a condition known as a tilted die clash. A die clash occurs when the obverse and reverse dies come together without a planchet between them, each die impressing portions of its design into the opposing die's working surface. The resulting clash marks then appear as incuse impressions in the fields of every subsequent coin struck from the affected die pair. On TDC-1c-1974D-01, the clash is described as abraded, meaning that Mint personnel detected the clash damage and attempted to polish the affected die surface to remove the transferred impressions before returning the die to production. Die abrasion — typically accomplished with a fine abrasive stone or polishing compound — can successfully remove shallow clash marks, but deeper impressions may survive the treatment in diminished form. In this case, the only clearly apparent remaining clash mark is the impression left by the right cornice corner of the Memorial building, along with the vertical element leading up to the roof. Ordinarily, a clash mark in this area would indicate a strong, deep clashing of the dies, since the cornice corner is a prominent design element that requires significant contact pressure to transfer. However, the tilted orientation of the dies during this particular clash event produced a misleading result — the cornice impression survived abrasion not because the overall clash was severe, but because the tilted angle concentrated contact pressure at this specific point while other areas of the die experienced lighter or no contact. This variety is credited to Jean Lee, who submitted the specimen for documentation.

External References