1978-D Type II Counter Clash CCLTII-1C-1978D-01

Description

Designated CCLTII-1C-1978D-01 and cataloged by MadDieClashes, this Type II Counter Clash on the 1978-D Lincoln Memorial cent was discovered by Greg Bowyer. A Type II Counter Clash is a specialized and relatively scarce form of die clash error that differs fundamentally from the more commonly encountered Type I. In a Type II Counter Clash, the sequence begins with a normal die clash event — the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them, transferring design elements from one die to the other. What makes it Type II is the subsequent step: when the reverse die (now carrying transferred obverse design elements from the clash) strikes an actual planchet, those transferred elements appear as raised impressions on the reverse of the coin. The result is obverse design detail appearing on the reverse — not as incuse impressions (which would indicate a simple die clash), but as raised features transferred through the intermediary clash. On this variety, the counter clash marks run through the upper portion of the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse, creating an unmistakable disruption of the architectural detail. Additional die damage is also present through the N of CENT. Photographic documentation was provided by Mike Diamond (upper five images) and J. Cuvelier (lower five images), with an overlay comparison appearing at the bottom of the reference images. Type II Counter Clashes are considerably scarcer than standard die clashes and are prized by error specialists for the unusual mechanism that produces them. Attribution by MadDieClashes.

External References