1983 Type I Counter Clash CCLTI-1C-1983-01

Description

Documenting the first Type I counter clash cataloged on the 1983 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent, CCLTI-1C-1983-01 preserves the diagnostic evidence of a doubled die clash event where the obverse and reverse dies struck each other without a planchet between them on two separate occasions at different angles. In a Type I counter clash, the first clash transfers incuse impressions of one die's design onto the opposing die's face. When the dies clash again at a shifted angle, those transferred impressions are stamped back onto the originating die in a displaced position — creating "counterclashed" design elements that appear where they should not exist. On this variety, the areas in front of Lincoln's head and below the Y of LIBERTY on the obverse display design elements that were counterclashed from the reverse — including portions of ONE CENT and the Memorial roofline. The dies were abraded either before the clash event or inadequately afterward, as the clash marks survived the polishing process and transferred to struck coins. On the reverse, the entire outline of Lincoln's head is visible as an incuse clash impression. These ghostly transferred design elements provide compelling physical evidence of the multi-step clash mechanism and make counter clashes among the most mechanically fascinating of all die varieties. Attribution by MadDieClashes. What is of critical interest is the area in front of Lincoln’s head and the area below the Y of LIBERTY; both sow design elements that were clashed onto the reverse die during the first clash event and then transferred back to the obverse die. The red arrows on the reverse show the first clash event which was later clashed back onto the obverse die during the second clash event.

External References