1986 Type I Counter Clash CCLTI-1C-1986-01

Description

Sourced from the collection of Joe Koelling, CCLTI-1C-1986-01 on the 1986 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent preserves evidence of four separate clash events — an unusually high count that makes this die pair one of the more complex counter clash specimens documented in the series. Two of the four clashes occurred at a rotation of approximately five degrees from the actual strike position, producing counter clash impressions that are offset from where normal clashing would appear. On the obverse, the back of Lincoln's head shows counter clash detail (indicated by black arrows in reference images), and two arc marks from the O in ONE are visible where reverse design elements transferred onto the portrait die during the clash events. The reverse tells a similarly layered story: rotated and normal clash marks appear within the Memorial bays, a vest line protrudes from the Memorial roof where Lincoln's obverse design clashed onto the reverse die, and strong clash marks concentrate in bays 3 and 4. Additionally, the counter clash of the Memorial building base appears rotated on the obverse, confirming the angular displacement of the clashing events. Counter clashes are distinct from standard die clashes in that design elements are transferred through an intermediary — typically a struck coin that remains between the dies during a subsequent striking, impressing one die's design onto the other through the coin itself. Struck at Philadelphia on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm, from the 1986 mintage of 4,491,395,493 cents.

External References