DC-1c-2002D-01R Die Chip

Description

The first cataloged reverse die chip for the 2002-D Lincoln Memorial cent, DC-1c-2002D-01R documents a raised metallic lump on the reverse where a small fragment of the die surface broke away during production at the Denver Mint. The "01R" suffix identifies this as the inaugural reverse die chip variety for this date and mintmark combination. Die chips occur when microscopic fractures in the hardened die steel cause a fragment to separate, leaving a shallow cavity that fills with metal under striking pressure and transfers as a bump on the coined surface. Every coin struck from the affected die after the chip formed carries the same raised defect, until the die was eventually detected as damaged and retired from the press. Denver's 2002 cent production consumed numerous working dies over the course of the year, and die chips represent one of the more frequently encountered minor die failures across any high-volume production run. Attributed by Cuds on Coins, this variety holds the primary catalog position for reverse die chips on 2002 Denver cents.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Vivien Bullard
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References