2009 Atypical Die Clash ADC-25C-2009-01GU

Description

Cataloged by MadDieClashes as ADC-25c-2009-01GU, this 2009 Guam Quarter displays an unabraded moderately strong die clash — meaning the transferred design elements have not been polished away by subsequent die maintenance, preserving the full clash impression as it appeared immediately after the die-to-die impact event. On the obverse, the mid-portion of the island of Guam is visible from Washington's jaw down to his neck, with the southern side of the island traced through Washington's ear and down into his queue (ponytail). A small portion of the outrigger canoe from the Guam reverse design can be seen extending from the neck area into the upper part of the Y in LIBERTY. On the reverse, parts of Washington's hair, ear, and queue are visible as transferred clash elements from the obverse die. This bilateral clash — with both dies showing transferred elements — documents a forceful die-to-die impact that left comprehensive impressions on both working surfaces. The "unabraded" designation is particularly significant because many die clashes are subsequently ground or polished to remove the transferred design, destroying much of the evidence; here the full clash pattern survives intact. The 2009 Guam quarter is part of the DC and US Territories Quarters program, which extended the State Quarters concept to the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. The Guam reverse depicts the outline of the island, an ocean-going proa (outrigger sailing vessel), and a latte stone column — cultural symbols of the Chamorro people. Struck in copper-nickel clad composition (8.33% nickel, 91.67% copper) weighing 5.67 grams with a 24.26 mm diameter. The complex interaction between the territorial pictorial design and Washington's portrait creates an especially detailed clash pattern, with the island's geographic outline overlapping facial features in a way that is both diagnostically rich and visually compelling for error collectors.

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