2017-D Atypical Die Clash ADC-25C-2017D-01-EI

Description

Cataloged by MadDieClashes as ADC-25C-2017D-01-EI, this atypical die clash variety was struck on a 2017-D Ellis Island National Park quarter produced at the Denver Mint as part of the America the Beautiful Quarters program running from 2010 through 2021. The quarter is composed of a copper-nickel clad composition — 8.33% nickel bonded to a pure copper core — weighing 5.67 grams with a 24.3 mm diameter and a reeded edge. Atypical die clashes differ from standard die clashes in that the dies meet at an angle or with lateral displacement rather than in their normal aligned position, transferring design elements to unexpected areas of the opposing die. On this specimen, the clash is a strong single-sided event visible exclusively on the obverse: part of the boy's hat from the Ellis Island reverse design by Justin Kunz is transferred onto Washington's cheek, the girl's bonnet appears below the chin, and the woven texture of the suitcase shows near Washington's eye, along with several other fine details from the immigrant family scene. No corresponding clash marks were identified on the reverse of the submitted example, which was housed in a PCGS holder, suggesting the reverse die may have been replaced or reconditioned before additional coins were struck. This coin was submitted to MadDieClashes by Leo Corpuz. The Ellis Island design, featuring a family of immigrants gazing at the Statue of Liberty, contains substantial fine detail in the figures and their belongings, making it particularly susceptible to producing identifiable clash transfers when the dies contact each other without a planchet. Single-sided atypical die clashes occur when one die absorbs the impact differently than the other, or when one die is subsequently lapped or polished to remove the clash evidence while the other retains it.

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