1960-D Atypical Die Clash ADC-1c-1960D(SD)-30

Description

Cataloged as ADC-1c-1960D(SD)-30, this atypical die clash variety occurs on a 1960-D Small Date Lincoln Memorial Cent. Atypical die clashes differ from standard die clashes in that they result from the dies coming together at an unusual angle — a tilted die clash — rather than meeting in their normal parallel alignment. This tilted contact creates an asymmetric pattern of transferred design elements that differs from the symmetric clash marks produced during standard flat clashes, making atypical die clashes a distinctive and specialized collecting category. The technical notation 3D / 1D indicates the relative severity of clash evidence across different die face zones. Different levels of clash marks are visible in the area below Lincoln's bust, transferred from the word STATES on the reverse die — meaning the reverse's STATES inscription was pressed into the obverse die face at an angle, leaving letter impressions at varying depths across the clash zone. Extra thickness visible in the "bar" through STATES indicates that more than one die clash event occurred in this area, with successive impacts building up the transferred design impression. The variety can also be recognized by the associated RPM — a D mintmark with both upper and lower split serifs, providing a secondary attribution point independent of the clash marks. The 1960-D Small Date Lincoln Memorial Cent was struck at the Denver Mint in 95% copper composition (the final year of this specification before the 1962 alloy revision) weighing 3.11 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter. The Small Date versus Large Date distinction for 1960 cents is itself a major collecting focus, and this atypical die clash adds an error variety dimension to the Small Date subset. Frank Gasparro designed the Memorial reverse that is the source of the transferred STATES clash, while Victor David Brenner's obverse portrait received the transferred impression.

External References