1861 Indian Head Cent Die Clash (Obverse and Reverse)

Description

A die clash is visible on the obverse of this 1861 Indian Head cent. A die clash occurs when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them, transferring faint impressions of one die's design onto the other. In this case, the impression of the "C" from CENT on the reverse die has been transferred to the obverse, appearing in front of the Indian's eye. On the reverse the forehead can be seen clashed below the "C" in "CENT." The 1861 Indian Head cent was struck during the first year of the Civil War, a period when cents were heavily hoarded, leading to increased die usage and a higher incidence of die deterioration errors.