1861 Indian Head Cent Die Clash (Obverse and Reverse, Ear and Wreath Transfer)

Description

On this 1861 Indian Head Cent, direct die contact transferred mirror images of each design onto the opposing face: Liberty's portrait and ear were impressed into the reverse die, leaving outlines in the wreath area, while the oak-and-laurel wreath transferred onto the obverse, appearing in relief in front of Liberty's face. The resulting ear ghost on the reverse and wreath ghost on the obverse are among the more prominent documented clash transfers for the early Indian Head series. The 1861 Indian Head Cent was issued at the outbreak of the Civil War, when heavy public hoarding of copper cents drove severe shortages that spurred the introduction of two-cent pieces and nickel three-cent pieces in subsequent years. The 1861 Indian Head Cent is a copper-nickel alloy (88% copper, 12% nickel) issue. The clash marks provide a vivid illustration of Civil War-era die maintenance at the Philadelphia Mint. A die clash is visible on both sides of this 1861 Indian Head cent. A die clash occurs when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them. 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.