SHD-1c-1863-02R Shattered Die

Description

Second in the reverse shattered die catalog for the 1863 Indian Head Cent, SHD-1c-1863-02R documents another instance of comprehensive die fracturing from a separate working die than its predecessor. Each shattered die variety represents a unique failure event on a distinct die, as the specific pattern of intersecting cracks is unrepeatable — determined by the individual die's metallurgical characteristics, stress history, and the random propagation paths of fatigue fractures. Cataloged by Cuds on Coins, this business strike was produced at Philadelphia during one of the most demanding years in Mint history. The Civil War had triggered widespread coin hoarding, creating acute shortages that forced the Mint to maximize output with available dies. The 1863 Indian Head Cent was struck in copper-nickel — 88% copper and 12% nickel — an alloy whose resistance to deformation under the coining press transmitted punishing forces into the die face. Two reverse shattered dies for a single date confirms that catastrophic multi-crack failure was not an isolated anomaly but a recurring consequence of the extreme operational conditions at Philadelphia during the conflict years.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Chuck Newman
• Cross reference: none. 02/21/2019.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References