1869 Indian Head Cent Die Clash (Reverse, Full Face Transfer)

Description

Among the most visually dramatic die clash types known in U.S. coinage, this 1869 Indian Head Cent exhibits a full face transfer on the reverse — the complete face of Liberty from the obverse die has been impressed in mirror image onto the reverse die. A die clash occurs when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them, leaving each die bearing an incuse ghost of its counterpart's design. In ordinary clashes, only fragments of lettering or partial device outlines transfer. A full face transfer — in which every feature of the Indian's portrait migrates to the reverse — represents the extreme end of the severity spectrum, requiring a particularly forceful clash event. The 1869 Indian Head Cent was struck in bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) at the Philadelphia Mint, the fifth year of the bronze composition that replaced copper-nickel in 1864. Liberty wears a feathered headdress inscribed LIBERTY on the obverse, while the reverse carries an oak wreath with a shield at the top. The full face transfer makes this a premier error specimen of the Indian Head cent series.