1890 Indian Head Cent Die Clash

Description

A die clash variety on the 1890-P Indian Head Cent carries transferred design impressions on both faces — evidence that the obverse and reverse dies struck together without a planchet between them, impressing each die's design into the other. On the obverse, the wreath from the reverse and the C from CENT appear clashed in front of Liberty's eye, creating ghostly raised impressions in the field where the wreath design overlaps the obverse. On the reverse, a full front portrait of Liberty along with portions of her feathers transferred from the obverse, visible in the reverse field as incuse mirror-image impressions. The 1890-P Indian Head Cent was struck in bronze — 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc — at the Philadelphia Mint under James B. Longacre's design. Die clashes are produced when the striking mechanism cycles with no planchet in place; the force of two hardened steel dies meeting directly causes each die's raised elements to sink into the opposing die face, leaving the characteristic ghost impressions that define clash varieties. The presence of transferred elements on both faces confirms a full two-sided clash on this die pair.