1902 Indian Head Cent Die Clash

Description

Struck during the penultimate decade of the Indian Head cent series, this 1902 cent exhibits a comprehensive die clash affecting both faces. On the obverse, the letter C from the reverse CENT legend is impressed as an incuse ghost in front of Liberty's eye — the characteristic marker of obverse clash transfer on Indian Head cents. On the reverse, the full front portrait of Liberty is clashed inside the right wreath, with headdress feathers also transferred into the reverse field. This is a complete clash event, with both dies receiving the other's design impression when they met without a planchet. The die pair producing this clash is distinct from the database entry TDC-1C-1902-01, confirming these are separate die pairs from the same year. The Indian Head cent was designed by James B. Longacre and struck in bronze from 1864 through 1909. Die clashes were relatively common during the Mint's high-volume production as press speeds increased. The legibility of the portrait transfer — facial outline plus headdress feathers — places this among the more visually complete clash examples documented for the 1902 issue.