1911 (S) Lincoln Wheat Cent Die Clash (Obverse — N)

Description

This 1911-S Lincoln Wheat Cent exhibits a die clash on the obverse where part of the reverse letter N from ONE CENT has been transferred between Lincoln's chin and bowtie. Die clashes occur when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them, imprinting elements of one die's design onto the opposing die face. This particular clash comes from a different die pair than the N-and-E clash and the reverse portrait clash also documented for the 1911-S date, confirming that multiple die pairs at the San Francisco Mint experienced clashing events during this production year. The Lincoln Wheat Cent, designed by Victor David Brenner (obverse, introduced 1909) with wheat ears reverse, was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc at 3.11 grams and 19.05 mm diameter. The 1911-S had a mintage of only 4,026,000 pieces, making it a lower-mintage early Lincoln Cent. Die clashes from this date are less commonly encountered than those from the higher-mintage Philadelphia issues, where more dies were in service and statistical probability of clashing events was greater. Collectors should examine the area between Lincoln's chin and bowtie under magnification to identify the incuse N impression transferred from the reverse die.