1950 Jefferson Nickel - RRDC-5c-1950-01R Bisecting Rim to Rim Die Crack

Description

Cataloged by Cuds on Coins as RRDC-5c-1950-01R and documented on February 1, 2014, this 1950 Jefferson Nickel exhibits a bisecting rim-to-rim die crack on the reverse — a complete structural fracture that traverses the entire die face from one edge to the other, more or less dividing the die face in two. The crack path traces through the second U in PLURIBUS, descends into the dome of Monticello, continues through the C of MONTICELLO and the E of CENT, and exits between the words STATES and OF — a diagonal trajectory that crosses multiple major design elements and inscriptions across the reverse face. Bisecting die cracks mark an advanced stage of die failure, yet dies often stayed in production with them, since such a crack usually shows only lateral spread and leaves the design on both sides level. No external cross-references to other cataloging systems are known for this variety. The Jefferson Nickel was designed by Felix Schlag with the Monticello reverse, struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1950 in standard copper-nickel composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) weighing 5.00 grams with a 21.21 mm diameter. The bisecting crack’s path through Monticello’s architectural dome provides a visually striking specimen where the linear fracture contrasts with the building’s curved roofline, creating an immediately recognizable diagnostic pattern.

Cross References

• Cross reference: none. The die crack can be seen through the second U in PLURIBUS, down into the dome of Monticello, through the C of MONTICELLO, the E of CENT and exiting between the words STATES and OF. 02/01/2014.

External References