DC-1c-1952-03 Die Chip

Description

The third cataloged die chip for the 1952 Philadelphia Lincoln wheat cent, DC-1c-1952-03 documents a small raised area on the coin's surface where a fragment of the die face broke away during production. When a die chip occurs, the resulting cavity in the die fills with metal during each strike, producing a raised lump on the finished coin — a defect that appears on every subsequent coin from that die until the damaged die is removed from service. Die chips are classified as minor die breaks, distinguishing them from the larger rim cuds and interior die breaks that involve more substantial die failure. The 1952 Philadelphia Mint produced over 186 million wheat cents, wearing through numerous working dies during the production run and generating ample opportunity for the kind of microscopic steel fatigue that leads to die chipping. As a third-listed variety, DC-1c-1952-03 represents a different die and chip location from the two previously cataloged 1952 die chips. Attributed by Cuds on Coins.

Attribution History

• Discovered by JC Stevens
• Cross reference number: none. 09/01/2013.
• Expert attribution by Cuds on Coins

External References