1982 (P) Lincoln Memorial Cent - Bronze Large Date - Atypical Die Clash ADC-1C-1982-CU-01

Description

ADC-1c-1982(LD-Cu)-01 is an atypical die clash on a 1982 Large Date Lincoln Memorial cent from Philadelphia, in the copper alloy that MDC calls copper/zinc, cataloged by Mad Die Clashes. It first looks like a coin double struck by two different die pairs with a strong clash, but MDC concludes it is a clash struck through foreign material. MDC's overlays show the dies rotated about 11° from each other when they clashed. On the obverse, the gaps where the columns should be vary in width, parts of TY in LIBERTY are thin or missing, and the clash marks have odd shapes and texture; some reach Lincoln's collar and neck, and one crosses his lips and chin. The roof line clashed through the date, nearly wiping out the 1 and touching part of the 9. Pieces of silvery metal are embedded, with a large patch above the 8, and a dent marks where one piece probably came loose as the coin dragged against the collar on the second strike. On the reverse, damage crosses bays 1 to 3, the field above the roof is damaged, and silvery particles are embedded. The copper is peeling in places, including by CENT's T, much like a lamination peel. From the coin in hand, MDC concludes something else was in the striking chamber when the clash happened, most likely a broken-off piece of a feeder finger. Its material wrapped around the field areas and thickened them unevenly, so the clash marks went deeper than usual, and where it was pushed into incuse design elements it erased them fully or in part. Fragments of it were struck into both faces. MDC's author and Mike Diamond agree this is the most likely explanation. The coin is in Mike Diamond's collection.

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