1985 Atypical Die Clash ADC-5C-1985-01

Description

Documented by the MadDieClashes attribution service as ADC-5c-1985P-01, this variety records a strong, unabraded die clash event on a 1985-P Jefferson nickel that produced one of the more dramatic clash mark patterns documented for the denomination. The original MadDieClashes description notes that an almost complete outline of Jefferson's profile can be seen on the reverse of the coin — a remarkably comprehensive design transfer where the deep-relief contours of Felix Schlag's three-quarter portrait impressed themselves into the Monticello reverse die during an empty-chamber strike, leaving a ghostly but nearly full-profile silhouette visible on subsequently struck coins. The unabraded condition means the Mint did not polish or abrade the clashed die surfaces before returning them to production, preserving the full detail of the transferred portrait imagery. This specimen is documented as being in the collection of David Strzalkowski. Philadelphia struck approximately 647.11 million nickels in 1985, and the strength of this particular clash — producing an almost complete profile outline rather than the fragmentary traces typically seen — suggests either an unusually forceful empty-chamber strike or multiple sequential clashes that progressively built up the transferred image depth. The near-complete profile visible on the reverse makes this variety more visually accessible than most die clashes, where collectors often struggle to identify fragmentary transferred elements. The strongest clash marks are concentrated around the field areas of the reverse where Jefferson's profile would project during a direct die-to-die impact, appearing as faint incuse lines that trace the forehead, nose, lips, and chin contours of the obverse portrait. Collectors should examine the reverse field near the left side of Monticello under 5-10x magnification for the transferred profile outline.

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