1985 Atypical Die Clash ADC-1C-1985-01

Description

Cataloged by MadDieClashes as ADC-1c-1985-01, this 1985 Lincoln Memorial Cent exhibits an atypical die clash — a category reserved for clash impressions that fall outside the normal parameters for standard die clash classification but display characteristics too unusual to simply catalog as typical clashes. In bays 7 and 8 of the Lincoln Memorial reverse, unusual clash marks appear that overlay analysis suggests represent part of Lincoln's beard and throat from the obverse die, transferred during a strike without a planchet when the dies contacted each other. The degree of rotation is approximately 8 degrees with misalignment of about 5 percent — values that fall below the threshold for a MAD (misaligned die) clash entry but are sufficient to substantiate inclusion in the Atypical files. The obverse was void of any clash marks, indicating the clash forces were absorbed predominantly by the reverse die. This variety was discovered by Mark Britton. The 1985 Lincoln Memorial Cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in copper-plated zinc composition (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.50 grams on 19mm planchets. Atypical die clashes occupy a middle ground in the MadDieClashes classification system — more noteworthy than standard clashes but not dramatic enough for the radical MAD designation, making them valuable reference specimens for understanding the spectrum of clash phenomena.

External References