1988 Type I Counter Clash CCLTI-1C-1988-01

Description

A counter clash occurs when dies clash multiple times, causing a design element transferred during the first clash to be re-transferred back to the originating die during a subsequent clash — essentially creating a clash of a clash. This 1988 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent, cataloged as CCLTI-1C-1988-01, exhibits a Type I counter clash formed through dual obverse and reverse die clash events. While some die abrasion appears on both surfaces, this surface maintenance appears to have occurred before the clashing events, meaning the clash marks were not subsequently polished away. The diagnostic feature lies in the nape of Lincoln's neck, where the clash mark from the second die impact shows the line from column 4 of the Memorial along with the impression left by the nape of Lincoln's neck during the first clash — a nested transfer where the original obverse design element was stamped onto the reverse, then stamped back onto the obverse during the second clash event. The reverse shows two sets of clash marks whose relative positions reveal the alignment of the dies to each other during each clashing event. Counter clashes are among the most mechanically complex die varieties, requiring the collector to reconstruct a sequence of multiple die-to-die contacts to understand the overlapping transferred images. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint on copper-plated zinc planchets at 2.5 grams and 19mm.

External References