1989 Atypical Die Clash ADC-1C-1989-05

Description

Described by MadDieClashes as a spectacular misaligned die clash, this 1989 Lincoln Memorial Cent is classified as an Atypical Die Clash where the dies were misaligned by at least five percent toward K-11 when they struck each other without a planchet between them. The misalignment produced clash marks offset from normal positions, creating dramatically displaced design element transfers that distinguish this piece from typical centered clashes. MadDieClashes considers it one of the strongest memorial clashes in their catalog, and the specimen is from the collection of J. Cuvelier. The year 1989 holds particular significance as the last year hand-punched mint marks were used — beginning in 1990, mint marks were placed directly on the master die, eliminating the individual hand-punching process standard since the earliest days of branch-mint coinage. Atypical die clashes are considerably scarcer than typical examples because they require two simultaneous anomalies: the planchet must fail to feed, and the dies must be misaligned during the strike. The five-percent displacement at K-11 indicates the obverse die shifted roughly toward eleven o'clock relative to the reverse.

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