1989 Floating Die Clash FDC-1C-1989-01

Description

One of the most remarkable clash varieties known on the Lincoln Memorial cent, the 1989 Floating Die Clash FDC-1C-1989-01 documents a dramatic production accident in which a large fragment from the southeast quadrant of a die broke away from the die face, flipped over, and was struck by the hammer die against the anvil die — transferring incuse design impressions onto the surviving die surface in a reversed and displaced orientation. The result is extraordinary: the digits "89" from the date appear transferred onto Lincoln's nose, bounded by an impression of the rim gutter that marks the perimeter of the broken fragment. Only a few examples of this variety are known, making it one of the rarest die clash types in the Lincoln cent series. The floating die clash mechanism is distinct from standard clashes because the broken fragment acts as an intermediary between the dies, carrying design elements from one die face to an unexpected location on the opposing die. This variety is cross-referenced as LC-ND-31 in The Cud Book for Memorial cents and as CU-1c-1989-01 on Cuds on Coins. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm.

External References