1990 Radical MAD Die Clash MDC-1C-1990-01

Description

A radical MAD (Misaligned Die) die clash occurs when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them while the dies are significantly misaligned — rotated, laterally offset, or both — transferring design elements to the opposing die in positions far removed from where they would appear during normal striking. MDC-1C-1990-01 on the 1990 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial cent documents a radical-grade event, meaning the misalignment exceeded the moderate threshold typically associated with standard MAD clashes and entered the territory of severe angular rotation (commonly 30 degrees or more) or substantial lateral displacement. The transferred design elements appear as incuse impressions on the struck coin: obverse features (Lincoln's portrait, LIBERTY, the date) are embossed into the reverse surface, and reverse features (the Memorial building, E PLURIBUS UNUM) into the obverse, but in positions displaced by the degree of misalignment. Radical MAD clashes are considerably scarcer than typical die clashes because the extreme misalignment that produces them usually triggers the press's safety mechanisms or is caught by operators before significant production occurs. The 1990 date adds historical context to this variety — it was the first year the Mint applied mint marks at the master die stage, modernizing one aspect of die production while the ancient mechanical phenomenon of die clashing continued unabated. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint on a copper-plated zinc planchet (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) at 2.5 grams and 19mm diameter.

External References