1995 Radical MAD Die Clash MDC-1C-1995-03

Description

Radical misaligned die clashes represent the most extreme form of die clash variety — where the obverse and reverse dies not only met without a planchet but did so with one die significantly offset from its normal position, producing transferred design elements in unexpected locations. Cataloged as MDC-1C-1995-03 by MadDieClashes, this 1995 Philadelphia Lincoln Memorial Cent shows marks left by the reverse die clashing into the obverse die at a dramatic misalignment. Discovered by Tanaka Davis, the variety captures a production malfunction where the dies were far enough out of alignment that the transferred clash marks appear in positions not seen on typical (centered) die clashes. Radical MAD clashes are distinct from typical die clashes (TDC) because the misalignment creates asymmetric transfer patterns — portions of the reverse design appear on areas of the obverse die that would never contact the reverse under normal alignment, and vice versa. The 1995 Philadelphia cent was produced during the copper-plated zinc era at 19mm, pairing Brenner's Lincoln portrait with Gasparro's Memorial reverse. These radical misalignment events are uncommon because press operators typically catch severe misalignment before many coins are struck, limiting the population of such varieties. Examine the obverse for reverse design elements transferred at unusual positions reflecting the die's radical offset during the clash event.

External References