2021 Typical Die Clash TDC-1C-2021-01

Description

Found by Chris Salling and cataloged by MadDieClashes as TDC-1c-2021-01, this 2021 Lincoln Shield Cent exhibits a typical die clash where the obverse and reverse dies struck each other without a planchet between them, transferring design elements between the opposing die faces. Parts of the shield design from the reverse are visible as clash remnants in the fields adjacent to the front and back of Lincoln's portrait on the obverse, and part of the U from UNUM can be seen near the bow tie area. The reverse shows a slight clash mark on the shield where Lincoln's portrait outline was transferred during the unobstructed die-to-die contact. Additional die markers include a spike head die crack — a crack emanating from the top of Lincoln's head that creates a raised spike-like protrusion — and a die crack along the top of the shield above the PLUR of PLURIBUS. The "typical" designation (TDC) distinguishes this from atypical die clashes (ADC) because the clash occurred with the dies in their normal rotational alignment, placing the transferred design elements in their expected mirror-image positions. The Lincoln Shield Cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 2021 in copper-plated zinc (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) weighing 2.50 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter, featuring Victor David Brenner's obverse portrait and Lyndall Bass's Union Shield reverse. The spike head die crack is a secondary die deterioration feature separate from the clash event itself, indicating this die was experiencing structural fatigue in the high-relief portrait area. Die clashes on Shield Cents produce distinctive transferred patterns because the shield's geometric design elements contrast sharply with the curved portrait features on the opposing die.

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