Type I Counter Clash (CC1)
A Type I Counter Clash is a "clash of a clash": a die's own design, sent back to it by way of the opposing die. A normal die clash first leaves clash marks on each die, and those marks become part of that die's unintended design (Mad Die Clashes). If the dies clash again, those clash marks are pressed back into the die they came from, at a position offset from the design element that made them. Coins struck afterward show a displaced echo of their own side's design. Mike Diamond describes the Type I counterclash as close, raised doubling that occasionally results from multiple, staggered clashes (search).
How Does It Happen?
The Type I counter clash mechanism requires a specific sequence of events:
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Primary clash: The obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet. This is a standard die clash. Incuse impressions of the obverse design are now on the reverse die face, and incuse impressions of the reverse design are on the obverse die face.
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Coins are struck: The clashed dies strike coins normally. Each coin carries raised (relief) clash marks -- the incuse marks on the die produce raised marks on the coin, just as the incuse design on a normal die produces a raised design on a normal coin.
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Second clash event: The dies clash again without a planchet, in a different relative position from the first time. The clash marks now on each die are pressed back into the die whose design produced them.
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Counter clash marks appear: Coins struck after the second clash show the returned marks: an image of the die's own design elements, shifted from where those elements sit. Error-Ref and Mad Die Clashes note that the shift may be small or large, depending on how the dies sat in each of the two clashes.
The result is a complex layering. On the obverse of a coin with a Type I counter clash, you see:
- The normal obverse design (strong)
- Primary clash marks from the reverse design
- Counter clash marks: parts of the obverse design returned via the reverse die (often weak)
The counter clash marks are the obverse design sent back to itself in two steps. They appear as displaced echoes of the obverse's own design elements, which is why they can be mistaken for doubling.
How to Identify a Type I Counter Clash
Type I counter clashes are subtle and require careful examination:
- Secondary images: Look for design impressions that are distinct from, and in addition to, any primary clash marks present. They are often weak.
- Same-side design echoes: The counter clash marks on the obverse are derived from the obverse's own design (reflected back through the reverse die). This means you see echoes of the obverse design on the obverse, rather than the reverse design. The same applies in reverse on the reverse side.
- Displacement: The counter clash marks sit offset from the design elements that made them. The offset depends on how the dies were positioned in each clash, and it can be small or large.
- Raised, like doubling: On the coin the marks are raised, and close offsets can look like doubling of the design.
- Magnification: Because the marks are usually weak, a loupe and low-angle directional lighting help.
Counter Clash vs. Primary Clash
| Feature | Primary Clash Mark | Type I Counter Clash Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Opposing die's design | Opposing die's clash marks (of same side) |
| Strength | Weak to strong | Often weak |
| Design origin | Shows the OTHER side's design | Shows an echo of the SAME side's design |
| Position | Standard clash position | Offset from the source design element, by a small or large amount |
Notable Examples
Lincoln Cent Counter Clashes
Lincoln cents supply most of the Type I counter clashes catalogued by Mad Die Clashes, with files from 1970-D through 1999, including five for 1983 and four for 1988.
Nickel and Dime Counter Clashes
Mad Die Clashes also lists Type I counter clashes on Jefferson nickels (1966, 1981 and 2000) and on Roosevelt dimes from 1974-D to 2001.
Kennedy Half Dollar Counter Clashes
Two 1983 Kennedy half dollar dies are in the Mad Die Clashes Type I list; Error-Ref links one of them as its example.
Quarters and World Coins
The same list includes a 1919-S Standing Liberty quarter, a 2007 Montana state quarter, and world coins from Germany (1916-F), Spain (1959) and Canada (1949).
Collecting Tips
- Expertise required: Counter clashes are an advanced collecting specialty. Building the skill to identify them requires extensive experience with primary die clashes first. Master typical and atypical clashes before attempting counter clash attribution.
- Specialized references: Mad Die Clashes (maddieclashes.com) keeps a file list of Type I and Type II counter clashes, and Error-Ref.com defines both types.
- Imaging equipment: A stereo microscope and macro photography make it much easier to document counter clashes and compare them with other coins from the same die.
- Primary clash as prerequisite: A Type I counter clash needs at least two clashes, so primary clash marks will normally be present too. Start by identifying the primary clash, then examine the same coin for the returned marks.
- Patience and lighting: Rotate the coin slowly under a single-point light source to reveal weak counter clash marks. Shallow marks appear and disappear as the light angle changes.