Typical Die Clash (TYC)

A typical die clash is the standard, most common form of die clash error. It occurs when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them while in their normal, properly aligned orientation. The resulting clash marks appear in their expected, predictable positions -- the reverse design's ghost image is centered on the obverse, and the obverse design's ghost image is centered on the reverse. Mad Die Clashes, which catalogs clashes by type, defines a typical die clash as one whose marks are the kind normally seen in that denomination's series, such as clash marks in bays 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9 of the Memorial on a Lincoln cent reverse. It notes that sorting typical from atypical is a judgment made against other clashes in the same series.

How Does It Happen?

Coin presses operate as automated, high-speed machines. For most of U.S. Mint history the obverse die has been the hammer die (the moving die) and the reverse die the anvil die, though some issues were set up the other way round (Error-Ref). The two dies are aligned precisely within the press. A feed mechanism delivers planchets into the collar between strikes.

When the feed mechanism fails to deliver a planchet but the press cycle continues, the dies strike each other in their normal, aligned positions. This is the defining characteristic of a typical die clash: the dies are properly centered and oriented relative to each other at the moment of contact.

The sequence of events:

1. The previous coin ejects normally after being struck
2. No planchet enters: The feed finger fails to push a blank into position, or the blank jams in the feeder
3. The press cycles: The hammer die descends and strikes the anvil die at full press tonnage
4. Normal-position transfer: Because the dies are in their standard alignment, the design elements transfer to predictable locations on the opposing die
5. Production continues: The dies separate, a new planchet feeds in, and striking resumes -- now every coin from those dies carries the clash marks

Mint personnel inspect dies at regular intervals. When clash marks are detected, the die is removed from the press and polished to remove the shallow impressions. Dies that receive light clashes can be saved and returned to service. Severe clashes that create deep impressions require die replacement.

How to Identify a Typical Die Clash

Typical die clashes are identified by the position and orientation of the transferred design elements:

• Predictable placement: The clash marks from the reverse appear centered on the obverse, and vice versa, roughly where the other side's design would sit if you could see through the coin. On a Lincoln Memorial cent reverse, they show up in the Memorial's bays.
• Correct orientation: The transferred image maintains the spatial relationship between the two die faces. If the top of the Memorial is at 12 o'clock on the reverse, the clash marks from the Memorial will appear at the corresponding position on the obverse.
• Mirror reversal: The clash marks are laterally reversed (mirror image) compared to the source design, because the die face carries the coin design in reverse.
• Mostly in the fields: On a die the field is the highest surface and the design is sunk into it, so the dies meet field to field. Clash marks therefore show mostly in the fields of the coin. Error-Ref describes the transferred design as raised on the die face, so on the coin it is incuse (sunken) and mirror-image.

Distinguishing Typical from Atypical Clashes

The critical diagnostic question is whether the clash marks are in their expected positions:

Notable Examples

Kennedy Half Dollar TYC

On Kennedy half dollars, parts of the reverse eagle design can appear in the fields around Kennedy's portrait. Mad Die Clashes lists typical Kennedy clashes from 1971-D and 1996, and Franklin half dollar clashes from the 1940s and 1950s. The large coin surface makes the clash marks easy to see and photograph.

Morgan Dollar Typical Clashes

The large Morgan dollar shows clash marks clearly. The VAM catalog records clashed dies as varieties and die states, for example the 1888-O VAM-1A and 1891-O VAM-1A "Clashed E" listings (search), and Mad Die Clashes cross-references VAM numbers for the Morgan and Peace dollar clashes it lists.

Lincoln Memorial Cent TYC

Lincoln Memorial cents (1959-2008) supply the longest list of typical clashes on Mad Die Clashes. On the reverse, the series' standard clash leaves marks from the obverse design in bays 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9 of the Memorial. They turn up often enough to make good starter pieces for new error collectors.

Roosevelt Dime Clashes

Roosevelt dimes also show typical clash marks; Mad Die Clashes lists examples from 1968-D to 2019-P. The small coin size calls for magnification to see the clash details.

Collecting Tips

• Accessibility: Typical die clashes are the most common kind of die clash, so examples are easy to find.
• Clash strength: Coins struck soon after the clash, before the die was polished, show the boldest marks.
• Die state documentation: Collectors of a specific series track the progression from first clash appearance through polishing and sometimes through additional clash events on the same die. Building a die state set tells the complete story of a die pair's life.
• Series sets: Building a set of typical die clashes from every denomination in a given era (cents through dollars, for example) is an achievable and satisfying collecting goal.
• Magnification: Use 5x to 10x magnification and low-angle directional lighting to reveal clash marks. The marks are shallow, so they become most visible when light catches their edges.
• Attribution: On Morgan and Peace dollars, a clashed die may carry its own VAM number or sub-variety letter.