MDC-1c-1997-01a, b & c

This remarkable 1997 cent shows three widely separated misaligned die clashes on the obverse face. The strongest clash mark extends through and past the front of Lincoln’s coat. An incuse trace of the letter C from AMERICA can be seen along the inner margin of the raised impression from the edge of the field portion of the die. This shows that this clash mark is from a die that was horizontally misaligned about 15%, vertically misaligned, and rotated about 20 degrees clockwise.

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MDC-1c-1997-01a

A second misaligned die clash can be seen between the design rim and the base of Lincoln’s bust.  The bottom of the letters “TES” from STATES can be seen here. 

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MDC-1c-1997-01b

The last clash mark is very faint and takes the form of a short ridge in the middle of Lincoln’s coat.  Consult the overlays for the extent and direction of the horizontal and rotated misaligned clash marks.

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MDC-1c-1997-01c

Further analysis of this coin shows that the clash mark emerging from the front of Lincoln’s bust could also represent a pivoted die error, rather than a combination of a horizontal misalignment and a rotation.  These two types of misalignments are very hard to distinguish from each other.

This MAD clash was discovered by Richard Imburgia.