A die defect is a unique and unintentional flaw in a coin die and is created through excessive use or polishing of the die.[1] A die bearing such a defect is occasionally referred to as a defective die. Generally, and depending upon the magnitude of the defect, coins that are produced from these dies are considered error coins.[2] Also, the term encompasses a wide variety of design errors that were engraved into the die originally and were slipped into circulation before the incorrect design was discovered.
Types
editDie crack
editA die crack occurs when a die, after being subjected to immense pressure during the minting process, cracks, causing a small gap in the die.[3] If this damaged die continues to produce coins, the metal will fill into the crack, thus revealing a raised line of metal in the finished coin. Specimens with more prominent die cracks can command a high premium and are valued greatly by some collectors.[4] However, less obvious errors are quite common, especially in the 50 States Commemorative Quarter Program, yielding a lower value.[5]
Cud
editA cud on a coin is a damaged area resembling a blob at the edge of the coin. Cuds result from a piece of the perimeter of the die breaking away. They can be any shape depending on the shape of the piece that broke off the die. [6]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "COIN COLLECTING TERMINOLOGY and Definitions – Glossary of Coin Collector Words Starting with Letter D." COIN COLLECTING TERMINOLOGY – Glossary of Coin Collector Terms and Definitions. Web. 23 April 2010. http://cointerms.com/glossary/d_definitions.htm.
- ^ "What's It Worth? Prices for U.S. Error Coins." CoinSite – Coin Collecting, Rare and Old Coins, Coin Prices and the Coin DOC. Web. 23 April 2010. http://www.coinsite.com/html/userrorprices.asp Archived 4 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Headley, Susan. "Die Crack – What Is a Die Crack." Coins and Coin Collecting – Resources for All Types of Coins. Web. 24 April 2010. <http://coins.about.com/od/coinsglossary/g/diecrackdefined.htm Archived 20 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine>.
- ^ "State Quarter Errors: Wisconsin State Quarter Error,Off-Centered Strike, Etc." Rare Coin Values and Proven Trends: Smart Strategy for Buying Collectible Coins. Web. 24 April 2010. <http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/state-quarter-errors.html#Die_Cracks>.
- ^ "State Quarter Errors: Wisconsin State Quarter Error,Off-Centered Strike, Etc." Rare Coin Values and Proven Trends: Smart Strategy for Buying Collectible Coins. Web. 24 April 2010. <http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/state-quarter-errors.html#Die_Cracks>.
- ^ "Cuds Part IV. Die Errors: Die Breaks: Cuds".
External links
edit- Coinsite error coin prices Archived 4 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine