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

Die crack

A 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

A 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

References

  1. ↑ "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.
  2. ↑ "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.
  3. ↑ 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>.
  4. ↑ "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>.
  5. ↑ "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>.
  6. ↑ "Cuds Part IV. Die Errors: Die Breaks: Cuds".
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