Clashed Dies

The Clashed Die Varieties of 1881-O

In theory any die can be a clashed variety, but only those where the clashing is strong enough (hard or deep enough) to create a transfer of letters from one die to the other are recognized as VAM varieties.  There are also one-sided clashed coins, presumably where a press operator recognized the problem and removed one die for repair and replaced it with an unclashed die.

 

So far in the 1881-O series there are no spectacular clashed dies such as an E transfer, but there are some very nice ones.  For us the least recognizable is the reverse clashed M initial, so we slow down when we find the other clashes and look carefully.  If you need to review the clash overlays then go to this link for clashed dies or click on one of the images on the right to open a new window with a very large clash overlay image.

 

Keep in mind that die alignment when the clashing of dies occurred can have real implications.  Features of the clash can move around slightly from die rotation or a loose die.

 

Locating and collecting clashed coins offers one of the most interesting areas of collecting for any Morgan series.

 

 

Clashed Dies

Gouge in DOLLAR

Double Ear

Overpolished Wings

Altered Hair

Spiked 8

Similitudes

The Concept

Bearded Eagles

VAM 1B2 - Die Gouge in DOLLAR, Clashed Obverse n and st

VAM 1B2 has a double diagonal clashed die at the neck, with a partial incuse n of In from reverse next to Liberty head neck, and a partial incuse of st of Trust showing in right hair vee of lower hair edge.

 

The reverse is also a normal die, with a long thin die gouge from the D through the O in DOLLAR, and with faint denticle impressions.

 

The obverse is die 1, and the reverse is die a.

 

VAM 1I - Clashed Obverse n & st

VAM 1I is a clashed die with partial incuse n of In from reverse showing next to Liberty's neck, and partial incuse st of Trust from reverse showing in right hair vee of lower hair edge.

 

 

The reverse is a normal die, but the Mint Mark is centered and upright slightly high.

 

The obverse is die 1, and the reverse is die a.

 

Our collection does not include a VAM 1I yet but this link will take you to the VAMworld page for the VAM 1I.

VAM 1K - Clashed n & st

VAM 1K is a clashed die with partial incuse n of In from reverse showing next to Liberty head neck, and a partial incuse st of Trust from reverse showing in right hair vee of lower hair edge.   As additional identification marks there are several polishing lines in the T of LIBERTY.

 

The reverse is a normal die.

 

The obverse is die 1, and the reverse is die a.

 

Our collection does not include a VAM 1K yet but this link will take you to the VAMworld page for the VAM 1K.

VAM 26A - Doubled 18, Clashed Obverse us

VAM 26A  has a doubling of the 18 in date with the 1 doubled slightly at top right of vertical shaft' and the left 8 doubled at top outside, left inside and right outside of upper loop.

 

There is a small patch of rusted die pitting at the hair curl in front of ear.

 

Additionally this is a clashed die with partial incuse of the letters u and s of Trust from reverse showing in right hair vee of lower hair edge.

 

The obverse is die 15, and the reverse is die a.

 

VAM 33B - Doubled Ear, Clashed Obverse In & st Reverse M

VAM 33B has a strong second die clash almost exactly on top of first one strengthening the clashed letters so that IN shows next to neck.  As a die marker there is a rough diagonal line in front of eye.

 

The ear is slightly doubled at the bottom of the earlobe.  The wreath from the reverse is clashed on the obverse.

 

The reverse is a normal die with the cap and profile clashed on the reverse.

 

The obverse is die 22, and the reverse is die a.

 

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VAM 37A - Doubled Reverse Legend & Motto, Clashed Obverse n, us

VAM 37A has a clashed die with a faint partial incuse of n of In from reverse showing next to Liberty's neck, and a partial incuse of us of Trust from reverse showing in the right hair vee of the lower hair edge.

 

On the reverse there is a slight doubled TED STATES OF AMERICA and right wreath leaves towards the rim.  In God We Trust is doubled towards the rim.

 

The obverse is die 1, and the reverse is die n.

 

VAM 50A - Doubled Ear Bottom, Clashed Obverse n & st Reverse M

VAM 50A has a partial incuse of the In of the motto from reverse showing next to Liberty's head neck, and a partial incuse of st of Trust from reverse showing in the right hair vee of lower hair edge. The ear is slightly doubled at the bottom of the earlobe.  There is some fine pitting along the jaw line at the neck junction.

 

The reverse is a normal die but clashed with faint designers initial M from Obverse showing above od in God on the reverse.  The end of Liberty's hair is visible at the eagle's neck.  There are two gouge marks inside the first L in DOLLAR.

 

The obverse is die 22, and the reverse is die a.

 

VAM 55A - Doubled Right 1 Top and Right Side, Clashed Obverse n

VAM 55A is the clashed version of VAM 55.  It has the right 1 slightly doubled at the top, and lower right of the vertical shaft as a notch.  There is a clashed obverse n at the front of Liberty's neck.

 

As an additional marker there is a single diagonal polishing line at the bottom of the Y in LIBERTY

 

On the reverse the mint mark is centered and tilted left.

 

The obverse is die 36, and the reverse is die a.

 

 

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