Questions on Clashed Dies

Are coins that show evidence of clashed dies considered errors? Does a die clash increase the value of the coin, decrease the value or is it neutral?
Is grading affected?

Opinion on the clashes on this 3-cent nickel?

 

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I believe die clashes are regarded as "errors." If subtle, there is typically not an increase in value. Larger clashes definitely have an increase in value. Yours is pretty significant, I think.

Nice coin.

 

Value depends on the coin, the date and mintmark, etc.

Standing Liberty Quarters are seen with clash marks VERY frequently and they don't carry much of a premium, if any. Meanwhile, Morgan Dollars and Walkers apparently are worth big bucks with visible die clashes.

 

I like clashed dies. I have been known to pay a premium for a coin with die clash that I really like. Other people may see clashed dies as a defect - especially on a high grade uncirculated coin - and discount the price they would pay for the coin.

Is a coin with clashed dies an error? I don't think so. Errors are generally not reproducible. The thing that makes a coin a variety are reproducible (like clashed dies).

BUT the thing that causes a variety is created during the die making process, not during the striking process. Clashed dies are created during the striking process.

So in my opinion clashed dies are neither an error or a variety. They are simply clashed dies.

 

Not uncommon - this is soooo important a lesson!!

Clashed dies like yours are not at all uncommon on type coins of that era. They are really cool and I like them but we see them often. On value, a nice MS-type coin like yours most folks are wanting the coin itself and care little for any clash. Now if it was a modern coin with very little numismatic value but "high end and big clash" - then that coin would be worth more because of the clash.

So important rule on errors and varieities to learn is:
"the higher numismatic value a coin has the less likely any error or variety on that coin will be worth"
To futher explaine - A 1914-D Lincoln Cent with a RPM, (repunched mint-mark) D/D would have value because of the key date and not the RPM.

Ben Peters

 

Technically speaking they are errors, but until the early 20th century they were fairly common. I have a 3¢ from 1868 that has similar clashing on it.

 

As far as early pieces, such as the 3 centers (both silver & nickel) calshes are fairly common.

For grading, I believe it is ignored.
For value, unless it is very extreme, no added value.

 

I tend to think they are not classified as "errors".
Why?
Because you don't see them listed in the most used catalogues.
And the TPGs don't attribute them although they may use a die clash (if present) as a diagnostic on better coins.

I would put them more in the class of a die variety.

Yours is particularly nice because of the obvious profile on the reverse.

As to the effect on a coin's value, mostly it's neutral.
It's rare that a die clash is noted in a coin's description.
It would have be quite prominent.
I think yours would qualify.

I just looked at my three silver 3-cent coins and two of them have die clashes.
Not as good as the OP's but no missing them.

 

I have a 2000 rosevelt dime with a significant clash die the incused images are pretty visible with the naked eye. I would say ones like that would bring a premiu, but I don't think that much.

I guess the more intense the clash is the more likely the interest level is They are classified as errors ,I don't no if there considerd in the major or minor cataglory of errors . I will do some research on that through


Jazzcoins Joe

 

A little research indicates that I am incorrect.
If a name is given to them at all, "error" is it.
So I guess it goes into the the group of minor(?) errors with "filled dies" and "strike throughs".

 

You might want to combine your threads.

 

Unless the clashed die occurs with the very first strike, I would think it creates die states and not a variety. I personally like to think of them as errors but technically, they are not and it does depend on the coin, as to whether it increases it's value, since some die states are more common with the clashed die state but generally, it's the other way around, since by clashing, it damaged the die and they are usually replaced so not many are minted with the clashed dies but there are a few exceptions.

Ribbit

Ps: I love your example! :thumb:

 

I bought it specifically because of the clash. I didn't really need it but I'm switching it with the one in my type set just because it has "character" that an otherwise ho-hum common nice example doesn't have.

 

Here is my die clash, like, 3 cent silver.
http://www.cointalk.com/forum/t46113/

I learned it was actually "Indirect design tranfer"

 

Actually, if you want to get really technical they're not a variety or an error, they're a die state. Errors are generally one-offs caused by flaws in the minting process (or intentional on the part of a mint employee, but they fire you for that when they catch you), varieties are combinations of dies and planchets (though you see planchet being an issue more for patterns), and die states are made when something happens to a die (such as striking something which damages it like another die or a bolt, or it is lapped [often called polishing], or the die deteriorates from wear).

Some days I like nitpicking.

 

I'll buy that. As I said above, a die clash is neither an error or a variety.

What is a "one-off"?

 

It is a "one-of" with one too many f's.

Typo-Toad to the rescue!

Ribbit

 

Your 3 cent nickel is in great condition and has the added personality of the clashed dies showing up. Definitely a nice keeper for a type set.

Bruce

 

This is a great topic that can get everyone thinking what constitutes an Error, a Variety and a Die State! IMHO, a Die Clash is an Error that can become a Variety. Technically, a Die Clash is caused by an error in the feeding process in which no planchet is fed into the striking chamber, thus allowing the Dies to slam into each other. It is also an error in that the Mint employee did not catch this when it happened and immediately retire the Dies for repair or disposal. As this process continues (no planchet is fed in the striking chamber allowing the Dies to slam into each other) many times during the use and life of the Dies, the Dies can become severely clashed with significant details and lettering visible on struck coins, then this usually constitutes a Variety. There are many examples of severe Die Clashing that have been given Variety designations and the most common are Morgan and Peace Dollar VAM's. As to Die State, a Die Clash is not a Die State but can usually be pinpointed to have occurred at a specific time in the life (Die State) of a Die and is sometimes used as Die Markers for other Varieties.


Frank

 

Hey Frankie? Varieties are different dies and a clashed die isn't, it's a damaged die and no different than when a die cracks. That was well explained here:

http://www.cointalk.com/forum/t45705/?highlight=1804

So if a clashed die clashes again, then that is nothing more than a later die state of the same die, that clashed earlier and prior to it clashing, it's in one of it's earliest die states, if not the first die state. Nowhere did the die get changed out to a different die, making it a new variety.

That's how I see it.

Ribbit

Ps: If a die develops a die break, it's a die state but if the die break develops because of dies clashing, it's a new variety with a die break? I don't think so! Varieties are caused/created by the die maker, not the minting press/process. Die clashes, on the other hand, are caused/created by the minting press or during the minting process, not the die maker and die breaks, chips, etc, are no different.