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Die Crack Reported on Bald Eagle Half
 | By Ken Potter, Numismatic News
July 31, 2008 |
A 2008-S Bald Eagle half dollar is our first non-circulating type of commemorative coin reported with a major die crack.
Other coins new to this list are a 2005-S clad dime, a 2006-S clad Colorado state quarter and our first Spiked Head report for a 1999-S Kennedy half dollar.
A die crack that runs from the head of a portrait to the rim of a coin is often referred to as a Spiked Head by error-variety specialists and given more attention than the typical die cracks found in other areas. However, any prominent major die crack on a proof coin is considered collectible as they are rarely encountered, though more have been showing up in the recent years then ever before.
On the 2008-S Bald Eagle commemorate half dollar featured here, the die crack runs from within the U.S. flag all the way into the field and out through the rim at about 3 o'clock. It is the first and only die crack submitted for a 2008-dated proof coin so far and the only one I've reported upon for a commemorative coin design that does not have a circulating counterpart. It was submitted by Daniel Sanger of Maryland and certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of Sarasota, Fla., as an Ultra Cameo PR-70. I listed it in the Variety Coin Register as VCR#1/DCR#1 for the date/mint/denomination/type.
The next report is from frequent contributor to this series Patrick McNulty of Alabama, who sent in a 2005-S clad dime with a very interesting Spiked Head die crack eminating from within the center of Roosevelt's nose, out into the field and through the rim at about 9 o'clock. This is our third major proof die crack reported for the date and denomination and the second that is a Spiked Head. It was certified by NGC as an Ultra Cameo PR-69. I list it as VCR#3/SHDC#2.
Alex Pancheco of Tipsico Coins, Corvallis, Ore., sent in a nice 2006-S clad Colorado state quarter with a strong die crack radiating upward from the upper right side of the Rocky Mountains out into the field and through the vertical bar of the "D" of COLORADO and onward through the rim. This is the second major die crack for the state but the first for the reverse. I list it as VCR#2/DCR#1.
The final coin is from McNulty and represents my first report on a 1999-S Kennedy half dollar with this one being of a clad composition. It boasts a nice Spiked Head running from within Kennedy's hair up into the field and through the right side of the "R" of LIBERTY. It is almost indistinguishable from the 2000-S Spiked Head Kennedy half dollar that I showed in the last installment except that the date is different. This suggests a general area of weakness to the die's design in this area and that we may see more spikes of a similar nature for this denomination as readers search their proof sets closer.
While there have been few sales from which to establish solid values for Spiked Heads and other major die cracks on proof coins, I'd estimate that cents through dimes could fetch $150 to $300. My estimate of value on the States quarter is in the $200 to $300 plus range. Remember, these values are for proofs.
To date the Spiked Head Kennedy half dollars are impossible to price since each of the three known varieties are possibly unique but at least one dealer suggests that he'd pay at least $750 for the 2002-S silver issue I reported upon in the kickoff of this series. Reverse die cracks for the series have also not established prices but the 2005-S variety is not unique with 22 pieces reported by one finder.
With the popularity of dollar errors high, I expected them to carry an estimated value of $275 to $500 depending on the strength and number of pieces available, but at least two of the Jefferson dollars reported in the Nov. 13, 2007, issue of Numismatic News have been sold for just under $200.
Our "list" originally started with a Spiked Head 2002-S silver Kennedy half dollar that headlined the April 15, 2003, issue of Numismatic News. This coin prompted the long string of finds that followed as folks began to check closely other denominations and dates. The 12-part series of reports ran intermittently with the last appearing in the Jan. 8, 2008, issue where I examined a dozen new proof die crack varieties.
With this 13th installment of the series, there are now 41 proof coins all manufactured within the last decade ranging in dates from 1998 to 2008 with significant die cracks reported. These coins confirm my earlier suggestion that the trend that started with the Spiked Head 2002-S silver proof Kennedy half dollar and carried on through other 21st century issues is continuing unabated. I suggest that more Spiked Head varieties may be found in either the clad or silver sets of this era and that the probability of them continuing to escape the Mint is strong.
It is also obvious with this report, now that we have our second 1999-dated submission (and an earlier one for 1998), that collectors need to look back further than 21st century issues. It should also now be obvious that proof commemorative coins need to be checked from the half dollars through the exotic metals.
Die cracks are inherent to the use of die steel and occur due to a variety of reasons. The extreme striking pressure required to produce proof coins is the most probable reason for die breakage on these issues. Other factors such as faulty die steel, improper heat treatment (of the dies), etc., may be factors. It may also be an indication that a die has been in service too long and is starting to break up, though this cause is usually associated with other die wear problems and die crack progressions that we do not see here.
Other causes of a mechanical nature are: the striking of errors, in particular error types that involve stacks of more than one planchet (or planchets and/or coins) struck together by a die pair, or off center and double-strike errors. Additionally, improper die set-ups, such as tilted dies, loose dies, etc., have been identified, as causes of die breakage.
Each proof coin requires a visual inspection before being placed on a tray for further processing or being rejected and segregated from those that pass inspection when flawed. Coins with die cracks as prominent as these should have been easily spotted and set to the side for destruction.
I believe that die cracks on proof dies are routine but coins escaping the Mint were not routine in the past. One cause may be the great increase in coinage production since the inception of the state quarter program and other programs that followed. This greater demand for production appears as though it may have taken its toll and resulted in more errors of this type escaping the watchful eye of the Mint quality inspectors.
I would like to stress the fact that die cracks on general business strike coins made for circulation are exceedingly common and rarely elicit any significant collector interest or value. They are the norm and those of us active in the field rarely consider them as significant varieties or errors. However, they can be fun to find and collect as long as one does not expect financial gain. They can also be educational to the budding numismatist who takes the time to study them.
The significant major die cracks highlighted in this series are of the type that runs from within the central design all the way through the rim to the very edge of the die. Such die cracks are often deep and actually show a significant crack along the shank of the die. See the Nov. 13, 2007, story on the Jefferson Spike for images of an actual die with such a crack.
I would like to thank Numismatic News readers who have participated in this ongoing hunt for "Spiked Head" die cracks and other errors on recent proof coins and encourage them to continue. Please do not report upon minor die cracks on business strikes as I have been swamped with such reports and do not have time to respond. Sorry.
Collectors finding any of these die crack proof coins or other errors are requested to report them to me at NNSpikedHeads@koinpro.com, or at the address below. Always write first before submitting coins.
Ken Potter is the official attributer of world doubled dies for the Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America and for the National Collectors Association of Die Doubling. He also privately lists other collectible variety types on both U.S. and world coins in the Variety Coin Register. He is a regular columnist in Numismatic News' sister publication, World Coin News, where he pens the Visiting Varieties column. More information on either of the clubs or how to get a coin listed in the Variety Coin Register may be obtained by sending a long, self-addressed envelope with 60 cents postage to P.O. Box 760232, Lathrup Village, MI 48076, or by contacting him via e-mail at KPotter256@aol.com. An educational image gallery may be viewed on his Web site at www.koinpro.com.
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