1893 Barber Dime
Obverse Die Cap & Brockage Reverse

PCGS AU 55
UNIQUE
SOLD

slab slab

A die cap is caused when a struck coin sticks to the upper hammer die. Once the coin is stuck to the die face, the reverse of the struck coin becomes the new die face. When the next blank is fed into the collar and the strike occurs, the reverse design of the adhered struck coin impresses itself into the new blank. This struck coin is a brockage strike. The coin that adhered to the upper die is known as a die cap. This process repeats itself as more coins are struck by the cap. The greater the number of strikes, the higher the cap metal will be pushed around the upper die shaft. Eventually, the cap brakes away from the die in the shape of a thimble.

There are 5 Barber Dime Obverse Die Caps known. I have handled four of them including two featured in my book, World's Greatest Mint Errors (page 45 and 47).

This die cap is unique for the date and also unique for having an incuse-brockage on the reverse, OF THE OBVERSE. The others have an expanded and obliterated reverse due to the multiple strikes. But this reverse, with an incuse design of the obverse featuring the portrait, struck the obverse of many dimes creating counter-brockages.

This is by far the most spectacular Barber Dime obverse Die Cap known since the reverse shows the obverse as well. Its totally original and was just discovered.

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