1999 dime face clash

[billyb]

I think the clash on the face is pmd. But on the reverse there's a broken branch plus a berry on the end of the leaf. Can someone please explain what's going on with it?Image563.jpgImage564.jpg

[jmangham]

Billy,
I will address all of your posts. The coin pictured here has been damaged outside of the mint. A "clash" is a "die clash". A die clash occurs during the minting process when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them thereby transferring their respective images onto each other. Every subsequent coin that these dies produce will show parts of the obverse image on the reverse of the coin and vice versa.

The dots on you coins are mostly likely die chips caused by small pieces of the die "chipping" off leaving incuse areas on the die for the metal to fill up and become a raised spot on the coin. It is a common occurrence on most all coinage. Some die chips tend to "grow" in size over the life of the die. More dramatic chips can become "breaks" (there will always be debates on how large a chip has to be to be considered a break, but that is not the point of this post). Generally the more dramatic the chip or break, the more collectible a coin will be.

As for the rim anomaly, I am not familiar enough with dimes to make an educated response as to its rarity. But just like clashes, chips, etc. generally the size/location/rarity of any type of collectible coin error determines its collectible value.

All this being said, I have found it a good practice to hang on to even minor errors to use as references at least until you find some more collectible examples. By studying chips, breaks, clashes etc. you will become more familiar with the minting process and how these errors occur. As you become more familiar, you will begin to find more desirable errors/varieties. These types of errors can also prove to be invaluable as die markers while trying to identify varieties such as doubled dies and mint mark anomalies.

I hope this helps!

[billyb]

Thank you for your time and help every little bit of info i can get helps me with the leaning process .I have about 5 coin books now and the more I know, I know that i don't know as much as I think I know LOL THANKS HAVE A GREAT DAY STAY SAFE!

[jmangham]

No problem! Good reference material is a must. I have only been seriously collecting for about 10 months now but have learned so much from studying.