What is a die crack on a coin?
How die cracks form
Coin dies take heavy pressure during striking, and they can crack over time. When a crack forms in the die, it leaves a raised line on each coin struck from that die afterward. Early in the die's life the line may be faint, and it can get stronger as the crack grows.
Die cracks appear on many coin series, so they are not rare by themselves. Collectors look for cracks that are unusually long, cross key design features or appear on a scarce date.
- Raised line on the coin's surface
- Caused by a cracked die during striking
- Stronger cracks can appear later in a die's life
- Value depends on the series, date and size of the crack
Telling a crack from damage
A die crack is usually sharp and continues in a consistent path across the coin. Scratches, cuts and handling marks look random and often change direction. Check the line with a magnifier and compare it with a known good coin of the same type.
Because die cracks are a common variety type, most ordinary examples have only modest value. A reference guide can help you decide whether a crack is worth a closer look.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every line on a coin is a die crack; scratches and rim damage are more common.
- Scraping a line off a coin to make it look different, which destroys its value.
