Die damage

Die damage is generated due to the interposition of a foreign body between the die and the planchet at the time of minting.
By way of example, when a fragment of solid material enters the beating chamber while the press is in operation, the foreign body can cause a scratch or dent in the die. When this happens, the coin will bring back the shape of the foreign body that damaged it. In the event that the assistant does not identify the damaged die and consequently does not replace it, the monetary press will continue to mint coins with embossed signs of the same shape as the foreign body that caused the aforementioned damage.
Scratches and dents differ from die cracks because they are generated by a foreign body, while fractures and breaks are generated by a process of wear of the die.
Scratches or dents have a well-defined shape, while die cracks have a more irregular shape.
danneggiamenti del conio

(E.C.47) 5 Lire 1969 R Delfino - Repubblica Italiana
R/ Barra obliqua a cavallo del secondo numero 9 della data. Collezione Sena Coins.

danneggiamenti del conio

(E.C.48) 50 Lire 1991 R Vulcano II tipo - Repubblica Italiana
R/ Barra obliqua a cavallo del secondo numero 9 della data. Collezione Sena Coins.

In both cases, there may be a "progression" of the error.
Finally, the crack or break of the coin is almost always in contact with design elements, while scratches or dents can be anywhere.

The E.C. 48 coin, along with about 40 other examples, I found by unwrapping a large batch of 50 Lire Vulcano II type rolls.
All the coins examined have this particularity. In comparison, the thickness and length of the slash are congruent. The shape is therefore always the same and positioned exactly in the same point of the coin.


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