53 with a bad die clash??

[cosmic]

I just acquired a 1853 half dime and taking a quick glance without my glasses knew it was nice.. I gave it to my son and he stared at it while with a 10x loupe.. With a puzzled look he said "I don't know what this is" so I had a look.. Definite imprint in the background.. I told my son I'll take some pics of it and we will be able to see it better.. So is it a clashed die? I'm not sure but I LIKE IT!!! Obverse if apparent E and imprint of the bottom of the wreath on either side of liberty's head.. I inverted the reverse so you can see at the bottom of the pic where the tops of the date, under the letters "states" and toward the top of the wreath about 11 o'clock the staff and part of her arm.. Is this a common occurrence?
Thanks,
Ray

 

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[enamel7]

Looks like one to me.

 

[l.cutler]

Yup, definitely clashed die.

 

[hyperion]

Clashed dies are not uncommon. It happens when the two dies come together without a planchet (coin blank) between them. Normally the more obvious ones are quickly discovered and repaired by mint engravers or replaced by mint employees. This one should have been discovered quickly and would have limited the number of coins minted. What you always look for in clashed dies is a letter transfer ... you've got a great big 'D' from DIME near Liberty's left elbow.

I don't have access to half dime varieties, but a similar clash on an 1853 no arrows dime is a top 100 variety and sells for around $400 in VF. Definitely a nice find.

 

[allen]

that is an awesome coin !!