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Unique 1898 Barber Dime Uncentered/Off-Center Obverse Die Cap
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.
This Barber Dime obverse die cap is unique because the obverse is uncentered and the reverse is slightly off-center. Occasionally a die cap is not centered when it adheres to the upper hammer die.
There are seven Barber Dime Obverse Die Caps known. I have handled five of them including two featured in my book, World's Greatest Mint Errors (page 45 and 47).
This obverse die cap is fresh to the market and is in original mint state condition. In addition to being a die cap, it greatly expanded in size since it is uncentered and off-center. A spectacular major mint error in the Barber Dime series and perfect for a mint error collection or a collection of Barber coinage.
Die Caps are featured in the
NLG award winning book, World's Greatest Mint Errors.