PART VI. Striking Errors:

Die Caps:

Reverse Die Cap (Anvil Die Cap in most years)

Definition: This error develops when a newly-struck coin adheres to the anvil die.  The anvil, or bottom die, functioned as the reverse die through most of the Mint’s history, with the exception of such issues as the Winged Liberty or “Mercury” dime and the Indian Head or “Buffalo” nickel. Beginning in 1992, there was a gradual changeover to a setup in which the obverse die functioned as the anvil die.  However, most or all anvil die caps from this year on were still produced in presses in which the reverse die was the anvil die.  Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable to refer to these errors as reverse die caps.

Most reverse die caps are struck out-of-collar and take the form of enormously expanded broadstrikes.

The first planchet struck after formation of the cap will be left with a clear, complete brockage of the obverse design on the reverse face.  Subsequent brockages will be increasingly expanded, distorted, and incomplete.

This double-struck reverse die cap was produced some time in the late 1990s.  Images courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

This 1977-D Jefferson nickel takes the form of a reverse die cap (anvil die cap). Like the above Lincoln cent, the periphery of the reverse face is cupped toward the anvil die. The obverse design of the die cap has expanded outwards from striking at least one planchet that was fed on top of it.

Images are courtesy of Heritage Auctions.