Part IV. Die Errors:
Collar Cuds:
Vertical Collar Crack
Definition: Vertical collar cracks often develop at opposite poles and may presage the development of a bilateral split collar.
Vertical collar cracks are most easily seen and recognized in smooth-edged issues.
Shown below is a 1981-P nickel with vertical collar cracks at 5:00 and 11:00 (obverse clock position). It also shows peripheral die damage around the date. The latter most likely represents a die attrition error metal loss caused by a temporarily misaligned hammer die banging against the beveled entrance to the collar. The repeated impacts might have caused the collar to crack first in this area.
Vertical collar crack at the 5:00 position. Vertical collar crack at the 11:00 position.
