Mastering Clash ID on US Two Cent Coins: Advanced Attribution Techniques for Serious Collectors

Ready to Take Your Clash ID Skills to the Next Level?

Let me share something I wish I’d known years ago. When I first held that 1865 Fancy 5 Two Cent piece with its ghostly reverse impressions, I realized most collectors miss crucial details without a proper system. After examining hundreds of die varieties, I’ve developed a battle-tested approach that goes far beyond glancing at clash marks. These are the techniques that separate casual observers from serious researchers.

A Pro’s Blueprint for Spotting Clash Details

Die Analysis That Reveals Hidden Stories

Advanced attribution isn’t about spotting marks – it’s reading the coin’s fingerprint. Here’s how I break it down:

• Date Position Mapping: Use digital calipers (0.01mm precision) to log exact distances from denticles
• Shield Line Alignment: Match obverse shield patterns to reverse transfers using custom overlay templates
• Micro-Positional Markers: Track tiny die cracks or flow lines that act as unique identifiers

My Field Kit Essentials

Through trial and error, I’ve perfected my examination setup:

• A trusty 60x USB microscope – mine’s practically glued to my workbench
• Standardized gray card background for consistent lighting
• DSLR with macro lens (color-calibrated weekly)
• Custom spreadsheet templates for tracking die states

Turning Unknowns Into Cataloged Varieties

When Your Find Has No FS Number

Don’t let Cherrypicker’s Guide gaps discourage you. When I discover an undocumented clash:

1. Verify at least five examples across different grades
2. Document how die deterioration progresses over strikings
3. Prepare a research packet for CONECA’s review team
4. Share discoveries through Coin World or ANA publications

Getting Grading Services On Board

My hard-won submission advice:

“Start with NGC for initial attribution – their specialists handle unique finds well. Once recognized, cross to PCGS. This two-step approach has never failed me.”

Tools That Give You an Edge

Beyond the Usual Suspects

While maddieclashes.com is great, I regularly use:

• Heritage Auction archives (personally analyzed 6000+ Two Cent lots)
• PCGS CoinFacts population filters to spot anomalies
• CONECA’s member-only research files
• 3D scanning to model die progression patterns

Making Faint Marks Pop

When standard imaging fails, try this Photoshop sequence I swear by:


// My go-to clash enhancement script
applyHighPassFilter(radius: 3px, opacity: 50%);
layerBlendMode("Overlay");
adjustLevels(blackPoint: 15, gamma: 1.2);


Building Your Numismatic Legacy

True expertise means advancing our collective knowledge:

• Maintain public records (I currently track 27 distinct 1865 clashes)
• Collaborate with specialists – Frank Leone’s been my go-to for years
• Present findings at ANA events (my Summer Seminar talks always spark new discoveries)
• Develop clear grading standards for clash severity

The Real Reward of Advanced Clash ID

What keeps me hunting? It’s that moment when scattered marks transform into historical evidence. By adopting these professional techniques – meticulous documentation, smart tool selection, and community collaboration – you’ll solve attribution puzzles that stumped others. Remember: every major variety discovery started with someone saying “That’s interesting…” and digging deeper.

Related Resources

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