Advanced Identification: Discovering Rare Die Marriages for 1922 Cent Varieties Book 6-22-26 PHOTO UPDATE

For the advanced collector, identifying the exact pair of dies that struck a given coin is the ultimate thrill. Here’s my take on the die marriages that make this issue so endlessly fascinating.

The 1922-D Cent: A Numismatic Enigma

As a VAM researcher who has spent decades studying the Lincoln cent series, I can tell you that few dates present as many fascinating puzzles as the 1922-D. This year stands unique in the entire Lincoln wheat cent series—it’s the only year where the Denver Mint was the sole producer of cents, and it turned out the lowest mintage regular issue of the entire series at just 7,160,000 pieces. But the real story lies beneath the surface, in the die marriages that created the rare varieties we chase today.

The 1922 cent story has been clouded by what I call “Numismatic BS”—persistent myths repeated so often they’ve become accepted fact. My research, drawing from original Mint correspondence and die records, aims to set the record straight about what really happened in Denver during 1922.

Debunking the Myths: Die Shortages and Production Realities

Myth #1: The Mint Was Short on Dies

One persistent myth claims the Denver Mint was short on dies in 1922, forcing workers to overuse what few they had. The numbers tell a very different story. In 1920—the last prior year Denver struck cents—the Mint used 184 obverse dies and 183 reverse dies to produce roughly 50,040,000 gross strikes, averaging about 272,000 strikes per obverse die and 273,500 per reverse die.

For 1922, the Denver Mint received TEN obverse dies initially and had to request twice before getting ten more—just 20 obverse dies total. Using the 1920 averages, those 20 obverses should have been good for approximately 5,440,000 gross strikes. The Mint made over 7,200,000. That’s significant overuse, certainly—but not because of a die shortage. Put simply, the Mint chose not to request more.

Myth #2: Peace Dollar Production Interfered

Another common myth suggests that production of the new Peace dollar diverted resources away from cent production. While dollar production did affect cent output, the real reason is more nuanced. I’ve dug into why the Denver Mint struck cents in 1922 while Philadelphia and San Francisco did not—and it has everything to do with economic conditions and existing inventory. The Philadelphia Mint still had bags of 1917 cents sitting in their vaults. Why produce more of something you don’t need?

The Die Marriage Attribution System

Understanding VAMs and Die Pairings

For those new to the terminology, “VAM” numbers refer to the comprehensive cataloging system developed by Leroy Van Aken and A. George Mallis that identifies every known die marriage for Morgan and Peace dollars. While the Lincoln cent world uses different attribution systems—primarily the Die Pair numbering system for 1922 cents—the underlying principle is the same: identifying the exact combination of obverse and reverse dies used to strike a given coin.

In my experience grading and attributing 1922-D cents, I’ve identified multiple die pairs, each with distinctive characteristics. The most famous is Die Pair 1, which produced the legendary “No D” strong reverse coins—a variety that commands serious numismatic value. But Die Pair 4, with its Weak D that never progresses to a No D, is often overlooked despite offering fascinating insights into die deterioration and collectibility.

The Clashed Die Theory: Fact or Fiction?

For decades, a theory has persisted that one or more of the “No D” or “Weak D” dies resulted from die pairs clashing heavily, with the obverse dies subsequently being ground down to remove clash marks. I’ve been systematically researching this, examining photographs of 1922-D cents looking for examples with obverse clash marks that might have been polished away.

To date, I have NOT seen ANY coins with ANY obverse clash marks. I’ve examined over 30 1922 No D’s ranging from G to MS grades, and I don’t see clashing on any of them. I do observe die deterioration at the bottom of the bust on several examples, but that’s a different phenomenon entirely from clash marks.

I did find one interesting coin with clash marks from the back of Lincoln’s neck in the area of the C of CENT, but there were no corresponding clash marks on the obverse—presumably because the obverse die had been swapped out. This area behind Lincoln’s neck is worth checking on your own specimens if you’re hunting for evidence of die clashes.

Die Pair 4: The Weak D Mystery

The Deteriorated Die Lobes

Die Pair 4 is particularly fascinating for variety researchers. This die is noted for elongated lobes of die wear—or die polish—on the bottom of Lincoln’s lapel. I’ve documented three distinct die states so far:

• Very Early Die State (VEDS): A near-perfect die with no lobes at all, yet enough die characteristics present to link it to later states through provenance.
• Early Die State: Lobes just beginning to form—a rare variety that’s easy to miss.
• Late Die State (LDS): Lobes greatly exaggerated from advanced die erosion, giving a mushy appearance.

I’m actively seeking intermediate die state coins showing these same lobes at shorter length, which would help determine whether the erosion was caused by excessive die deterioration or by mechanical die polishing. If you have examples in mint condition or with original luster and patina, I’d genuinely love to examine them.

The Mint Mark Depth Factor

One critical insight from my research: the mint mark is not sunk as deeply into the die as the date. If a die hadn’t been properly hardened in Denver prior to use, its final polishing would remove more of the die’s surface than normal. The mint mark would be the first detail to vanish. Once the die hit the press, rapid deterioration would mush out the design and finish off the mint mark entirely. Eventually, the die would become slightly work-hardened from use, and the rate of deterioration would slow down.

This explains why we see “Weak D” coins rather than a gradual progression from strong to absent mint mark. The mint mark was shallow to begin with, and improper die hardening accelerated its disappearance—a key factor in understanding the eye appeal and collectibility of these varieties.

Reverse Die Analysis and Clash Marks

Documenting Reverse Clash Evidence

While obverse clash marks appear absent from 1922-D cents, reverse clash marks do exist. I’ve documented one example with a clash mark on the reverse running from between the bases of the CE of CENT up to the E of E PLURIBUS UNUM. The former owner reported a strong D and a fairly normal obverse, suggesting the obverse die was replaced after the clashing incident.

Heritage Auctions has featured PCGS MS65 Red examples showing the same reverse clash pattern, confirming this as a consistent die characteristic rather than an isolated incident. Multiple clashings appear to have occurred—some coins show clash marks running from the C of CENT to the top of the I of UNITED without extending to the E of EPU.

Die Crack Progression

The reverse dies also developed characteristic cracks in predictable sequences. One example shows the following progression, which helps establish relative die states:

1. Initial crack at the 2 o’clock position
2. Major crack through the O of ONE
3. Subsequent crack at 9 o’clock
4. Alleged fourth crack around 4-5 o’clock (which I’ve personally never confirmed)

Tracking these crack progressions is invaluable for establishing die state sequences and can assist significantly in attributing specimens to specific die marriages—a cornerstone of accurate variety attribution.

The Die Steel Question

Different Batches for Different Denominations

An interesting tangent in my research involves the die steel itself. The Mint purchased die stock rods in different diameters, with smaller diameter rods used for cent dies and larger ones for dollar dies. This means cent and dollar dies were prepared from entirely different batches of die steel.

This may explain why 1921-D Morgan dollars seldom show much die erosion—the typical 21-D Morgan is sharply detailed with full luster, though dies often developed interesting cracks and breaks. If 1922-D cent dies frequently “mushed out,” what was so different? Perhaps it came down to who prepared which set of dies when, and someone improperly hardened a batch of cent dies. Ironically, the lessons learned from cracked and broken dies in 1921 may have prompted procedural changes for 1922 that backfired.

Die Records and Historical Documentation

What the Ledgers Reveal

The die records provide crucial insights into production realities. Contrary to some assumptions, no USED reverse dies were used in 1922. The Mint had 27 reverse dies left over from 1920 and 1921, but these were unused—manufactured but never put into service. Some unused reverses made in 1921 and available for 1922 were never struck that year but were subsequently put to use in 1924.

The obverse situation was different. The Mint received 1921-D obverses that were never used, and there’s no notation in the die ledger that they were ever condemned or returned—which is normal for leftover obverses. However, dated obverses cannot be used in subsequent years, so these 1921-D obverses could not possibly have been used in 1922. This is a critical point for establishing accurate provenance of die marriages.

Mint Correspondence

Through collaboration with fellow researchers like Roger Burgett, I’ve had access to remarkable Mint correspondence that sheds real light on the decision-making process. This correspondence reveals why Denver struck cents in 1922 when other mints didn’t, and it explains the production pressures that led to the systematic overuse of dies.

Collecting Strategies for Die Marriage Varieties

Building a Die Marriage Set

For collectors interested in die marriages, the 1922-D cent offers a challenging but achievable goal. Here’s my recommended approach:

1. Start with Die Pair 1: The “No D” strong reverse is the most famous variety, but examples in higher grades command significant premiums.
2. Add Die Pair 4: The Weak D variety is more affordable and offers the opportunity to collect multiple die states—each with its own story.
3. Document die states: Photograph your specimens carefully and note the progression of die deterioration markers.
4. Check for clash marks: While rare on obverse dies, reverse clash marks can help attribute specimens with confidence.
5. Examine die cracks: The progression of reverse die cracks provides additional attribution evidence and adds depth to a collection.

Grading Considerations

In my experience grading 1922-D cents, the die state significantly affects the assigned grade. Late die state coins with heavy die deterioration often appear worn even when technically uncirculated. The “mushed out” design elements can mimic wear, making accurate grading genuinely challenging. Here’s what I look for:

• Original luster in protected areas around the devices
• Sharpness of the date and legend, as opposed to the design devices themselves
• Color and toning consistent with original surfaces—rich patina that hasn’t been disturbed
• Absence of actual wear on the high points of Lincoln’s bust

Market Values and Rarity

Historical Context

The 1922-D cent’s importance is underscored by historical market data. In 1931, a BU 1922-D cent sold for the same price as a BU 1909-S VDB cent! That remarkable parity reflects the recognized rarity of the date even in the early days of systematic collecting.

Today, while the 1922 No D commands the highest prices, die marriage varieties in high grades remain undervalued relative to their true rarity. A PCGS MS65 Red example represents the pinnacle of condition rarity, with PCGS populations in the low hundreds. For the astute collector, that gap between price and rarity represents genuine opportunity.

Investment Potential

For investors evaluating numismatic value, die marriage varieties offer several compelling advantages:

• Low mintage: At 7,160,000 pieces, this is the lowest mintage regular issue Lincoln cent.
• Strong demand: Every serious Lincoln cent collector needs at least one example.
• Variety premium: Specific die marriages command significant premiums, especially in mint condition.
• Historical importance: The 1922-D represents a unique chapter in Mint history with enduring collectibility.

Research Opportunities

What We Still Need to Learn

Despite decades of study, significant gaps remain in our understanding of 1922-D die marriages. I’m actively seeking the following from fellow collectors:

• High-resolution images of Die Pair 4 in intermediate die states
• Examples of 1922-D cents showing any obverse clash marks
• Specimens showing die damage concentrated in the date/mint mark area
• Original bags or rolls of 1922-D cents still intact
• Major errors such as the massive die cud coin illustrated in David Lange’s The Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents

The Connecticut Hoard Connection

The Museum of Connecticut hoard of Lincoln cents, auctioned in the 1990s, contained many 1924 weak D and no D cents. While some speculated these represented deteriorated dies carried over from 1922, that’s impossible—dated obverses cannot be used in subsequent years. However, unused reverses from 1921 that weren’t used in 1922 were indeed pressed into service in 1924, creating interesting variety connections across years that continue to intrigue researchers.

Conclusion: The Enduring Fascination of Die Marriages

The 1922-D cent represents one of the most fascinating chapters in Lincoln cent collecting. From the legendary “No D” varieties that command five-figure prices to the subtle die deterioration patterns of Die Pair 4, these coins offer endless opportunities for discovery and research. The eye appeal of a well-preserved example—original luster, rich patina, sharp strike—speaks for itself.

As I continue working on what I hope will be the definitive reference article on 1922 cents of all varieties, I’m struck by how much we’ve collectively learned—and how much remains to be uncovered. The die marriage approach transforms these coins from simple date-and-mint-mark pieces into individual artifacts, each with its own story of production, use, and survival against considerable odds.

For the advanced collector, identifying the exact pair of dies that struck a given coin really is the ultimate thrill. It connects us directly to the Denver Mint floor in 1922—to the press operators feeding planchets into coining presses and to the dies themselves as they gradually deteriorated under the immense pressure of mass production.

Whether you’re chasing the famous No D varieties or documenting the subtle die state progressions of overlooked die marriages, the 1922-D cent offers a lifetime of collecting satisfaction. Keep examining your specimens, photographing the details, and sharing your findings with the research community. Together, we’ll continue unraveling the mysteries of this remarkable issue—one die marriage at a time.

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