How I Identified a Rare 1865 Two Cent Clash (Step-by-Step Guide for Attribution)

The Thrill and Terror of My 1865 Two Cent Coin Discovery

My hands shook when I first spotted the dramatic clash marks on what I thought was a common 1865 Two Cent piece. Like many collectors, I assumed attribution would be simple – until reference books left me stranded. Let me walk you through the exact process I used to document this rare Fancy 5 die clash, step by step.

Why Die Clash Attribution Changes Everything

That Sinking Feeling Every Collector Knows

You’ve found something special on a coin, but:

• Reference books show nothing matching your discovery
• Grading services require official FS numbers
• Your “treasure” might remain unrecognized

What Made My 1865 Different

The reverse showed shield lines clearer than any documented Plain 5 clashes. I knew it was special – but how could I prove it?

My 7-Step Survival Guide for Unknown Varieties

Step 1: When Books Don’t Have Answers

I combed through every resource:

“Fancy 5 dates show no reported clashes” – Flynn’s Variety Book

That blank space in the books? That’s where the adventure begins.

Step 2: Overlay Magic

Using maddieclashes.com overlays revealed:

My clash didn’t match known Plain 5 patterns. This was new territory.

Step 3: Create Your Evidence Trail

I became a coin detective:

• Macro photos showing every angle
• Hand-drawn maps of impression locations
• Side-by-side comparisons with “normal” coins

Step 4: The Email That Went Unanswered

When specialist Frank Leone didn’t reply, I:

• Posted in the Bust Half Nut Club forum
• Compared notes with Blair County Coin’s example
• Joined three specialized Facebook groups

Turns out silence speaks volumes – nobody had seen this before.

Step 5: Proving Rarity

After months of searching:

• Only 3 confirmed Fancy 5 clash examples
• Mine showed the strongest impressions
• Higher grade potential than Plain 5 clashes

Step 6: The Grading Gamble

My PCGS submission included:

• A custom-printed research booklet
• Notarized statement of findings
• Printed overlay comparisons

Would it be enough without an FS number?

Step 7: Building a Legacy

To cement this discovery:

• Tracking die cracks across specimens
• Documenting clash strength variations
• Creating a public clash location map

Hard-Won Lessons for Variety Hunters

When the Books Are Wrong

The gap in Flynn’s guide taught me:

• New discoveries hide in “no variety listed” spaces
• Your camera is your best research tool
• Specialists respond to thorough documentation

The Slabbing Surprise

A seasoned collector warned me:

“Some dealers avoid ‘No FS’ coins – even when special”

Would recognition actually hurt resale value? The jury’s still out.

Where My 1865 Clash Stands Today

PCGS sent it back labeled simply “Die Clash.” But this isn’t over:

• CONECA review underway
• Two Cent clash census in progress
• Refining my documentation method daily

Your Coin Could Be Next

That odd mark on your coin? It might be more than a curiosity. My journey with this 1865 Two Cent piece proves that with systematic documentation and stubborn persistence, we collectors write numismatic history one coin at a time. I’m already applying this same approach to two new clashes – who knows what we’ll discover next?

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