Die cap - Errors and varieties
A die cap appears when a coin is stuck by succion to the hammer/top die.
Most of the time, this coin will quickly fall. But when it remains stuck to the die, it will serve as a faux die and hit one or more consecutive blanks. Blanks hit by the faux die are called Full brockage or Partial brockage.
Strike after strike, the faux die will mold itself around the hammer die, and gradually the design will deteriorate leaving an increasingly fuzzy imprint.
Eventually, the faux die will fall off by itself or will be removed by an employee of the mint.
Die cap values
The value is based on the date of the coin, shape of the coin, grade and denomination. Here are some prices realized at auctions:
- $555 CAD - 5 cents 1975 CCCS MS-64
- $300 CAD - 1 cent 1965-89 Obverse Die Cap NGC MS-61 Brown
- $230 CAD - 1 cent 1972 PCGS MS-63 Red and Brown
