Can a die clash cause a die chip?

[VAB2013]

This is a brief explanation on a die break. The die is made from carbon steel, which in its normal state is more brittle than normal steel. Carbon steel also becomes more brittle as the die ages.

www.error-ref.com/die-breaks.html

As stated in error-ref.com a few die breaks are caused by direct impact. However, in retrospect all die breaks are caused by impacts, either directly, like a clashing of the dies or indirectly. Carbon steel is continuously hardening (towards more of a crystalline state) by impacting the planchets; the more strikes a die preforms, the more crystalline that die becomes. Thus, die breaks can be formed indirectly when the metal becomes too brittle to withstand the striking of a planchet.

So, yes, die clashes can cause die breaks.

BJ Neff

Thank you BJ Neff for this very informative explanation regarding die breaks. Without having this coin in hand, I am sure it is difficult to know if it is a defective planchet or a die break. This has been a great learning process for me and I am certain it will be helpful to others. Thank you for taking a look and giving us this information!

[jcuve]

But BJ, do you or Mike have a specific example of a die clash leading to a specific section of die cracking or chipping? Either an example that seems likely or a case of an example with known die states showing a progression of pre-clash - clash - die chipping along a section of the damaged die face? It seems possible, but I cannot recall seeing proof.