"Oh, No It Ain't ...!!"
#34
by Ken Potter -- NLG
This document was originally created on October 21, 2006 for use in eBay auctions to expose the exact nature of 
the variation discussed, which at that time was being promoted as the "Leaping Fish" variety on eBay.
It was reformatted for use in this column on December 24, 2007
It was posted on July 05, 2008
All images © Ken Potter 2006

2005-P Minnesota
 Clashed Die Obverse & Reverse
"Leaping Fish"? - Ohhh! No It Aint!

Here the coin was shot angle to best highlight the fish-like clash mark in front of the boat. This was the so-called leaping fish that some eBay sellers were offering on eBay!  Of course it just isn't so!  I found about a roll of these while looking for doubled dies.

   Back in 2006, the 2005-P-D-S Minnesota State quarters with various doubled dies restricted to central areas of the reverse design were red hot!  Most of them involved the third full tree to the right of the Minnesota State outline with a portion of that tree hub doubled with the secondary image showing as a shift out in the field as a totally separated partial tree.  Thus, they were nicknamed the "extra tree" varieties.  At any one time dozens of them could be found being offered on eBay and week after week John Wexler and I wrote stories on the new finds as they came in, for Numismatic News and Coin World.  They were so hot with so many collectors looking for them that they started finding other aberrations on the coins that they felt were doubled dies or "design add-ons" related to the Mint deciding to include "extra" elements into the design.  One common type of variation that fooled a lot of folks was the die clash.

Here we can see a clash mark caused by the upper jaw-line of Washington. It runs from the rock and behind and above the tree. Some folks on eBay promoted this as smoke from a campfire -- something that it definitely is not!

    The one shown here is one of a number of 2005-P Minnesota quarters that exhibit die clash marks on the obverse and reverse.  On this one you can see the effects of a high point on the die from the lines in Washington's hair (wig) clashed on the reverse in front of the boat.  It looks kind of like a fish leaping out of the water and in fact many folks made the claim that this was in fact what it was in spite of the fact their contentions had no basis in fact. In fact they still get offered as such from time to time!

    Other evidence of the clash on the reverse of this variety shows as an area of deformation in the field between the third and fourth full trees (right of the state outline) and seemingly running behind and above the third tree.  Some claim that these are abrasion marks and are evidence of where an "extra tree" doubled die once appeared and was later removed by the Mint.  Others with more vivid imaginations, claim this is smoke coming up from a campfire in the forest!  This obviously is NOT the case but it helps sell coins for those who just don't care if their descriptions are set within the framework of reality or fantasy!

    On the obverse we see some of the outlines of trees from the reverse clashed into Washington's portrait below his ear and on either side.  In a sense these are "extra trees" in that they are outlines of trees due to the clash but certainly not a result of hub doubling (doubled dies). 

    The die clash occurs when the planchet delivery system fails to deposit a planchet between the dies and the press cycles and the dies smash or clash into each other.  When this occurs the design of one or both dies may impart outlines on each other.  Coins struck with these dies will, of course, show these aberrations until they are removed by the Mint or wear away.

    The effects of die clashes can certainly be interesting and in some cases, are considered very collectable, but they should always be described as what they are, even in promotions where commonly accepted nicknames are also being used. 

Here we see another clash mark extending from the fifth full tree right of the state outline.

Clash marks from the highest relief areas of the die between the trees on the reverse take on an inverted tree-like
appearance on the obverse where they seem to be hanging upside-down from Washington's earlobe and areas on either side.

Here's a composite of the Minnesota quarter obverse and reverse design.  The Washington design was rotated 180 degrees and horizontally flipped in Photoshop. This configuration shows how the obverse and reverse designs relate to each other during a clash.  When the geometry of a design allows, clash marks are most apt to show up in the center of the coin first since coinage dies are convex with their highest areas in the center were the design allows.  With this composite design you can see exactly where the various clash marks on this design originate from.  (You can also see where stronger clashes might occur when they extend out further from the centralized areas -- as they may on stronger clashed die varieties).

Here's another clashed die variety sent in by Scott Casey that shows two distinct fish-like areas of clash from the obverse wig and traces of a third. 

Here is yet another die clash variety sent in by Rhonda Snyder or MD with wider spaced traces of fish-like marks in front of the boat.

    History of the "Oh, No It Ain't ...!!" column:  A number of years ago, CONECA member, Bill Fivaz penned a popular long-running series entitled, "Oh, No It Ain't ...!!"  It was published in the CONECA Errorscope for 26 consecutive issues from the March 1991 issue through the July/August 1994 issue.  His focus was on a variety of different coins that at first glance may have fooled many collectors into believing they were legitimate error coins.  It included such items as faked clips, double strikes and brockages; plugged coins, reeded blanks, Mint/Proof Set Sealing Device damage, "jumbo coins" (from hammering), etc.
    When Bill finally ended the series he indicated that if there was anybody who wanted to carry it on that it was open to them.  Later, when I mentioned the column to him in casual conversation, he repeated his offer and suggested that if I was interested in reviving the series -- to feel free.  That offer was made eight or nine years ago and since then I've entertained the idea, off and on, many times.
    The clincher was the CONECA Membership Survey that was sent out in 2003.  In it we asked members for their likes/dislikes and suggestions of what they'd like to see in the Errorscope or on the web site.  Respondents ranked a column such as this one right at the top of the list.  So be it!  The revived "Oh, No It Ain't...!!" column will continue on from where Bill left off.  I hope you enjoy!   Ken Potter 03/11/04.

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