Marginal die break
La rottura del conio marginale consiste in una porzione di tondello non coniato generato dal distacco e conseguente fuoriuscita del frammento di conio dalla camera di battitura. Solitamente proviene da una precedente frattura del conio marginale con frammento trattenuto. Si manifesta sulla moneta come un nodulo privo di caratteristiche (E.C.20 , E.C.21).
The marginal die break is generally rarer and more sought after than normal cracks, as collectors of minting errors (in particular those specialized in die break) love to reconstruct the various stages of formation. Taking the E.C.22 and E.C.23 coins as an example, we can see details that, when compared, lead to the coincidence of all visible fractures on the coin. Therefore, they were progressively affected by the same broken die.
The marginal break of the lower die in the E.C.22 coin corresponds perfectly with that in the E.C.23 coin. The main difference that distinguishes the E.C.22 coin from the E.C.23 coin is found in the degree of breakage of the die.
Coin E.C.22: An oblique crack was created between the marginal break and the fracture of the lower vertical coin (left side) which consequently generated an additional portion of cud.
This further fracture runs through Minerva's left foot and extends obliquely to the vertical crack.
Coin E.C.23: unlike the coin E.C.22, it has a further oblique and curved crack between the radial fracture and the marginal die break. This fissure has generated a further portion of broken die that starts from the radial die crack (right side), crosses the robe and the ground to rejoin the marginal break of the underlying die.
Given that these are repetitive errors, you can probably also find other coins in circulation affected by the same broken die with a degree that can be lower or higher than the coins from my collection. These specimens appear on the market very rarely and prices always reach high altitudes. Generally, these coins are in high conservation, perhaps because they hardly go unnoticed and those who find them tend to hoard them or insert them carefully into their own collection.
Coin E.C. 22: The crack starts from the edge, crosses the shoulder and chest, reaching the abdomen of Minerva.
Coin E.C.23: unlike the coin E.C.23, it has a double horizontal branch of the radial crack that proceeds irregularly above and below the rosette.
Coins E.C.22 and E.C.23: On the obverse, the edge at 13.00, the upper part of the letter "A" of REPVBBLICA and the tips of the bay leaves are devoid of features in both specimens. This is due to the high pressure of the upper die which, at the moment of striking, compresses the planchet against the broken lower die near the edge. The missing part of the coin (previously escaped from the beating chamber) does not generate friction and therefore almost completely cancels the embossed imprint in that specific area of the planchet on both sides.