VOCABULARY TERM: OBSOLETE DIE

In our study of dies the term “obsolete die” comes up often. This is understandable because there are a great quantity of such dies in existence. Mints are hesitant to dispose of special dies which are no longer in production but may have use again. This does not apply to current coin dies where hundreds are necessary for large quantity production. These are destroyed, defaced and sold for scrap metal.

Obsolete Die. A die no longer useable for striking; one incapable of producing perfect strikes, or whose use has been revoked. Obsolete dies are usually the ones used to create RESTRIKES. Some obsolete dies are CANCELLED, by obliterating a portion of the striking surface (so perfect specimens cannot be struck). Other obsolete dies are placed in archives, most are scrapped, but some dies end up in collectors’ hands. Some mints retain obsolete dies. The Paris Mint, for example, has thousands of such dies. These are stored in DIE VALUTS that control the humidity to prevent rusting. Despite this, most obsolete dies exhibit evidence of use, often extensive wear, rust, corrosion, or even sinking. Also old dies do become somewhat brittle in time.
CLASS 04.4

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