VOCABULARY TERM: ROTATED DIE

Rotated Die. A striking error in which the axis of the reverse does not agree with that of the obverse. A rotated die is due to one of two causes: 1) misalignment during setup (see DIE ALIGNMENT), or 2) CHATTERING in which the dies are not secure in their chucks and turn, or rotate, during constant striking. The amount of rotation is expressed in degrees of a circle: coins (with the top of obverse to the bottom of the reverse) is 0° normal. Rotation is also expressed in clock face positions from 1 to 12, each number being 30°, as 3 o'clock is 90° off center.

It is never known by observing the struck piece which die has rotated, obverse or reverse. In describing rotated die coins, we assign the obverse as the standard, it would always be the reverse that is rotated (even though this may not have been the case in the press). Hence some collectors call this anomaly a "rotated reverse." See DIE ALIGNMENT, MISALIGNED DIE, CHATTERING, AXIS, ORIENTATION.

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Rotated Die (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516679 )

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