Die tilt occurs during the minting process when one of the dies (either the obverse or reverse) is not aligned perfectly perpendicular to the coin blank before striking. This misalignment results in a coin that has uneven design features, where one side of the coin may have a design that appears normal, while the opposite side shows a design that progressively softens or becomes less defined. The degree of tilt can vary, leading to a range of error severities.
Die tilt
The manifestation of die tilt on coins can be categorized into several situations, each with unique characteristics:
Partial Design Fading: In mild cases of die tilt, there may be a gradual fading of the design elements on one side of the coin. This fading is most noticeable towards the edge farthest from the point of correct alignment.
Edge and Rim Irregularities: Coins with significant die tilt may exhibit abnormalities on their edges and rims. For instance, one side of the coin might have a thicker rim compared to the opposite side, which results from the uneven pressure applied during striking.
Variations in Relief: The relief, or the height of the design elements above the coin’s surface, can vary significantly across the surface of a tilted die coin. The side closer to the correct die alignment will typically have a higher relief compared to the opposite side.
Misaligned Designs: In extreme cases, the designs on the obverse and reverse sides of the coin may not align correctly. This misalignment is directly attributable to the die tilt and can be quite pronounced, making it one of the more easily recognized symptoms of this error.