Altered Dates
by Staff Editor
It is not unusual to hear coin collectors discussing what are called “overdates,” One of the most recent examples of that is the 1942 dime with the date superimposed on 1941. Such a coin is usually referred to as “1942/1”, or “1942. 2 over 1.” A fuller description might be “1942 with 2 over 1 in date.” Although in the case of this dime the entire date was actually altered from 1941 to 1942.
In the case of 20th century coins, like the 1942/1 dime and the 1918/7 nickel and quarter, the reasons for making these overdates can be attributed to inexperienced workers and errors that resulted from speeded-up war-time production. A coin of this vintage should be considered as an error in die making, rather than an expedient to use outdated dies. That distinction sets these coins apart from all of the older overdated dies that were known to have been purposely altered to make use of leftover dies that were carried over one year to the next.
Cost of Making Dies
At the time of the beginning of the Mint in the late 18th century, through the middle of the 19th century, the cost of making dies was a major consideration in coin production and very few workers were skilled enough to engrave dies. Therefore at the end of each year, if there were any usable dies left over they were altered to change the date to that of the coming year. The practice began as early as 1796 on silver half-dimes and gold half-eagles, and seems to have continued right up until the introduction of Barber coins in 1892, and the use of modern die preparation methods.
The basic difference between overdates made from salvaged dies, and error coins of the 20th century is the intent and way in which they were made. Older coins were definitely altered to save money and speed up production at the mint. Only previously unused dies were altered and all of the work was done by hand, impressing one date or numeral on top of another to make the change.
Modern Dies
Modern dies are made from hubs that contain the complete design and date and can quickly replicate as many working dies as are needed. Near the end of each year new hubs are prepared with the next year’s date, and production begins on new dies simultaneously with those of the ending year. Each die is given at least two impressions from the master hub to bring out the design. The dies are removed from the press and softened in between blows from the hub. It is at that point where an error could occur where a die is given one impression from a hub dated 1941, and later a second blow from another hub dated 1942.
Collectors cherish overdate coins because they are unusual and an interesting account of how the Mint operated in past times. Some of the early overdated dies produced coins that are so bold and easy to see that obviously no effort was made to erase traces of the past date. Others have so skillfully changed that we are not entirely certain about the alteration.
Coins struck from Mint altered dies must not be confused with coins that have been tooled or altered after they left the Mint. Those are clearly deceptive pieces meant to pass as something other than what they actually are. Most coin catalogs and listings identify genuine overdate coins with descriptions like “1807/6” or “1807, 7 over 6.” European catalogs are often more descriptive with wording like “1807 with 6 in the date altered to 7.” Call them what you will: “overdates”, “repunched dates”, or “altered dates”, they are some of the most interesting of all U.S. coins.
Courtesy of The American Historic Society Coin Collector's Newsletter
