Definition

• Diecrack.  A crevice in the surface of a die, caused by wear and metal stress. Diecracks usually start near the rim, or lettering, or steep-pitched relief – where the metal stress is the greatest – and progress inward toward the center of the die's surface.  Such a crevice causes a raised line on any piece struck from that die and when still very light such a crevice is called hairline. With continued use of the die the diecrack may increase in severity – in width and/or length – that all pieces struck from it need to be rejected, or chased to salvage them. Even more continued use may cause two or more such nearby diecracks to join together forming a diechip. See also broken die, shattered die.
  Reference:                                                                                                                               
  NM19 {1991} Margolis, p 181-186.

  excerpted with permission from

  An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology

  For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators

  COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON

  Roger W. Burdette, Editor

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