Leaderboard

I thought these two coins would be good examples of what Rob was saying . Here's a really clear example of a die clash image being transferred onto the reverse side , Note how sharp the outline of the queens head is right around Britannia . But on the George v coin below which shows extreme ghosting, the outline is softer and is formed by a slight depression forming the outline of the kings head, caused as Rob say's by the flow of metal .

I concur. Die clash results in a sharp reverse image. see below where Victoria's chin and nose leads up from the knee, and the bun is seen behind Britannia's right shoulder. Ghosting by contrast is due to the relief being too high for the amount of metal available to fill the gaps. If the available metal goes towards the obverse, the effect is seen clearly on the reverse which has more blank areas in the field, though can also result in a weak portrait compared to the reverse detail. For another example of ghosting, see the William I PAXS penny in the Norman thread where the high relief of the King's arm at the base of the obverse results in a weak legend from 6 - 9 o'clock on the reverse.

Agreed, but if you hadn't mentioned die clashing. If a blank isn't between the dies when they come together, they clash, and leave impressions of each other on each other. The results usually, as would be expected, show as sharp lines etc- have a look at early bronze pennies of Victoria. Ghosting, by contrast, isn't the result of damage to the dies, and is nebulous and vague, as you would expect. Have a look at early George V pennies.