US coins can have various errors, some of which are quite valuable to collectors. These errors often occur during the minting process and can be categorized into several types:
These errors relate to the blank metal disc (planchet) used to make the coin. Examples include:
- Blank Planchet: The disc is never struck by the dies, [resulting in a blank piece of metal,].
- Clipped Planchet: A portion of the planchet is missing, [often forming a crescent shape due to a misfeed during blanking,].
- Wrong Planchet: The coin is struck on a planchet intended for a different denomination or even a foreign coin. A famous example is the 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent, struck on a copper planchet instead of the correct steel composition.
- Lamination Flaw: Impurities within the planchet metal cause the surface to peel or flake off.
- Split Planchet: A severe lamination flaw can cause the planchet to split into two halves, either before or after striking.
These errors stem from issues with the dies used to impress the design onto the coin. Examples include:
- Doubled Die: The die receives multiple, slightly misaligned impressions from the hub, resulting in a doubled appearance of the design elements . The 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent is a well-known example.
- Die Crack: Stress on the die can cause cracks, which appear as raised lines on the struck coin.
- Cud: A die break at the edge causes a raised, unstruck area on the coin.
- Die Clash: The obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet in between, causing images from one die to be impressed on the other. The “Bugs Bunny” Franklin half dollar of 1955 is a classic example.
- Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) or Overmintmark (OMM): Errors in punching the mint mark onto the die or punching a different mint mark over an existing one.
- Overdate: An older date is visible beneath the correct date due to the reuse and re-punching of dies.
- Mule: A coin struck with dies not intended to be used together, such as the obverse of one denomination and the reverse of another.
These occur during the actual striking of the planchet. Examples include:
- Off-Center Strike: The die strikes the planchet when it is not perfectly centered, causing part of the design to be missing or off-kilter.
- Broadstrike: The coin is struck without being held in the retaining collar, causing it to have a larger-than-normal diameter.
- Multiple Strike: The coin is struck more than once, with each strike leaving an impression.
- Strike-Through: A foreign object, such as grease or debris, comes between the die and the planchet during striking, leaving an impression or preventing a complete strike.
- Double Denomination: A coin is fed through the presses for two different denominations, resulting in a combination of the two designs.
- Distinguishing between genuine mint errors and post-mint damage (damage that occurred after the coin left the mint) is crucial for collectors.
- While some errors are more common than others, rarity and the condition of the coin are significant factors in determining its value.
- [According to BOLD Precious Metals] , errors in coins dated after 2002 may be particularly valuable due to improvements in minting processes and fewer errors being released into circulation.
What coin is worth $40,000?
Good point! PCGS values a 1966 Jefferson Nickel in MS66 FS as worth $40,000 and the reason is the grade (MS66) and the striking designation “Full Steps” or “FS”. The 1966 nickel is extremely rare when the steps are fully struck and in the grade MS66 it’s a registry quality coin.