A coin found in a dryer is typically considered damaged and worth only its face value.
The characteristic appearance of these “dryer coins,” often with a smooth or worn edge, is usually due to the coin spinning and being abraded within the dryer drum or from being “spooned” (damaged by being repeatedly struck with a spoon or other hard object around its edge). This is considered post-mint damage, and as such, it doesn’t add any value to the coin from a collector’s perspective.
While coins with errors from the minting process can be valuable, dryer coins are not mint errors. They are considered damaged and are not sought after by serious collectors.
It’s important to differentiate between actual error coins and coins that have been damaged after leaving the mint, as only genuine mint errors possess significant numismatic value.








What is a dryer coin error?
Thanks for asking. Definition -This term is used in reference to abused coins that have tumbled around inside of an industrial dryer.
What does a dryer penny look like?
Great question! Okay this person you know owned a laundromat. And they found them in the dryer.
What happens if there is a coin in the dryer?
From my experience, Coins that make it through the wash cycle often slide under the baffles inside the dryer. When this happens the dryer makes a clanging noise as the drum rotates. The baffles or paddles are use to tumble the clothes while the drum is turning.
What is a spooned coin worth?
It isn’t an error, it looks like it was damaged by spinning in the drum of a dryer or it was spooned around the edge. Both of these are considered damaged and cause this kind of appearance on a coin. It’s worth face value.