The value of a coin with a “struck through grease” error can vary significantly depending on several factors.
Here’s a breakdown:
- It occurs when grease or debris clogs the dies during the minting process.
- This material prevents the full design from being impressed onto the coin, resulting in blurry or missing design elements.
- It’s often referred to as “die fill” as the debris fills the die’s recesses.
- Rarity of the Coin Series: Grease strikes can be more valuable on coin series that are rarely found with any type of errors.
- Significance of the Affected Area: Errors affecting large and prominent areas of the coin, like a missing mintmark on a rare date, are generally more valuable.
- Demand: Some grease strikes may hold more value due to being sought after by collectors for specific sets, like the 1909-S VDB or 1914-D Lincoln cents with grease strikes.
- Obscuration: The more the design is obscured, the more dramatic the error, increasing the desirability and potentially the value.
- Condition: Like any collectible coin, the coin’s overall condition plays a role, with uncirculated examples typically holding higher value.
- Many minor grease strikes might only be worth slightly more than face value, particularly those with small or unremarkable impressions.
- More significant errors, especially those affecting key dates or series, can start at around $50-$150.
- In rarer cases, with particularly dramatic obscuring and on sought-after coins, the value can potentially reach into the thousands of dollars.
- Examples on [eBay] showcase a wide range, from under a dollar for minor strikes to over a hundred dollars for more noticeable errors.
- Die Adjustment Strikes: Struck through grease errors only affect the obverse or reverse of the coin, whereas die adjustment strikes show proportional weakness on both sides and the edge.
- Consult Error Coin Resources: Utilize specialized websites like Error-Ref.com and Sullivan Numismatics for information and examples.
- Browse Online Marketplaces: Check sold listings on platforms like [eBay] to see what similar errors have recently fetched.
- Seek Expert Appraisal: For coins with potentially significant value, consult a reputable coin dealer or auction house specializing in error coins for an accurate appraisal.
Are struck through coins valuable?
From my experience, While some rarer, more obvious strikethroughs, especially those on gold and silver coins, can go for thousands, there are many that sell for only slightly more than face value. That makes them attractive to many collectors who expect their value to increase over time.
What is struck through grease error coin?
Coin’s struck through grease have a blurry image, as seen in the Louisiana quarter shown above. Sometimes the grease strike will partially obliterate the design, while at other times it will completely do so.
What does a struck through error look like on a coin?
Good point! A retained, struck-through error (otherwise known as a “struck-in” error or an “embedded struck-through”) will usually be demarcated from the rest of the coin by a narrow fissure. If it is a sizable piece of debris, it will push the coin’s weight beyond normal tolerances.