Coin errors, also known as mint errors, are fascinating anomalies that occur during the coin production process. These errors can significantly increase a coin’s value and are highly sought after by collectors.
Here are some common types of coin errors:
- Doubled Die (DDO/DDR): This error happens when the hub strikes the die multiple times in slightly different positions, resulting in a doubled or even tripled image on the coin. Doubling can be on the obverse (DDO) or reverse (DDR). [According to Coins Auctioned] , the coin’s value depends on how clear and noticeable the error is.
- Clipped Planchet: A section of the coin’s edge is missing due to a planchet error before the strike.
- Split Planchet: The planchet, or blank coin, separates into two halves, either before or after being struck. Split planchets can show design on both sides (if split before strike) or only on one side with a rough, striated surface on the other (if split after strike).
- Die Crack: A crack in the die transfers to the coins as a thin, raised line.
- Major Die Break (Cud): A section of the die breaks off, creating a blank blob on the coin where the die broke.
- Die Clash: If the planchet isn’t in the collar to hold it in place, the top and bottom dies can strike each other, leaving partial impressions. This results in “clash marks” – partial, sunken features on the coin.
- Die Cap: A previously struck planchet doesn’t eject properly and gets stuck to the die, repeatedly striking new planchets and becoming bottle-cap-shaped. Coins struck with a capped die can appear blank or have a distorted image.
- Misaligned Die: The obverse or reverse die is not perfectly centered during the strike, leading to an uneven rim or shifted design.
- Broadstruck: The coin is struck outside of the retaining collar, causing the planchet to expand beyond its normal diameter.
- Overdate/Overmintmark: An older type of error where a new date or mintmark is punched onto an existing die, leaving remnants of the old one visible.
- Mule: A coin struck with dies not intended to be used together, such as a proof die and a business strike die.
- Struck-Through Error: An object, such as grease, dirt, or foreign material, gets between the die and the planchet during the strike, causing a faded or missing design.
- Wrong Planchet: The coin is struck on a planchet intended for a different denomination or metal. For example, a penny struck on a clad T-1 blank could appear silver instead of copper.
To see visual examples of these errors, you can explore resources like the [Pinterest board “Error Coins”], [Check Your Change’s error coins images] , or videos on YouTube demonstrating various types of coin errors. Websites and books dedicated to error coins are also excellent resources for further exploration and identification.
Is there a list of coin errors?
I can help with that. Labels used to identify specific categories of errors may describe the cause of the error ( die crack, rotated die, clipped planchet ), the appearance of the coin (wavy steps, trails, missing element) or other factors (mule, cud, brockage).
How to spot coin errors?
From my experience, One being die errors first off we have double die errors a double die occurs when a misaligned striking impression from the hub strikes the planchet. So basically things are off center causing it to
What is a broadstruck error coin?
Broadstruck coins are those that are struck outside of the retaining collar. Without a collar there is nothing to contain the coin as it is struck and the planchet expands to a diameter larger than that for a coin struck in a collar.