What are the most common types of coin errors?
Strike Errors
Strike errors happen when the dies strike the planchet incorrectly. Off-center strikes occur when the planchet is not centered, leaving part of the design missing. Broadstrikes happen when the planchet is struck without a collar, causing the metal to spread outward.
Clipped planchets are caused by a blanking press that cuts a crescent-shaped piece from the edge. Multiple strikes, where the coin is struck more than once, can create doubled or tripled images.
- Off-center: design shifted, blank area on one side.
- Broadstruck: design stretched to edge, no rim.
- Clipped: curved missing piece from edge.
- Multiple strike: overlapping images.
Die Errors and Planchet Errors
Die errors include doubled dies, where the die is hubbed twice, creating a doubled image on the coin. Die cracks, chips, and breaks can also leave raised lines or blobs on the coin.
Planchet errors include wrong metal (like a copper planchet struck for a silver coin), wrong size, or missing clad layer on clad coins. These errors often result in coins that look different in color or weight.
Common mistakes
- Confusing a clipped planchet with a coin that was cut after minting.
- Mistaking a broadstrike for a coin that was simply flattened.
- Thinking all doubled dies look the same; doubling can be subtle or dramatic.
