What is an error coin?
Short answerAn error coin is a coin that left the mint with a mistake, such as a wrong planchet, off-center strike, or doubled die. These errors happen during production and are not intentional.
Definition and Causes
An error coin is any coin that was produced with a manufacturing defect at the mint. Errors can occur from problems with the die, the planchet (blank metal disc), or the striking process.
Common causes include die cracks, misaligned dies, planchets that are the wrong size or metal, and multiple strikes. These mistakes are usually caught by quality control, but some slip into circulation.
- Die errors: cracks, chips, or doubled images on the die itself.
- Planchet errors: wrong metal, wrong size, or missing clad layer.
- Strike errors: off-center, broadstruck, or multiple strikes.
- Intentional damage after minting is not a true error.
Error vs. Variety
A variety is a deliberate design change, like a different mint mark or a new reverse design. An error is an unintended mistake during production.
For example, a 1955 doubled die cent is a variety because the die was hubbed twice, creating a doubled image. An off-center strike is an error because the planchet was misaligned when struck.
Common mistakes
- Thinking any odd-looking coin is an error; many are just damaged or worn.
- Confusing a variety (intentional design difference) with an error (unintended mistake).
- Assuming all errors are valuable; most common errors are worth only a few dollars.
