United States Error Coins
Discover the Most Fascinating Mint Mistakes Collectors Love
What Are Error Coins?
Error coins are unique treasures in numismatics. They result from mistakes during the minting process. For example, these coins display flaws that make them stand out. Collectors find them fascinating due to their rarity. Moreover, each error tells a story about the minting process. These coins offer a glimpse into the imperfections of coin production.
Common Types of Errors
They come in many varieties. Off-center strikes occur when the design is misaligned. Die breaks create cracks or raised lines on the coin. Additionally, indents happen when foreign objects interfere with striking. Struck-through errors result from debris on the die. For instance, coins with clipped planchets have missing edges. Each type adds to the coin’s uniqueness.
Why Collectors Love Error Coins
These mint mistakes captivate collectors for several reasons. Their rarity increases their value. Furthermore, they challenge collectors to identify specific errors. For example, double die coins show doubled images, making them highly sought after. Coins with missing lettering are also prized. Therefore, these coins are both rewarding and exciting to collect.
Rare Minting Anomalies
A Visual Database of United States Minting Anomalies
A Comprehensive Guide to Unlock Hidden Value in America’s Rarest Mint Errors and Variations. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the insider knowledge and expert techniques to identify, evaluate, and profit from these rare treasures.
Identify authentic errors and avoid common misidentifications with tips on using magnification tools and professional grading services. With detailed case studies of iconic error coins and practical strategies for starting and managing a collection.
1955 Lincoln Double Die Cent
The 1955 Double Die Lincoln Cent stands as one of the most dramatic and recognizable mint errors in American coinage history. Created when a misaligned hub struck the working die twice during production at the Philadelphia Mint, this error resulted in a spectacular doubling effect visible to the naked eye, most prominently on "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and the date "1955" where a distinct shadow image appears offset from the primary strike. Approximately 20,000 to 24,000 of these error cents entered circulation through cigarette vending machines in the northeastern United States, and when first discovered, many Americans assumed they were counterfeits due to their unusual appearance. The U.S. Mint initially considered recalling the coins but ultimately decided against it, determining that the error posed no threat to the currency system. Today, this iconic error coin commands impressive premiums in the numismatic market, with circulated examples trading for several hundred to over a thousand dollars, while high-grade uncirculated specimens can fetch $10,000 to $20,000 or more, making it a cornerstone piece for serious Lincoln cent collectors and a fascinating chapter in American minting history that continues to captivate collectors more than six decades later.
1922 Plain "No D" Lincoln Cent
The 1922 Plain Lincoln Cent, also known as the "No D" variety, emerged from a unique confluence of circumstances at the Denver Mint during a challenging production year when Denver was the only mint striking Lincoln cents, as both Philadelphia and San Francisco had ceased penny production to focus on other denominations. Working under pressure to meet demand with worn dies, mint workers continued using dies that had been polished multiple times to remove clash marks and surface defects, and this excessive polishing gradually obliterated the "D" mint mark on some dies, creating cents that appeared to have been struck at Philadelphia when they were actually Denver products. The mystery surrounding these coins wasn't immediately recognized until astute collectors began studying the die characteristics and comparing the coins to known Philadelphia patterns, revealing that these were indeed Denver Mint products with their identifying marks worn away. Three distinct die varieties exist, with the strongest "No D" variety showing virtually no trace of the mint mark, and depending on condition and die variety, these coins can command prices ranging from several hundred dollars in lower grades to over $20,000 for gem uncirculated examples, serving as a reminder of the demanding production schedules faced by the U.S. Mint in the 1920s and the fascinating varieties that can result from die deterioration and excessive maintenance procedures.
1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel
The 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel represents one of the most visually striking and easily identifiable error coins in American numismatics, originating at the Denver Mint when an overzealous die polishing operation removed critical design elements from the reverse die, including the buffalo's front right leg and much of the inscription below. Rather than discarding the damaged die, production continued, creating thousands of nickels depicting a three-legged buffalo—an anatomical impossibility that makes this error instantly recognizable even to novice collectors. News of the three-legged variety spread quickly through the numismatic community in 1937, and collectors immediately began searching circulation for examples, making it one of the first modern error coins to achieve widespread recognition during its year of issue. The Denver Mint struck approximately 17 million Buffalo nickels in 1937, but only a small fraction show the three-legged variety, with estimates suggesting perhaps 5,000 to 10,000 were released into circulation. Today, the 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel is considered essential for any serious Buffalo nickel collection, with values ranging from around $500 for heavily worn examples to $5,000 or more for coins in uncirculated condition, while premium gem specimens have sold for over $100,000 at major auctions, standing as a testament to how production shortcuts and quality control lapses can create some of the most desirable and valuable varieties in American coinage.
'
