Common Errors in Coins

Difficult as it is to understand, it is a hard fact that people collect coins bearing errors on it. Coin collectors consider these errors unique and therefore worth a place in their precious collection. This peculiar interest in error coins makes them worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars apiece. So what are error coins actually? Error coins, as the name suggests, are coins with imperfections made during production. These imperfections may be caused by problems or errors during manufacturing. A lot of things can go wrong from the preparation of the coin blanks, or planchets, to the actual striking of design on the coins. These mistakes can either be machine or human error. Sometimes even both. Whatever it is, these error coins are prized by coin collectors because they are rare and not supposed to be released into circulation. However, some still escape the Mint’s inspection and get into the hands of consumers and eventually pass from hand to hand. However, there are glaring errors on coins that cannot go unnoticed. Here are some types of errors commonly committed during the manufacture of coins.

Bonded Coins.
These are like Siamese twin coins. Two coins joined together accidentally because of machine malfunction. This type of error coin rarely gets into circulation because it’s a glaring error.

Brockage Coins.
These are coins that bear a mirror image of another coin. This happens when an already struck coin gets stuck to the upper die and gets stamped on a new blank coin. The newly struck coin will bear a mirror image of the coin stuck in the upper die.

Clipped planchet error.
These are the coins, which were accidentally clipped, chipped or cut. This occurs when the planchet or blank coin is not properly position, so apart is cut during the striking process.

Double denomination errors.
These are coins bearing two different denominations. Sometimes a coin is mistakenly struck for a second time by a different die meant for a different denomination.

Folded over coin error.
Coins with this error are barely recognizable because they are bent and folded in half. This happens when the planchet is struck while it is standing vertically.

Lamination mint error in numismatics.
Now, this is the error that you have to carefully consider because it can be faked. This error comes out on coins like cracks or peelings.

Off-center strike error.
This is the most common of errors in coins. This error occurs when the planchet is not properly positioned and the image on the die lands off the center of the coin.

Partial Collar coin.
This is also another kind of striking error, wherein the metal ring is not correctly placed and causes the partial reeding along the coin’s edge.

Weak strike Error.
If not enough pressure is applied during the striking process, it will result in an indistinguishable image design on the coin.

Here below we show you two pictures from an old “Republic Francaise Un Decime L’an 7 mintmark A” copper coin. This was an off-center strike error.

The French Republic Off-center strike error coin – Obverse

The French Republic Off-center strike error coin – Reverse

So it could be worth the time to check out the coins in your wallet for any error coins as we mentioned on the Valuable Coins Found in Pocket Change page.