When it comes to collecting coins, mistakes can be very useful. These mistakes, which can happen during the minting or printing process, can make a coin much rarer than others in circulation.
Coin fans really want these coins. If you want to find secret gems in your change, here are three of the most common mistakes that can make coins worth a lot more.
1. Double-die coins, which are most often found on U.S. coins
It’s called a “double die error” when the die strikes the same coin twice, but the second time it’s a little off-center. This makes the image look twice as big, which you can see most often in the letters or numbers on the coin.
The 1955 Double Die Lincoln Cent is the most well-known example of this, but other coins, like the very expensive 1969-S Lincoln Cent, can also have this mistake.
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This is one of the easiest mistakes to spot because the doubling is easy to see in the letters or numbers. Because there aren’t many coins with this mistake, it makes them much more valuable.
Value: Like, a 1955 Double Die Lincoln Cent that is in good shape can be worth anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000 or even more, based on its grade. If it is in perfect shape, a 1969-S Lincoln Cent with the same mistake can fetch $30,000 or more.
2. Coins that aren’t in the middle
What It Is: Off-center mistakes happen when the coin is struck without being lined up correctly with the die. Because of this, some of the pattern is cut off on one side, leaving a coin with some of the image missing or moved around.
The amount of misalignment can be different; some coins are only slightly off-center, while others may be missing a big part of the image.
Why It’s Important: Because they are so rare, coins that aren’t in the middle are very valuable. The further off-center the coin is, the more noticeable it is, and collectors really like coins with this kind of mistake.
The mistake means that the coin was made quickly, in a strange situation, or with a broken press, which makes it an interesting piece of history.
The value of these coins depends on how far off-center they are struck. They can be worth $100 to $5,000 or even more.
A coin that isn’t centered and is missing a lot of the design can sell for more money, especially if it is rare or from a popular series.
3. Making the Wrong Planchet Mistakes
A wrong planchet mistake happens when a coin is struck on the wrong kind of metal planchet, which means it’s made of the wrong stuff.
A copper penny could be struck on a silver dime planchet by mistake, or a coin could be struck on a planchet meant for a different denomination. When metals don’t match up, coins can be made that are both physically interesting and very rare.
Why It’s Important: Wrong planchet coins are very valuable because they are very hard to find. Since the U.S. Mint makes different coins with different types of planchets, a coin made from the wrong one is both a mistake and a unique piece of history.
For example, a silver coin struck on a copper planchet will look, feel, and weigh differently than standard coins. This makes it an interesting anomaly for collectors.
Value: The wrong planchet coins can be worth a lot of money, especially if they contain valuable metals.
For instance, a copper penny from 1983 struck on a zinc planchet could sell for $10,000 or more, while a different denomination coin struck on a planchet in 1970 could sell for more than $100,000, based on how rare and well-kept it is.
Finally, some thoughts
Misprints on coins are an interesting part of numismatics, and they can help collectors find valuable things in their change.
Even though these mistakes look like they should be easy to spot, they can be worth a lot of money because they are rare, unique, or just look weird.
You should look more closely at a coin that seems a little off if you find one. It might be worth more than you think!
