Error Coins
Coins that left the mint with a striking or planchet fault — off-centre strikes, die cracks, cuds and other genuine mint errors.
Mint errors
An error coin is one that left the mint with a fault in the production process. That is quite different from damage picked up in circulation, and the distinction is the single most important thing to understand before buying: a genuine error happened at the mint, while post-mint damage happened afterwards and carries no premium.
Common error types
- Off-centre strike — the design struck away from the centre of the blank, leaving a blank crescent.
- Die crack and cud — a damaged die leaves a raised line or blob on every coin it strikes.
- Brockage — a previously struck coin sticks to the die and impresses a mirrored design on the next blank.
- Planchet flaw — a fault in the blank itself, such as a lamination or clip.
- Double strike — the coin struck more than once, out of alignment.
Error coins are individual by nature — no two are identical — so the photographs matter more here than in any other category. Check them closely and read the seller's description of what the error is.