Error Coins
Discover the fascinating world of mint mistakes and coin errors. These unique coins, born from production flaws, tell stories of manufacturing mishaps and create some of the most sought-after collectibles in numismatics.
Types of Coin Errors
Planchet Errors
Mistakes in the blank metal disc before striking, including wrong planchets, clipped planchets, and incomplete planchets.
Die Errors
Flaws in the coin dies that create repeating mistakes, including cracked dies, cuds, and die breaks.
Strike Errors
Mistakes during the minting process, including off-center strikes, brockage, and multiple strikes.
Mintmark Errors
Mistakes in mintmark placement or style, including overpunched mintmarks and missing mintmarks.
Discover Error Coins
Filter by error type, country, denomination, and rarity to find unique mint mistakes
Discovering mint mistakes...
Famous Error Coins
1955 DDO Lincoln Cent
Famous doubled die obverse with dramatic doubling visible on date and lettering.
2004 Wisconsin Quarter
State quarter with extra leaf on corn stalk - both high and low leaf varieties.
1943 Copper Lincoln Cent
Bronze planchets accidentally struck in 1943 when cents were supposed to be steel.
1972 DDO Lincoln Cent
Highly sought-after doubled die with dramatic doubling on entire obverse.
Error Coin Grading
Error Significance
How dramatic and visually appealing the error appears. Major errors that are easily visible command higher premiums.
Error Type Rarity
Some error types are more common than others. Unique or rarely seen errors carry significant premiums.
Overall Coin Condition
Even error coins are graded on the Sheldon scale. Higher-grade error coins are exponentially more valuable.
Market Demand
Popular error types with strong collector following often command higher prices regardless of rarity.
Error Coin Valuation Factors
What Makes Error Coins Valuable?
Error Visibility
Errors that are immediately noticeable and dramatic typically command higher premiums. Subtle errors may only interest specialists.
Rarity of Error Type
Some errors occur more frequently than others. Unique or extremely rare error types can be worth thousands of times face value.
Coin Denomination & Series
Errors on popular series (like Lincoln Cents or Morgan Dollars) often have stronger markets and higher values.
Overall Condition
An error coin in Mint State condition can be worth dramatically more than the same error in circulated condition.
Error Coin Value Examples
Error Coin Hunting Guide
Know What to Look For
Study different error types and their characteristics. Use magnification and proper lighting to examine coins carefully.
Check Common Areas
Focus on the rims, dates, mintmarks, and lettering where errors are most likely to occur and be visible.
Search Circulation
Many valuable errors are found in everyday change. Bank rolls, especially customer-wrapped rolls, can be productive.
Document Your Finds
Keep detailed records of your error coin discoveries, including where and when you found them and their characteristics.