Penny Errors To Look For

The hunt for error coins is one of the most exhilarating aspects of coin collecting, but in order to find a diamond in the rough you need to know what penny errors to look for. If you’re lucky enough to acquire coinage with a U.S. mint error or a valuable Lincoln Penny, you’ll probably want to scan your pocket change every chance you get in hopes of the next treasure.

If you enjoy coin collecting, it’s important to know what penny errors to look for while searching for the most valuable pennies. It’s exciting and fun to imagine where you might find a 1943 Copper Lincoln Cent that could change your life.

What Do Penny Errors Look Like?

An error penny is a one-cent coin that has an error in the appearance that originated during the striking process. The most common penny errors are related to the coin die that results in doubled die, die clash, or die crack pennies.

Striking errors can occur if the machine is fed a foreign material or the coin planchet is not in the correct position. An off-center penny is one of the most common types of error coins and a great way to get started in coin collecting.

Finding U.S. coins with an error is not easy, but you can increase the likelihood of finding one by knowing what to look for. With patience and a keen eye, you’ll know a broadstrike or a die cap when you see it.

Are Error Pennies Worth Money?

There are some coin errors that can make coinage worth more than face value depending on the scarcity of the coin and whether it’s a rare error. A more common planchet error could sell for anywhere from $2 to $50, whereas a rare 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny sold for 1.7 million in 2010.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to find a reliable mintage estimate for rare coins with specific errors. If you’re questioning how much a coin is worth, take it to a professional coin grading service for verification.

The most credible and popular grading companies among coin collectors include: Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), and Independent Coin Graders (ICG). Each of these firms will guarantee the grades and authenticity of any of their certified coins, including penny errors. 

How Much Are Error Pennies Worth?

Penny errors are fun to collect because they can have a wide range in value. When you know what to look for, you might find a valuable Lincoln Penny with a rare error that’s still in regular everyday circulation.

It’s hard to give a quick answer on how much an error penny is worth because there are so many variables to consider. The overall value of an error penny coin is determined by its condition, how rare it is, and how drastic the error is.

10 Penny Errors To Look For

There are countless penny errors you could look for among the billions and billions of pennies in circulation today.

If we listed every penny worth money, it would be too overwhelming to get through in one sitting, so we’ll break it down to the top ten penny errors to look for.

• Doubled Die

A doubled die penny is a relatively common penny error to look for. Doubled die errors can occur when there is an error during the hubbing process used to create the die.

A hub is used to create the positive or raised image impressed on the coin. The hub must strike the die several times in order for all the design features to appear on the coin.

Sometimes, the hub will strike the die in a slightly different spot, which results in the appearance of the design being doubled or even tripled in some cases. The more obvious and distinct the die error is, the more it’ll increase the coin’s worth.

• Die Cap

You might hear coin collectors refer to die cap error coins as Bottle Caps or Mushrooms due to their misshapen appearance. This occurs when a penny coin sticks or remains capped on the upper or lower die while it continues to strike more coins. As the coin remains jammed, it will begin to form a bottle cap shape.

The other verse of the penny is typically flat with faded details of the design. These valuable pennies are more scarce, and some can be sold for hundreds of U.S. dollars, depending on the condition.

• Off-Center

One of the most common penny errors to look for is the off-center strike. This type of coin error occurs during the striking process at the United States Mint and results in the coin missing part of its original design.

This happens when the planchet is not positioned properly between the dies, and the coin is struck with only part of the design on the planchet. To qualify as an off-center penny, the coin must be missing part of its design.

Coin grading services rate such coins according to the percentage of the missing design and how drastic the striking error is.

• Blank Planchet

A blank planchet penny is a blank coin, as the name suggests. Sometimes the round piece of source metal that stamps the coin dies will miss a penny coin, which produces an error coin with no design on each side.

There are two types of blank planchet coins: A blank penny is simply a round piece of metal with no design and no rim or raised edge. A planchet penny has no design but does have an upraised rim.

A blank planchet is not as rare as many other types of error pennies.

• Broadstrike

A broadstrikepenny coin can be identified by its abnormal shape. The design is still visible on both sides, but the coin will appear misshapen and possibly too flat.

This type of error occurs at the U.S. Mint when the die collar is improperly positioned or loose, and the coin is struck outside the retaining collar. A broadstrikeerror coin will have a diameter that expands beyond the shape of normal coinage.

When the coin is perfectly centered but struck out-of-collar, it is known as a “broadstrike.” If it’s imperfectly centered and struck out-of-collar, it is called an “uncentered broadstrike.”

• BIE Error

A BIE error coin received its name due to a vertical die break in the design between the B and the E in the word LIBERTY. This type of error penny is exclusive to Lincoln Cents and the Lincoln penny dies. It’s known for displaying die cracks that resemble the letter “I” on the obverse.

A large number of pennies have been struck over the years, and over time, the coin die may begin to show cracks. These die breaks can begin to bulge or swell as raised spots on the surface relief.

Lincoln penny errors are popular among coin collectors and fun to look for.

• Clipped Planchet

Clipped planchet error coins are typically found with a curved or crescent-shaped clip taken out of the side of the coin, making it one of the most obvious penny errors. However, not all clips are perfectly oval-shaped; they may vary in size and have multiple clips.

Clipped planchet errors happen at the U.S. Mint when the coil stock overlaps as the metal planchets are being punched out of their source metal. The clipped percentage and the coin’s condition will determine the penny values.

• Die Clash

A die clash error is a defect in the coin’s design due to a complication with the machinery used to feed blank planchets to the die.

Sometimes there is no coin there to be struck, and the two dies clash against each other. When this happens, the following blanks fed into the die may have alterations in the design, such as the reverse showing features of the obverse or vice-versa.

Lincoln pennies with prominent die clash errors could have higher penny values than error coins with mild clashes.

• Re-punched Mint Mark

A re-punched mint mark (RPM) is a type of penny error with flaws in the stamping of the mint mark. There might be a slight variation in the placement of the “S” for San Francisco or the “P” for Philadelphia.

Re-punched mint marks are pretty common, being that they used to be hand punched by the U.S. Mint until the 1990s. You can locate the mint mark on a Lincoln cent under the coin’s date.

• Filled Die

Filled die error coins happen during the striking process of blank planchets at the U.S. Mint. It’s common for grease or dirt to gather in the die markings and eventually obscure the mint mark on the coin’s design, thus making the penny error.

This can affect how defined the details are at different levels, with weaker mint marks occurring when the foreign matter fills most of the die relief.

Add Rare Pennies to Your US Coin Collection

If you’re on the search for the rarest of penny errors, Bullion Shark is the coin dealer you can always rely on. As an NGC-authorized dealer with an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, you can confidently purchase from our constantly evolving inventory of rare coins.

Sources:

Error Coins | NGC

Error Coin Price Guide with Mint Error Photo Descriptions | CoinNews.net

Rare 1943 penny sells for $200,000 | CBS News

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FAQs

How can collectors safely clean or preserve error pennies without damaging their value?

To safely clean or preserve error pennies without damaging their value, collectors should exercise caution and often opt for minimal intervention. The general consensus among numismatists is that coins, especially those with errors, should not be cleaned, as this can diminish their numismatic value. If preservation is necessary, the best approach is to store the coins in a dry, stable environment and use holders or envelopes made from inert materials to protect them from environmental factors like humidity, which can cause corrosion. For collectors who feel their coins might benefit from cleaning due to dirt accumulation that obscures significant details, consulting with a professional conservator who specializes in numismatic items is advisable. These experts can assess whether cleaning is necessary and can perform the task using methods that minimize the risk of damage.

What specific years or mints should collectors focus on to increase their chances of finding error pennies?

Regarding the specific years or mints that collectors should focus on to increase their chances of finding error pennies, it's useful to note that errors can occur in any year or at any mint. However, certain periods or specific mints might have higher instances of errors due to variations in minting processes or quality control measures. For example, the transition years between major design changes or the introduction of new minting technologies are often fruitful for collectors seeking error coins. Collectors might find it beneficial to research mint reports and numismatic literature that discuss known errors and their origins. This research can help identify promising years or mints to target. Additionally, joining numismatic clubs or forums can provide insights from other collectors on where they have found error pennies.

Are there any emerging trends or newly discovered penny errors that collectors should be aware of?

As for emerging trends or newly discovered penny errors that collectors should be aware of, staying informed through numismatic publications, online forums, and coin shows is crucial. The numismatic community is active, with collectors and experts frequently sharing discoveries of new error types or variations. Subscribing to reputable numismatic newsletters, attending coin shows, and participating in online forums can help collectors stay up-to-date on the latest finds and trends in error pennies. Additionally, following auctions and sales of error coins can reveal what types of errors are currently attracting attention and commanding high prices, which can guide collectors in what to look for in their own searches. New discoveries can also come from unexpected sources, so maintaining a network of fellow collectors and dealers can be invaluable for learning about emerging trends in penny errors.