Coin Errors vs. Coin Varieties
In coin collecting, coin errors and coin varieties are related but fundamentally different concepts. Understanding the distinction is important because collectors, grading companies, and price guides classify them differently.
On our Varieties web page, we have individual pages for all of the major varieties for each denomination.
There are links to images on Variety Vista, which will show you what you need to look for when hunting for varieties.
There are also links to PCGS, where you can get retail prices on the varieties.
Also, check out Error-ref.com, as they have very detailed information on errors and varieties.
What Is a Coin Error?
A coin error is a mistake that happens during the manufacturing (minting) process of an individual coin.
Characteristics of Coin Errors
- Accidental
- Random
- Usually affects one coin or a small batch
- Caused by planchet, die, or striking problems
Examples of Coin Errors
- Off-center strike
- Double strike
- Broadstrike
- Clipped planchet
- Wrong planchet
- Die crack
- Cud
What Is a Coin Variety?
A coin variety is a repeatable difference in the die itself.
Characteristics of Coin Varieties
- Created before coins are struck
- Appears on every coin made from that die
- Repeatable and identifiable
- Usually caused during die creation or modification
Examples of Coin Varieties
- DDO (Doubled Die Obverse)
- DDR (Doubled Die Reverse)
- RPM (Repunched Mintmark)
- OMM (Over Mintmark)
- Overdates
- Large Date / Small Date
Quick Difference Summary
| Type | Cause | Repeatable? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Error | Minting accident | No | Off-center strike |
| Variety | Die difference | Yes | DDO Lincoln Cent |
Major Coin Varieties
DDO — Doubled Die Obverse
A Doubled Die Obverse occurs when the obverse die receives a slightly misaligned impression during die creation.
Common Areas Affected
- LIBERTY
- Date
- IN GOD WE TRUST
Famous Examples
- 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent
- 1972 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent
- 1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Cent
Images
1955-P 1C DDO FS-101
1972-P 1C DDO FS-101
1969-S 1C DDO FS-101
Diagnostics
- Split serifs
- Strong separation lines
- Distinct secondary image
DDR — Doubled Die Reverse
A Doubled Die Reverse is the same phenomenon occurring on the reverse side of the coin.
Common Areas Affected
- ONE CENT
- E PLURIBUS UNUM
- Eagle feathers
Images
2004-P 1C DDR FS-801
RPM — Repunched Mintmark
An RPM occurs when a mintmark is punched into a die multiple times in slightly different positions.
Types of RPMs
- North/South shift
- East/West shift
- Tilted mintmark
Common Coins with RPMs
- Lincoln cents
- Buffalo nickels
- Mercury dimes
Images
1945-D 10C FS-501
OMM — Over Mintmark
An Over Mintmark occurs when one mintmark is punched over another mintmark.
Examples
- S over D
- D over S
Famous OMM Coins
- 1944-D/S Lincoln Cent
- 1900-O/CC Morgan Dollar
Images
1946-S 1C D/S FS-511
1946-S 1C S/D FS-511
1900-O VAM-8 O/O/CC Centered Shifted Left
Overdates
An overdate occurs when one date is punched over another date.
Examples
- 1942/1 Mercury Dime
- 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel
Images
1942/1-D 10C Overdate, FS-101
1918/7-D 5C Overdate, FS-101
Large Date / Small Date Varieties
Different numeral sizes were sometimes used during the same production year.
Examples
- 1960 Small Date Lincoln Cent
- 1982 Small Date Lincoln Cent
Images
1960 1C Small Versus Large Date
1982-D 1C Small Versus Large Date
Wide AM / Close AM Varieties
These varieties refer to the spacing between the letters A and M in “AMERICA.”
- Wide AM — noticeable gap
- Close AM — letters nearly touching
Famous Examples
- 1998 Wide AM Lincoln Cent
- 1999 Wide AM Lincoln Cent
- 2000 Wide AM Lincoln Cent
- 1992 Close AM Lincoln Cent
- 1992-D Close AM Lincoln Cent
Images
Close-AM Versus Wide-AM
Doubled Dies vs. Machine Doubling
| Feature | True Doubled Die | Machine Doubling |
|---|---|---|
| Created During | Die manufacturing | Coin striking |
| Value | Usually valuable | Usually little/no premium |
| Appearance | Split serifs & separation | Flat shelf-like doubling |
Images
Examples:
Major Coin Error Categories
| Error Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Off-center Strike | Coin struck outside collar alignment |
| Broadstrike | Coin struck without collar restraint |
| Double Strike | Coin struck more than once |
| Clipped Planchet | Missing portion of coin blank |
| Wrong Planchet | Coin struck on incorrect blank |
| Die Crack | Raised crack caused by damaged die |
| Cud | Broken die section causing raised blob |
| Brockage | Mirror-image impression from another coin |
| Mule Coin | A coin is struck using two dies that were never intended to be paired together |
| Die Clash | Both dies hit each other without a coin between them, leaving images of the opposing design. |
Images
Off-center Strike
Doubles Strike
Clipped Planchet
Wrong Planchet
Dime Struck On Penny Planchet
Die Crack
Cud
Brockage
A normal coin (left) and a brockaged coin (right) side by side.
Mule Coin
2000 Mule Sacagawea Dollar with State Quarter Obverse
Die Clash
Rotated Die Clash
I found this one - and you can barely see one of the reverse columns:
Click here for a better image of the above error I found.
Why Some Varieties Are Valuable
The value of a coin variety depends on:
- Rarity
- Visibility of the variety
- Collector demand
- Historical significance
- Condition (grade)
The most valuable varieties are usually dramatic and easy to identify.
Abbreviation Reference Table
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| DDO | Doubled Die Obverse | Variety |
| DDR | Doubled Die Reverse | Variety |
| RPM | Repunched Mintmark | Variety |
| OMM | Over Mintmark | Variety |
| Off-center Strike | Misaligned strike | Error |
| Machine Doubling | Strike movement doubling | Strike issue |