Coins that came out of the production process with mistakes, also known as mint error coins, are exciting finds for collectors. Consult this guide if you’re interested in adding some mint errors to your collection of old coins. 

What Are Mint Error Coins?

Mint error coins are those that were damaged during production. These pieces can be sorted into three categories: planchet, die, or strike. Planchet errors include chips, cracks, dents, or cuts in the metal disc that the coin was printed on. Die errors occur when a coin is created using a die that doesn’t follow U.S. Mint standards. Strike errors happen when the imprint on the coin is done incorrectly. 

Why Are Error Coins Valuable? 

These pieces are valuable because they’re rare—the modern minting process is so predictable that mistakes are unusual, even on old coins. Error coins are often classified on a scale of one to eight, with one being common and eight being extremely rare.

Guides can point out specific types of errors and help you determine the worth of your mistake coins. However, it’s worth noting that collector preferences change frequently, so pinning down the exact value of error pieces, especially old coins, can be tricky without an appraisal. 

What Are Some Common Types of Error Coins? 

All sorts of mistakes can happen during the printing process. In a wrong planchet error, the coin disc is stamped with the wrong imprint for its type. For an off-center stamp, the planchet is stamped with a misaligned die.

You might stumble across a double- or triple-struck coin, where the die strikes the disc multiple times. Bonded coins, or two coins stuck together, have also been found by collectors. It’s worth consulting a guide book to see all the types of error coins you can collect. 

If you love collecting coins or stamps, head to Hawaiian Islands Stamp and Coin in Honolulu. Their experts have helped locals find rare coins and appraise items from existing collections since 1973. They also carry rare types of paper money and artifacts from Hawaii’s history. See the items they have for sale online, or make an appointment by calling (808) 531-6251.