[The following excerpt is published courtesy of DLRC Press and its author, Gloria Peters & Cynthia Mohon. This information was originally published in 1995 in The Complete Guide to Shield and Liberty Head Nickels

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Error Coinage

Error collecting like variety collecting is for those who enjoy a wonderful detective story, but without the “whodunit” part. The emphasis here is rather on the how this error was created and how unusual it is in appearance. Errors are usually more flamboyant than varieties, but they are closely related. Both are minting mistakes. The availability of errors in the Liberty Head series is limited compared to Lincoln cents, or to varieties in the Shield series, but there are some and a few are dramatic. Most we have pictured are striking errors, but we did include one planchet and die error to round out the three major types. Shield and Liberty Head nickels can be found in most of the official error categories.

The simplest method of describing and recording mint errors is to use Alan Herbert’s PDS major category definition. Herbert in 1978 and 1991 wrote that he considers errors a sub-category of minting varieties and all are classified under the scope of the PDS system. The system is defined as follows: P is a planchet error-Division I; D refers to a die error-Division II; and S stands for a strike error-Division III. Within each of the PDS major categories are a multitude of sub-categories. The categories may be referred to as Divisions or Classes, with more sub-titles such as I-D 2, III-F- 4 and so forth. Some error publications prefer to use descriptions of the error type, however they still use the major PDS (Planchet, Die and Strike) categories.

Collecting by type, for all series, is a popular method of assembling an error collection, as is concentrating on one or perhaps two major series. However, since errors are not that plentiful the collector tends to be eclectic. The grade of an error is secondary to the error itself.

We have included a small photo representative sample of Planchet, Die, and Strike errors in this section. There are many books, numismatic periodicals and clubs which specialize in errors if further exploration into this interesting area is desired.

Not all coins represented as errors are created by accident. A genuine error is created by the mint during the minting process whereas the fake and/or alteration error was produced after the coin was released into circulation. Fake errors are not designated as counterfeits in the normal sense of the word, although the intent may be the same — to defraud the unaware buyer. The use of acid to alter a coin is popular, as are grinding wheels, files, wire brushes, plating, hammers, pliers, glue, toning chemicals, welding torch, soldering iron, metal punches and perhaps the latest innovation, the laser. The collector’s best guarantee against buying a fraudulent error coin is to use a good magnifying glass, know what a genuine regular issue coin looks like, ask questions on how the error was done and purchase a couple of good books which include the minting process. In addition, there are grading services which will verify the authenticity and type of error if requested. Even the knowledgeable, both seller and buyer, can be fooled sometimes.

Cracked Planchet-Grease filled die.

Date on obv. and last part of STATES and OF are grease filled and obliterated.

Double Strike 1866.

First strike was centered. Before the coin was ejected from the coin press, it was struck off center a second time. Rare.

Off-Center Strike — Clipped Planchet

1893. Straight Clipped Planchet right side. Off center approximately 15% south/east. Very Rare. Coin courtesy of Pete Bishal.

Lamination 1883 Shield.

The reverse had a planchet lamination probably over a bubble causing the planchet to be thinner on that side. On the reverse, the lamination peeled off (possibly w/die), leaving a striated surface. On the obverse there was insufficient metal to fill the die. Rare. Coin courtesy of Larry Briggs.

Off-Center Strike:

12% @ 9 o’clock Coin courtesy of Pete Bishal.

Split Planchet Coin

was struck, both obv. and rev., before splitting in half. Extremely Rare. Coin courtesy of Pete Bishal.

Off-Center:

10% @ 4 o’clock Scarce Coin courtesy of Pete Bishal.

Cud 1866:

Minor rim cuds @ 3-5 o’clock. Coin courtesy of Larry Briggs.

Off-Center Strike:

10% @ 6 o’clock Coin courtesy of Larry Briggs.

Broadstruck Scarce.

Coin courtesy of Larry Briggs.

Broadstruck/Railroad Rim.

Rare. Coin courtesy of Larry Briggs.

Cud 1867.

Large cud 8-9 o’clock. Coin courtesy of Larry Briggs.

Planchet Lamination Rectangle strip of metal missing from rev. (1909) Coin courtesy of Larry Briggs. /Planchet Lamination Metal missing from stars 8-12 on obv. Coin courtesy of Larry Briggs.

Defective Planchet Flawed flan between 10-11 o’clock. Coin courtesy of Larry Briggs. / Planchet Lamination Lamination flaw @ 9 o’clock. (1883 No Cents) Coin courtesy of Joe Haney.

Clipped Planchet Straight clip between 9-11 o’clock. Very Scarce. Coin courtesy of Joe Haney./ Cud Date struck on top of retained cud. Coin courtesy of Larry Briggs.

Planchet Clips Curved clip at 8 o’clock. Possible disk clip @ 4 o’clock. Scarce. Coin courtesy of Joe Haney. / Planchet Clip Ragged clip @11 o’clock. Scarce. Coin courtesy of Joe Haney.

RPD and Planchet Clip 1897.

Repunched Date. 1 punched South & to left, corrected North & to right. 8 shows slight adjustment South & right; 9 & 7 both punched South corrected North. Curved clip between 12 & 1 o’clock. Very Scarce. Coin courtesy of Joe Haney.

Lamination Rev.

lamination flaw @ 10 o’clock. (1910) Coin courtesy of Joe Haney.

Off-Center Strike

10% @ 11 o’clock. Coin courtesy of Joe Haney.