Off Center vs. Misaligned Die Strikes

Anyone who coin roll hunts or cherry picks will undoubtedly come across many different types of errors and varieties. Knowing what they are and how to tell the difference between an error, variety, or just plain damage can be difficult for some, while others seem to be able to catch on quickly. Using the proper terminology is also a pet-peave of many collectors. This article will be addressing a few of these issues, but about a specific type or types of errors.

What is an off center strike? An off center strike is when the coin is struck by the dies, but the design is not fully centered on the coin. An off center strike will have the same effect on BOTH sides of the coin and in most cases will change the shape from circular to oblong. This error happens when the coin is not fed into the striking chamber properly for one reason or another. These errors can be valuable and are a popular type of error with collectors. Values are based on a few different factors. How far off center the strike is, and whether or not the date is showing are important factors when trying to value the error. Of course, condition is also important. Minor off center strikes are very common and typically add little to no value. Typically a coin will have to be struck off center by 15% or more to add value.


What is a misaligned die strike? A misaligned die strike is when only one side of the coin is struck off center. This happens when the hammer die (obverse) and anvil die (reverse) are not lined up properly for one reason or another. Once again, minor versions of these are very common and add no value, but more extreme examples are scarce and can be quite valuable.

The visual below was created by Ken Peavey and shows the difference be tween a normal strike, an off center strike, and a misaligned die strike.

Below are user submissions of off center strikes.

Below are user submissions of misaligned die strikes. You will notice that most of these are very minor.

Even more rare are coins that are struck multiple times with at least one of the strikes off center. Below is a nice double struck coin with the second strike about 90% off center. Values for these can be very high.

Bezel Coins

I was recently contacted by a fellow group member on the Coin Opp Facebook group about an interesting coin. It appeared thicker than normal with an extra rim, or at least it appeared so. I have actually been contacted about this type of coin before and I knew exactly what it was. This was a coin that was in a jewelry bezel. To the untrained eye, it may appear as though the coin and bezel are one in the same, but this just isn't true. Usually the bezels are made of the same alloy as the coin or similar alloy so the color is a match. Sometimes the coin/bezel combo is plated so that it looks to be one piece, but I can assure you that these were never produced this way from the mint, nor is it an error. See visual below. If anyone has any other pictures they would like to share of coins in bezels, or even coins that were in bezels but have since been removed, with signs of damage left behind, please contact me and I will add them to this post.

The Famous Spitting Eagle : Die crack or die clash?

I'm sure many of you have heard about the "Spitting Eagle", the famous 1983 P Washington Quarter with what looks like a spitting eagle on the reverse. Many people search for this coin. Many people have found one. These are fairly common, and in average circulated condition, command a small premium. I have seen high grades sell for decent money though. There is, however, some question about what it's cause is. A simple Google search will show you many pictures as well as articles about the subject. You will see headlines like NGC Recognizes 1983 P Spitting Eagle Quarters. You can also read these articles which call this a variety and explain that it is a die crack. Here is where I disagree. With special thanks to Maya Rivera who provided photos of a 1970 D, and Pete Apple who did the overlay, I will show you that the Spitting Eagle is in fact due to a die clash, which also means that it is an error, not a variety. This also means that it can occur on any Washington Quarter minted from 1932 through 1998, from any mint, including proofs but excluding the Bi-Centennial quarters minted in 1975 and 1976. This is the definition of a die clash according to error-ref.com.

This mishap occurs when opposing dies collide with each other when a planchet fails to be fed into the striking chamber.  Most complete planchet misfeeds don’t result in clashed dies because dies normally don’t touch each other in the absence of a planchet.  The dies operate with a safety margin that can be referred to as minimum die clearance or minimum die distance.  These terms refer to the closest approach the dies make to each other in the absence of a planchet.  In order for dies to clash, the dies must have fallen out of adjustment so that their minimum clearance is zero (or less than zero).


Below, I have created a visual with an overlay to show you why this is a die clash, and not a die crack. Honestly, that makes it even more collectible in my opinion, but I wish companies like NGC, or Cherrypicker's guide would also recognize that this error is not limited to just one year. Click on the picture to enlarge.

CRH Discoveries!

If you hunt for errors and varieties long enough, you will undoubtedly come across things that no one else has found before. These are called discovery pieces. Now, these won't make you rich, but it sure is nice to have your name listed on a few websites for finding things that you can lay claim to as being the FIRST one to find it. Below are the discoveries I have made and been credited for so far. Enjoy!


Doubled dies.

Cuds, spikeheads, die breaks, etc....

Rings on coins and moved letters and numbers. What is it? How does it happen?

If you are a coin roll hunter, or just like to check through your pocket change, there is no doubt that you will come across many anomalies. From varieties like doubled dies and RPMs, to errors like CUDS and die cracks. You will also find many things that have no explanation at all, other than damage of some sort. Most times, damage can not be fully explained since there are literally endless ways for a coin to become damaged. There are however, a few types of damage that can be explained. This post is highlighting one of those ways that is many times mistaken as an error. I'm talking about coin rolling machine crimper damage. The machines that are used to put the coins into rolls automatically also crimp the ends closed. These would be the rolls that you get from the bank in 3rd party company rolls like Brinks, Loomis, or NF String and Sons. These are circulated coins that have been rolled by these companies and sent back to the banks.

This type of damage takes many forms and I will be adding pictures of each form to this article as I get them sent to me. In most cases, you will simply see a thin scratch around the outside of the coin near the edge in a circular pattern. Other times some letters or numbers will be flattened. In some other cases a digit will actually be moved, but still be attached. This is the type that usually baffles people.

The reason that this type of damage takes many forms is really quite simple. First of all, there are many different types of rolling machines. From the small machines you can purchase and use at home, to large industrial types used by the larger rolling companies. There are also other factors such as machine settings, coin thickness, etc...

In some case you will simply have a circular scratch around the coin. In other cased, the letters or numbers will actually be moved. This is just a form of damage.