Coin question

Richard · Feb 18, 2005

I'm not a collector of coins per se', but I've got a handful of coins I've obtained from my now gone grandparents (keep for sentimental reasons)

But, more interesting to ME, I was handed back a penny once. Probably back in 1990 or so.

The penny is roughly a 1/2 copper blank and a 1/2 penny where the slug was mis-stamped when it was struck.

The date IS clearly legible on the penny, though I don't recall what the date is.

Anyways, where/how might someone go about describing the mis struck part of this on ebay? I decided I might try to put it there & see if a penny collector cares about it more than I do.

I don't know any of the terminology one might use. Maybe if anyone cares, I'll try to take a pic when I get home tonight & post it.

Richard

DaveNay · Feb 18, 2005

( ...try to take a pic when I get home tonight & post it.)

I think you may have answered your own question here. Pay for the picture option on eBay.

Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Dave

PineRidge · Feb 18, 2005

Maybe this will give you some idea of a game plan mis-struck coin

MadReferee · Feb 18, 2005

I am a hobbyist coin collector (large and small cents, all flavors of nickels and dimes). Depending on the type of mint error, the coin could be worth anywhere from a penny to several dollars (some up to $50 or so). According to the Official Price Guide to Mint Errors by Alan Herbert, there are 193 classes of striking varieties. Without a picture and up close and personal examination it would be difficult to determine a value.

For your information, throughout the 1990's an average of 5 billion (yes 5 billion, a 5 then 9 zeros) pennies were struck at each mint (Philadelphia and Denver). Finding a mis-strike is not uncommon.

DaMadman · Feb 18, 2005

( I am a hobbyist coin collector (large and small cents, all flavors of nickels and dimes). Depending on the type of mint error, the coin could be worth anywhere from a penny to several dollars (some up to $50 or so). )

Unless it is a 1955 double die, then it is worth several 100 dollars.

If it were me that had the mistruck penny I would take it to a coin dealer and tell them you are interested in an appraisal only. Tell them you want to keep the coin for sentimental reasons but would like to know what it is worth.

MadReferee · Feb 18, 2005

( The penny is roughly a 1/2 copper blank and a 1/2 penny where the slug was mis-stamped when it was struck.)

Based on this description alone it looks like you have a Class III-M-8 Struck Off-Center 31 to 70 percent variety. This is defined as:

A coin which was struck above or out of the collar and only partly between the dies, showing on the struck coin as a partial strike, with an unstruck area amounting to 31 to 70 percent of the planchet area. 

This class is the most popular found. It has a rarity level of 4-6 which means anywhere from 10,000 to 10 have been known to exist for a given coin denomination. Date and mint mark typically have no effect on value. Average value is around $5 depending on condition.

This information was gleaned from the Official Price Guide to Mint Errors, Sixth Edition, by Alan Herbert.

Richard · Feb 19, 2005

Sry late in getting back...

Here are some pics of the coin

Richard · Feb 19, 2005

MadReferee · Feb 19, 2005

Your pics confirm my assumption in my last post. It looks like you have a Class III-M-8 Struck Off-Center 31 to 70 percent variety.

Hang on to it. You have a nice conversation piece. In 50 years it might be worth $10 instead of the $5 today.

Richard · Feb 19, 2005

( Hang on to it. You have a nice conversation piece. In 50 years it might be worth $10 instead of the $5 today )

Crap!

I guess I'd better call work ASAP and tell them I was joking huh?

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Thanks for the info. Given it cost me .01, if it's worth .35, I guess I've done ok lol