Errors & Varieties: An Introduction

Identifying numismatic errors and die varieties involves an understanding of the overall minting process. As dies went from being individually handmade to being fully hubbed in automation, so, too, have the definitions of these specialized fields of numismatics transitioned. Additionally, what constitutes how the terms “errors” and “varieties” are defined is derived from not only the intent of their design but also pragmatic and economic factors as well. This inaugural article of the Errors & Varieties column highlights the distinctions between these two niches of the numismatic hobby and how they have evolved throughout the history of American coinage.

Errors and die varieties have existed since the earliest days of the United States Mint. Simply put, an error cannot be repeated exactly, making each one unique; die varieties tend to have multiple identical duplications.

Broadly speaking, two kinds of non-repeating errors may exist: planchet errors and striking errors. If the planchet is improperly produced or prepared (e.g., alloyed, rolled, punched, shaped, etc.) prior to striking, it is an error – more specifically, a planchet error. If the planchet is improperly struck (or is the wrong metal or of the wrong series), it is a striking error. One of the earliest examples of a striking error is this 1796 Draped Bust Cent (attributed as Sheldon-97).

Struck approximately 40% off-center to the northeast, the existence of this dramatic error is even more remarkable considering it was struck in a hand-powered screw press, a relatively controlled and monitored environment.

Die varieties, on the other hand, can repeat exactly and can be further categorized as either a die-design variety or a die-design-error variety. The 1793 Chain Cent, the first mass-produced circulating issue created by the United States Mint, features multiple die-design varieties.

Each of the four obverse dies and two reverse dies were entirely hand engraved and hand punched. Each profile, strand of hair, chain link, letter, numeral, etc., was entered by hand, resulting in uniquely placed features in distinct alignments and spacings. More curious is the abbreviated spelling of “America” as “AMERI.” on one of the reverse dies, as well as the periods following the “3” and “LIBERTY” on one of the obverse dies. These six dies combined for five distinct die pairs of the Chain Cent, all of which are among the most coveted in American numismatics.

The 1796/5 Draped Bust Half Dime and 1796/5 Draped Bust Small Eagle Reverse Half Eagle overdates are also early U.S. Mint examples of die-design varieties. Although the “6” over the “5” appears to be an error in design, we must take into account the circumstances under which these obverse dies were made.

Because the manufacture, engraving, and punching of dies was a time-consuming and expensive process in the early years of the United States Mint, they were considered for usage in future years if they were still serviceable by the end of their intended initial striking period. A 1795 obverse die for both the half dime and half eagle were apparently still serviceable, so each die was repunched with a “6” over the “5” and put into service to produce coins dated 1796. Once the date began to be applied to the master die starting in 1909 (eliminating repunched dates), overdates such as the 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel, 1918/7-S Standing Liberty Quarter, and 1942/1-P and 1942/1-D Mercury Dimes would be considered die-design-error varieties, the results of which were not for economy but simply human error.

However, the 1796 Draped Bust “LIHERTY” Cent is a die-design-error variety. While creating this obverse die, the engraver appears to have initially punched the “B” in “LIBERTY” backwards. The mistake was repunched with a correctly-oriented “B,” resulting in a “B” showing extra serifs at the top and bottom right curves. This obverse was used with two different reverse dies to create two die pairs, Sheldon-103 and Sheldon-104, thus creating the curious-looking and popular variety we now call the “LIHERTY” Cent.

Collecting errors and die varieties is an endeavor that requires knowledge of the planchet, die, and coin-making processes in order to properly identify and appreciate them. Ultimately, close examination of a specimen and investigation of how it was created is the objective – and the fun! In future columns, we will delve further into this fascinating aspect of numismatic collecting.