Category: Errors

What is a Die Fill Error coin?

If you see a coin that is missing part of the design, it can be caused by three different things:
1 – Wear and tear through circulation
2 – Deliberate defacing of the coin (eg. sanded off)
3 – Errors during the mintage process (increases value of the coin)

Die Fill Errors occur during the minting process when part of a coin’s design is obscured by grease or other foreign matter on the die’s surface. The rest of the coin strikes up, but a selected section does not.

If you think you have an error coin, jump on a coin forum and post high resolution photos of the front, back, and side of the coin for feedback.  If it looks genuine, take it in to your local coin dealer to have someone check it out in person.

Not sure if you have found a 2000 $1 Mule coin?

These coins were struck with the reverse of a $1 coin but the obverse of a 10 cent piece.

Easy to identify because the dies of a 10 cent coin are slightly smaller than the collar of a $1 coin. When the coin is pressed, the gap between the collar and the die creates an outer rim. These appear as a pair of concentric circles about the rim on the obverse.

Don’t confuse this double rim with a similar effect that is caused by a minor misstrike in which the coin was struck slightly off-center. The double rim caused by a minor misstrike only circumscribes a portion of the coin, meaning the double rim effect might appear around the left-hand side of the coin but not around the right, or vice versa. On a mule dollar, the double-rim effect traces the entire circumference of the coin.

Not sure if you have found a 2000 Millennium 50 Cent incused coin?

Look at the Union Jack on the flag.  Part is recessed, which can be seen looking closely, or can be felt by running your finger nail over it.