Expert: PAPAJACK - 12/7/2008

Question
recently purchased 50 rolls at three different banks here in Hawaii. These coins are uncirculated. Out of these coins i found 2 that were similar in a mint error below in god we trust.The right side of the coin appears to be lacking in a proper pressing and the letters and mint mark either are "smeared" out or non existent. All rolls were from the Denver mint.Purchasing large amounts of BU COINS is a standard practice and have never come across this issue. Thanking you in advance..scott

Answer
Hello Scott,                                 

This is not Mr. Moore, I was referred your question by all experts.com team.

Missing letters and weak strikes are usually caused by a filled die error.

This occurs when grease and/or debris get stuck in the small recesses of the dies that produce the coins design.  When the dies close on the coin blank the portion of the die filled with this grease or debris won’t let the metal flow into it.

The mint mark letters and digits in the date are so small and not deeply recessed into the die that they easily become filled and therefore do not strike properly.
Sometimes more than one digit are missing from the date or lettering.
They would have no premium value to collectors since they are not fully struck! Someone may pay for it as a novelty but it would be less than a dollar on the modern copper/nickel coins.

The defect although very common rarely repeats the misprint in exactly the same way on the next coin struck with the same die set. It is a random occurrence and happens in every mint coin run. The coins are not considered more valuable than any other since it is a random defect.

The price you may get for them over the face value depends on what an error collector may pay for the particular coin. It usually has very little added value Less than a dollar and only an interested Error-collector would seek it out.

Good Question!

If you still want a dealer to look at the piece for you I can direct you to a trustworthy coin person in your area. Without seeing the coin it is only a guess as to how it was made.

If you write back with
1) The general location (nearest large cities) and,
2) Some postal zip codes in the area of the coin.

Use the private question option by checking the box on the question page. I can direct you to an AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION MEMBER/DEALER near there. They are ethical and trustworthy.

I hope this information helps.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack