Expert: Ronald Fern - 11/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have a 1980 dime that would not go through the coin counter and when i looked at it, it was over stamped.  It has not touched by any other hands since i got it out of a US Treasury bag.  Part of the heads side is messed up.  The W in we trust is messed up, the ridge on the side of the dime some is on the top.  On the tails side the words "one dime" is all the way to the edge of the dime and there is no ridge on it.  I have pictures that i took that show the flaws.

ANSWER: Hi Mike:

I'm not quite sure what the error actually is on your coin. I'm going to try and answer, but if you could attach photos to a follow up question, I can modify or improve the answer to your question. From your description, you either have an off center struck dime, where only part of the image is on the planchet, or a double strike dime, where the planchet has been struck by two die sets. The strikes can be both on center, both off center, or a combination of the two.

The off center strike has an approximate value of between $5 and $15 depending on the condition, amount off center, and if it is dated or not. The double strike dime would be worth between approximately $20 to $65 with consideration to the type of strikes as well as amount off center, and of course, dated or undated, as well as condition.

I'm going to list a couple of links for you to review. Two on error types and values, the other on a national error club you may be interested in.

http://www.coinsite.com/html/userrorprices.asp

http://www.errorsoncoins.com/

http://www.conecaonline.org/

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Ronald,
i have attached a copy of the front and the back of the dime.  I have had it since 1980 when i opened a coin bag in Vicenza, Italy.  Thank you for all of your assistance.  Your reply was really quick.  THanks again

Answer
Hello Again Mike:

Thanks for the photo! That cinches it...you have what is called an off center strike with a partial collar. The error is a result of the retaining collar failing to function properly, and when the blank entered the die chamber, it didn't go in all the way, resulting in a slight off center strike. The retaining collar puts the reeding on the dimes, quarters, and halves, and is considered a third die. Your piece should be missing all, or most all the edge reeding.

The amount off center makes this error in the range of $5 to $10 to an interested error collector.

I'd appreciate it if you remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and continued Good Luck in your collecting.