Expert: Ronald Fern - 3/15/2010

Question
QUESTION: Dear Ron
I was looking for a close explanation of how this error ocurred ? It's pretty neat...never have I saw one struck this many times. looks to be an s mint mark between 9 and 5. many oddities to this one. Do these types hold any value ??..would it be worth to send to a Grading company ?PCGS or whoever? Thank you kindly for your time. Best Regards ...Patrick

ANSWER: Hi Patrick:

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to answer your question.

When asking a question, especially with errors, always provide as much information about your piece as possible. This helps to pinpoint what you may have. Attaching a photos of both sides would also be very helpful. I'll answer your question as best I can, If you want to ask a follow up question by providing more information, or a photo of the obverse of your coin, I'll revise my answer or add to it.

From your description, and the photo you provided, you appear to have a double struck cent with the primary strike off center, and the final strike on center. In this case, it is a one of a kind error, happening during the striking of the blank. With the double strike, the coin was first struck off center, not fitting into the die chamber properly, and did not eject fully, and was struck again.

As far as value, it would depend on the date, mint mark, condition of the coin and the amount of the error that was double struck. Circulated  wheat cent double strikes trade for about $50 to $150, and Uncirculated wheat cent double strikes from $150 to $350.

Check ebay listing under US coins in the error category to see if coins like yours are listed. You may also want to check out these links on error coin values:
http://www.coinsite.com/html/USErrorPrices.asp
http://www.minterrornews.com/priceguide.html

Your coin would likely bring more if it were authenticated and graded by a third party service, like PCGS, NGC or SEGS. If you live close to a local shop, they should offer an opinion as to it's value and if it is authentic at no charge.

Remember, should you choose to sell your coin, get at least two estimates from professional coin dealers (PNG). I've listed a link for you to find them in your area.
Link: http://www.pngdealers.com/dealersearch.php

Dealers normally pay between 50% to 60% of retail for items they want.

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: Thank you Ron,
Ok a bit more info...I found this coin with other errors in a bag of Wheats that I just bought at an auction. payed under $ 20 for all the coins. This is a 1955 wheat cent that has been widened out from side to side.On Obverse side as I'll show in the next pic uploaded, it has Liberty struck more than 8-10 times at best above normal position and below normal position.( all raised details ) Motto , Lincolns Head ,is doubled & tripled from being rotated or shifted. It appears to have rotated from a single point..more error to the left side on Obverse than right side. Appears to have some raised features resembling letters above the date?? more noticable in diff angles. Also appears to have a S mint mark between the 9 & 5 .remnants of other 5's visable. You can see collar marks or rim marks across coin. Liberty also covers over portions of Lincolns back.You really see different features with turning coin and light variations from getting close-ups. I would send super detailed close ups but, I think only one picture available to upload through this message at one time. I do NOT  try cleaning any coins or do anything to them..I take the pics in as found condition. As all should be. This coin has some fine black flake that looks to have covered the shiny portion on obverse and has worn off from being in the bag.Have not done anything to it. Thank you kindly for your time. best Regards ...Patrick

Answer
Hi Patrick:

Thanks for more information and the obverse photo. While your picture is a bit fuzzy, it does look like a definite multiple struck coin. It doesn't look out of round, which means the piece was struck multiple times within the die chamber and rotated between strikes.

Your coin needs to be looked at by a professional dealer who knows errors. It also should be authenticated and put in a hard holder as identified by the PCGS, NGC or SEGS systems. Choose PNG dealers, as I suggested in my initial reply. I'd recommend Fred Weinberg, a personal friend, who is experienced in errors. Here's his link:http://www.errorcoinage.com/aboutus.html

This coin, while circulated, could bring several hundreds of dollars, if authentic. I just can't tell without seeing the coin and weighing it, etc., but it looks okay to me from the pictures.

Let me know what you find out. 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 again, and continued Good Luck in your collecting.