Expert: Dan Moore - 8/23/2007

Question
I found a 1957 Denver mint wheat penny today that seems to be missing the first letter S in "states" on the back. It doesn't seem to have been removed by any method I can tell and simply reads "UNITED  TATES OF AMERICA" on the back (there is an extra space between united and tates since the S is gone). Was there a misprint on that year of penny or did someone do a REALLY good job removing this letter to make people think they found a rare coin? *IF* it is a misprint, about how much do you think it would be worth? The outer lip on the coin shows some wear and it a lighter color than the rest (was definitely kept in a pocket with other change, maybe slid across a table, or something like that). It's good condition, but not GREAT - then again, it's not bad. Sorry, I don't know how to better describe it than that. It's not DIScolored, the color just seems to have faded.

Answer
Hi Zac,

Usually missing letters like this are caused by a foreign substance (like machine grease) that got into the stamping die and prevented the complete flow of metal from the coin blank into the coin die.  So some part of the die did not get stamped onto the coin.  Usually this is letters, numbers, or other fine details.

This type of stamping error is relatively common, has low collector interest, and is therefore not worth much -- less than a dollar.

I hope this helps,

Dan