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Coin rim errors are design mistakes that affect the outer edges of a coin. These mistakes happen during the minting process.
These coin rim anomalies aren’t the same as damage caused by wear or mishandling. Recognizing them requires careful observation, as many damaged coins don’t qualify as coins with an erroneous rim.
The common types of coin rim errors are Broadstrike errors, Off-center errors, Die cuds, Partial collars, Finned rims, Double rims and misaligned dies, Rim burrs, Rim clips and Crenelated rims.
I cover them all right below.
- What is a Broadstrike Coin Rim Error?
- What’s an Off-Center Coin Rim Error?
- What is a Die Cuds Coin Rim Error?
- What is a Partial Collars Coin Rim Error?
- What is Finned Rims Coin Rim Error?
- What is Double Rim and Misaligned Dies Coin Rim Error?
- What is Rim Burrs Coin Rim Error?
- What is Rim Clips Coin Rim Error?
- What is Crenelated Rim Coin Rim Error?
- Do Coin Rim Errors Increase the Value of a Coin?
- Is a Folded Rim on a Coin Mint Damage or Mint Error?
- Are Gold IRA Coins More or Less Likely to Have Coin Rim Errors? Does it Impact Their Value and IRA Eligibility?
Here’s an awesome quiz about coin rim errors. Take it after you’ve read my guide for your best results
Table of Contents
What is a Broadstrike Coin Rim Error?
A broadstrike coin rim error is when a coin is struck without a retaining collar.
The absence of retaining collar lets the planchet expand beyond its intended size. This results in a flattened appearance, often making the coin seem larger than standard variations.
In broadstrike rim errors both obverse and reverse coin designs remain intact and standard reeding or lettering on coin vanishes, presenting a smooth, unadorned edge.
Broadstrike coin rim errors can be centered or uncentered.
Centered broadstrikes occur when the planchet is perfectly centered and struck outside of the collar.
Uncentered broadstrikes happen when the planchet isn’t perfectly centered, but the entire design is still present on both faces.
What’s an Off-Center Coin Rim Error?
An off-center coin rim error is when a coin planchet is misaligned during the striking process.
This misalignment results in designs being partially struck, leading to a portion of the coin missing essential details like lettering or other elements on one or both sides.
Key characteristics of off-center coin rim mistakes are:
- the coin image or inscription being skewed from the intended position;
- coins appearing elongated or distorted due to the improper alignment when struck;
- crucial details, such as dates or specific design elements not present on the coin, neither in relief nor exergue.
What is a Die Cuds Coin Rim Error?
A die cud is a type of coin rim error that occurs when part of a die’s rim gutter breaks away during the minting process.
This break creates a raised section on the coin’s surface which follows the outline of the original rim.
This raised area sometimes obscures design details, making it a distinct feature of die cuds rim error.
Die cuds errors happen when die breaks due to production stress and friction. The die can also not break but be wearied down over time leading to errors in coin production.
Die’s surface can also be damaged leading to small parts breaking off, forming cuds when the metal fills in the gaps.
What is a Partial Collars Coin Rim Error?
A Partial Collars (also called “the Railroad Rim Effect” or “Collar Die Clash”) is a coin rim error that occurs during the minting process when the planchet is only partially held by the retaining collar.
This malfunction creates unique edge features on the coin.
Partial collars coin rim error is prominent on reeded coins. The appearance resembles railroad ties along part of the rim due to the misalignment of the planchet with the collar.
There’s also a Tilted Partial Collar where part of the coin sits within the collar, while another segment lies outside.
This leads to inconsistent reeding, with one area potentially lacking edge reeds entirely.
What is Finned Rims Coin Rim Error?
A finned rim coin error is when during the minting process a thin flange or fin starts to extend from the rim of a coin.
This error arises primarily due to excessive striking pressure or localized increases in pressure, often linked to a slight die tilt.
Such conditions force the coin’s metal into the narrow gap between the die neck and collar, creating the protruding edge.
Fins can surround the entire coin or be restricted to one area, especially around a pole. Fins may develop on any face of a coin, including both faces simultaneously.
What is Double Rim and Misaligned Dies Coin Rim Error?
Double rim errors result from weak strikes or machine doubling during the minting process. This leads to a secondary rim that appears alongside the primary rim. This error is mainly seen on nickels and pennies.
Characteristics include thin, raised edges that run parallel to the original rim, distinguishing them from broadstrike errors.
Misaligned dies occur when the obverse and reverse dies misalign, creating a coin with mismatched designs and uneven rim thickness. Signs of this error are off-center lettering, deep rims or other misaligned design elements.
Severe misalignment produces overlapping imagery, making these coins notable among coin collectors.
What is Rim Burrs Coin Rim Error?
Rim burrs are small metal protrusions or rough spots along a coin’s edge, often resulting from damaged dies during the minting process.
These irregularities give the coin rim an uneven or jagged appearance.
Rim burrs errors are tricky as they don’t indicate the coin’s overall value, unlike other types of coin rim errors.
Coins with rim burrs are often indistinguishable from coins with damage from wear or mishandling.
What is Rim Clips Coin Rim Error?
Rim clips is a coin rim error when coin blanks aren’t cut properly during the minting process, leading to missing sections of the rim.
These clips appear as straight or crescent-shaped notches along the outer edge.
Rim clips are often minor imperfections noticeable only as slight indents.
The coin remains round, with its diameter unchanged. Rim clips emerge during the blanking phase when metal sheets aren’t advanced correctly, causing overlapping punches.
What is Crenelated Rim Coin Rim Error?
A crenelated rim coin error is a minting defect where the coin’s edge has a series of raised, vertical prongs resembling a picket fence or battlements.
These extensions are caused by the reeding being prolonged during the striking process, pushing the metal upward and outward from the coin’s edge.
Do Coin Rim Errors Increase the Value of a Coin?
Yes, certain rim errors significantly increase the value of a coin, particularly if the error is rare and makes the coin visually striking.
Coin collectors actively search for coins with off-center strikes, die cracks, and finned rims as these mint mistakes make these coins distinguished and unique.
Gold coins with rim errors are particularly valuable because gold coins are already produced in smaller quantities than their silver or base metal counterparts.
And a distinctive error to an already limited mintage coin makes a certain specimen unique and perhaps even one-of-a-kind coin in the world.
Is a Folded Rim on a Coin Mint Damage or Mint Error?
Yes, a folded rim on a coin is typically considered damage, not a mint error, and often detracts from the coin’s value instead of increasing it.
While some coin rim errors occur during the minting process, a folded rim usually indicates damage that happened after the coin was struck, potentially from being bent or damaged during circulation or handling.
How to Distinguish Between Coin Rim Errors and Coin Damage?
To distinguish between coin rim errors and coin damage pay attention to little details on the coin you’re inspecting.
Mint errors tend to show consistent wear on both sides of the coin.
And coin damage produces an uneven coin, for example one where the one side of the rim is folded and the other isn’t.
Also, if the fold is near the edge of the coin and doesn’t affect the design, it’s more likely damage.
What are Some Penny Rim Errors?
Common penny errors involving the rim include:
- Broadstrikes (coins struck with a collar, leading to a larger diameter);
- Clipped Planchets (coins with a crescent-shaped piece missing from the edge);
- Crenelated Rims (reeding extending out from the coin’s edge);
- Double Rims (two concentric rim lines);
- Finned Rims (thin, fin-like metal protrusions);
- Rim Burrs (jagged, irregular rim edges from damaged dies), and errors caused by misaligned dies that push metal over the rim.
Here are some examples of penny rim errors:
Are Gold IRA Coins More or Less Likely to Have Coin Rim Errors? Does it Impact Their Value and IRA Eligibility?
Gold IRA coins are less likely to have coin rim errors compared to regular coins.
Coin rim errors can impact a gold-IRA approved coin’s market value, but don’t affect its IRA eligibility.
Gold IRA coins are less likely to be damaged in any way because they’re typically of high quality and are carefully inspected to ensure they meet specific standards, including those related to purity and appearance.
Opening a gold IRA account can’t get any easier if you go a with a legit USA-based gold IRA company. I recommend this gold investment company for the task.
They’ll even waive all gold IRA fees for 10 years if you become their customer.
What is a Rimless Design Coin?
A rimless design coin is a coin that intentionally lacks a raised rim or edge. In rimless coins design extends to the very edge, creating a sleek, continuous look.
Rimless coins are often made for aesthetic reasons, showcasing the design details more prominently, rather than for practical purposes like stacking.
Rimless Design Coin Examples
There are hundreds of rimless coin examples I can give you here.
However, for practical purposes I picked only four rimless coins to showcase below.
Biblical Series
Produced by the Scottsdale Mint these 2-ounce silver coins have a two-dollar face value in Niue. The series has limited mintage, has released 6 coins per year since 2016 and 2024 is predicted to be the final year of the Biblical Series coins.
Germania Mint
The Germania Mint is located in Poland and produces rimless rounds and coins.
Germania Mint produce a wide variety of commemorative items without rims, such as the Warrior and the Valkyries series. The Valkyries series is one of their newest additions.
It’s a series that pays tribute to female Germanic warriors from folk legends. These rimless coins come in colorized, silver and antique finish coins.
Coin Rim Errors- What are They and How Many are There? (Conclusion)
Coin rim errors are issues that affect the outer edges of a coin and that arise during the minting process.
These anomalies differ from coin damage caused by wear or mishandling and recognizing them requires careful observation, as many damaged coins don’t qualify as coins with an erroneous rim.
Note: visit our online jewelry store and see which gold coins replicas we sell. They’re not real gold coins, but they’re excellent nonetheless.
References:
- What Are Coin Rim Errors? How Much Are Rim Errors On Coins Worth?- https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/coin-rim-errors/
- Mint-made errors chart- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mint-made_errors
- What Are Coin Rim Errors?- https://learn.apmex.com/answers/what-are-coin-rim-errors/
- Gold Coins with Errors: How Misprints Make Them More Valuable (Charts)- https://alromaizan.com/blog/gold-coins-with-errors-how-misprints-make-them-more-valuable-LWYdu
- Found a broad strike error! First one for me. Can’t tell if it’s missing some of the clad layer on the back or just damaged, I’m assuming damaged.- https://www.reddit.com/r/coincollecting/comments/1gw7nbj/found_a_broad_strike_error_first_one_for_me_cant/
- I think my coin’s slightly off center. Also what’s the bump on the edge and (although I don’t plan to sell it) would it be worth anything? https://www.reddit.com/r/coins/comments/16n57zt/i_think_my_coins_slightly_off_center_also_whats/
- Cud/die break error, or just damaged?- https://www.reddit.com/r/coins/comments/15hg1og/cuddie_break_error_or_just_damaged/
- Partial Collar- https://www.reddit.com/r/coinerrors/comments/1ig0pbx/partial_collar/
- Found this in my change, would this be considered an error?- https://www.reddit.com/r/coins/comments/uin5fu/found_this_in_my_change_would_this_be_considered/
- Is this a rim fin error? And if so is it worth anything?- https://www.reddit.com/r/coins/comments/lbtg44/is_this_a_rim_fin_error_and_if_so_is_it_worth/
- Are these 1972 double rim coins valuable? Prices seem widely variable. https://www.reddit.com/r/coinerrors/comments/1iuw45v/are_these_1972_double_rim_coins_valuable_prices/
- How much do you think this coin is worth? Mint error reverse time burr https://www.reddit.com/r/coins/comments/102jxyu/how_much_do_you_think_this_coin_is_worth_mint/
- 1942 rim clip error penny- https://www.reddit.com/r/coins/comments/1ejd889/1942_rim_clip_error_penny/
- Crenellated Rim
Part VIII. Post-Strike Striking Chamber Mishaps:
Ejection Damage:
Crenellated rim- https://www.error-ref.com/crenellated-rim/ - What is a Rimless Design Coin? https://learn.apmex.com/learning-guide/coin-collecting/what-is-a-rimless-design-coin/
- Top Penny Errors- https://www.boldpreciousmetals.com/blogs/penny-errors-to-look-for
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.
