Collecting 2019 Penny Errors
The subject of error coinage is a vast one. To learn more about the different types of errors, you should visit a reliable reference guide or educational website. A reliable reference guide is Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties, written by Bill Fivaz and J.T. Stanton, and published by Whitman Publishing. For more information on errors, check out the Combined Organization of Numismatic Error Collectors of America (CONECA).
When purchasing your coins, pay close attention to the variety. A 1922-D “no D” is an example of an error that happened with a filled die. Look for this type of error on any coin. Also, keep an eye out for unusual coins. If you find one that looks off, you should investigate it further. There are many varieties of pennies. You can also refer to Lincoln cent reference books to determine the varieties.
When collecting pennies, you must remember that copper content is not the only factor to look for. A mistake is not always a problem if it is related to post-mint damage. You should try saving an odd penny and determining whether it is an error. If it looks odd, it might be a problem with the mint. If not, it may be a post-mint damage. But, remember that pennies are a great investment!
There are several common types of errors with pennies. There are off-center coins, broadstrikes, clipped planchets, double-dimes, repunched mint marks, and die breaks. These errors are caused by different factors during the coin-making process. Broadstrikes occur when the coin struck without the retaining collar, which helps keep the coin round. This error can also result in designs or lettering being added to the coin’s edge.
The most common type of error coin is clipped planchets. The reason for this is that steel rods accidentally overlap the metal strips that make the coin. These metal strips can be straight, curved, elliptical, or jagged. Coins with multiple clips increase in value. The following examples of error coins have been published. They have been listed for your convenience. Just be aware that these errors are valuable! You can collect them if you are willing to invest in them.
Two-headed pennies are also rare. These are not real errors. They are novelty coins. The two-headed one is a popular collector’s item and can sell for anywhere from $1 to $5. Floating pennies have not been a common issue for many years, but they can sell for as much as $5. However, two-headed pennies are not legitimate errors. However, they are a novelty piece. These pennies do not look like the one pictured on the obverse, so they cannot be used for monetary transactions.
Another type of error pennies is the “BIE” error. This occurs when the die is broken between the B and the E in “LIBERTY.” A typical BIE pennant is worth between $5 and $10. Before the 1990s, mintmarks were handpunched onto each die. This caused errors in the mintmarks as they could be stamped in the wrong spot. Mint employees could repunch the wrong die to fix the mistake.
The W penny, a special year with the W mint mark on the coin, was also produced in 2019. The W proof penny was released in three different sets in 2019: the proof, the uncirculated, and the silver proof. As a result, 2019 W pennies are worth a fraction of their face value and are only sold for a premium if they are in uncirculated condition. If you are looking for a rare coin, consider the W proof Lincoln penny.
