Most of the time, a mistake makes something less valuable. Coins are a little different. A mistake made at the mint can turn an otherwise ordinary coin into something collectors are willing to pay serious money to own.
Mint errors happen for all sorts of reasons. A coin might be struck with the wrong die, placed on the wrong type of blank, missing part of its lettering, or released with another production error. Most of these mistakes are caught before coins leave the mint, which is why the ones that make it into circulation can be so interesting to collectors.
Some are worth a few hundred dollars, while the rarest examples have sold for far more. Here are eight mint error coins that became famous because something went wrong.
2004 Wisconsin Extra Leaf Quarter
The 2004 Wisconsin state quarter looks like an ordinary quarter at first. Look closely at the corn on the reverse, though, and some examples have an extra leaf.
Collectors have identified two versions, known as the “High Leaf” and “Low Leaf” varieties. Both are sought after, and examples in good condition can be worth much more than their 25-cent face value.
Related: 17 Rare Quarters Worth Some Serious Money
2007 George Washington “Godless” Dollar
The Presidential Dollar series included edge lettering with details such as the year, mint mark, and the motto “In God We Trust.” Some 2007 George Washington dollars left the Mint without the expected edge lettering.
Collectors quickly gave these coins the nickname “Godless Dollars.” They’re still one of the better-known modern mint errors, and examples can sell for much more than their original one-dollar value.
Related: 10 Rare Half Dollar Coins That Can Be Worth Hundreds—or Even Thousands
1943 Copper Lincoln Cent
In 1943, the U.S. Mint switched from copper to zinc-coated steel for Lincoln cents because copper was needed for the war effort. A small number of copper planchets were apparently used by mistake.
That created the famous 1943 copper cent. Only a small number are known, making them among the most valuable Lincoln cents collectors can find. If you happen to come across one, authentication is a must since many counterfeit examples exist.
2000 Sacagawea Dollar–Washington Quarter Mule
This is the kind of mint error that makes collectors do a double take. A small number of coins were struck with the obverse of a Washington quarter and the reverse of a Sacagawea dollar.
The mismatched dies created what collectors call a “mule.” Only a limited number of these coins are known, and their unusual combination has made them some of the most sought-after modern U.S. mint errors.
1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent
The 1955 doubled die penny is one of the most famous error coins in American collecting. The doubling is easy to spot on the date and parts of the lettering, especially without magnification.
Thousands of these pennies made it into circulation before the error was widely recognized. Today, collectors look for examples with clear doubling and good overall condition.
1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime
The 1982 Roosevelt dime is another coin where a small detail can make a big difference. Some Philadelphia-minted dimes from that year were released without the expected “P” mint mark.
That missing mark turned an otherwise ordinary dime into a collectible variety. The coins continue to attract collectors who enjoy searching through older change for unusual pieces.
1972 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent
The 1972 doubled die Lincoln cent has obvious doubling on parts of the date and lettering. It’s a little easier to find than the famous 1955 doubled die, but that doesn’t make it an ordinary penny.
Collectors still look for strong examples, especially coins with clear doubling and little wear. Finding one in an old jar of pennies can be a fun surprise.
1999 Wide AM Lincoln Cent
The 1999 Wide AM cent is a good example of how a tiny detail can make a coin worth checking. On the regular version, the “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” are close together. On the Wide AM variety, there’s a noticeable gap between the letters.
The difference is easy to miss if you aren’t looking for it. That’s part of the fun for collectors who search rolls of pennies or old change jars. A coin that looks completely ordinary at first could turn out to be a collectible variety.
