Part IX. Post-Strike Mint Damage:
Illicitly applied die impressions
Definition: Planchets and coins that have a new design impressed into them inside the Mint but without the use of a coining press. These illicit impressions have one or more of the following characteristics.
1) Frequent use of proof dies, normal and impaired.
2) Frequent use of proof planchets, normal and impaired.
3) Presence of odd patterns and textures.
4) One or both designs strongly misaligned (horizontally, vertically, or rotationally).
5) Design impressions often weak.
6) Multiple, overlapping impressions common.
7) Nonsense die sometimes used on one face.
8) Counterfeit die sometimes used on one face or superimposed over the original illicit die impression.
9) Oversized coins and planchets sometimes used to host the illicit impression.
10) Wrong planchet or different denomination sometimes used to host the illicit impression.
11) Heavy damage to the planchet or coin prior to, coincident with, or following upon, the illicit die impression.
12) Dies often heavily damaged or vandalized.
13) Opposing designs applied sequentially, rather than simultaneously.
14) Creation of false brockages before, during, or after application of the genuine die.
15) Raised image confined to one face.
16) Strange forms of doubling, often of an extreme nature.
This nickel planchet received two sequential impressions from either the same obverse die or two different 5-cent obverse dies. Both designs are weakly impressed and off-center toward the left. One face is rotated 90 degrees relative to the other. Both dies were also tilted. One obverse design shows strong doubling while the other is grossly smeared. During each impression, the opposite face rested against a textured surface. One or both designs seem to have been damaged after the final impression was generated.
Depending on their provenance, how convincing they look, how much damage is present, and whether proof dies and planchets were involved, these creations can fetch prices ranging from a few tens of dollars to over $10,000.
The status of such coins as “errors” is highly controversial. Though created inside the Mint by personnel employing genuine dies, the use of techniques other than a coining press make them more like fantasy pieces.