PART VI. Striking Errors:

Struck Through Foreign Objects:

Struck Through Dropped Filling:

Isolated Element (number, letter, etc.)

Definition: This error type occurs when compacted die fill (“grease”) falls out of a recess in the die face and onto a planchet.  The plug of hardened material is then struck into the planchet, leaving an incuse impression of whatever design element the plug had molded itself to.  Letters (“dropped letters”) and numbers (“dropped numbers”) are the most common elements duplicated in this fashion.  If the plug remains next to the same die it fell out of, and if it doesn’t flip over, the dropped letter/number is oriented the same way as its normal raised counterpart.  If, however, the filling falls against the opposite die or flips over, the impression is mirror-image.  Most dropped fillings are normally-oriented.

This 1965(P) Lincoln cent shows a dropped letter A near the right base of the Memorial (black arrow). This dropped filling is from one of the three As found on the reverse die.

A more unusual dropped filling is found on this 2006(P) Lincoln cent. One of the urns on either side of the steps of the Memorial filled up with hardened “grease” and then dropped out. It landed on the stairs upside down and was struck into the planchet (black arrow). This dropped filling was verified by the use of overlays.