Mint Error Coin Chronicles: Off-center Strikes

Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) is the world’s leading authority on mint errors, a popular segment of numismatics. In Mint Error Coin Chronicles, we take an in-depth look at a specific kind of mint error. This month’s topic is Off-center Strikes.

Ordinarily at a mint, a blank planchet is seated correctly in the collar when the dies strike it to create a coin. However, if the planchet is not restricted by the collar and part of it falls outside the upper and lower dies, then an Off-center Strike occurs. An example is this 1974-D Eisenhower Dollar graded NGC Mint Error MS 66, which was struck 10% off center. (It is part of a Heritage Auctions sale in June 2024.)

Click images to enlarge.

The initial round shape of the planchet can become substantially elongated during an Off-center Strike. Such is the case with this Great Britain 6 Pence graded NGC Mint Error MS 63, which was struck 60% off center. (This coin is also part of a Heritage sale in June 2024.)

Click images to enlarge.

Off-center Strikes may be paired with other mint errors, often including one involving a multiple strike. This Great Britain Half Penny graded NGC Mint Error MS 65 RB was double struck, and both strikes were off center. (It realized $432 at a Heritage sale in February 2023.)

Click images to enlarge.

Other NGC-certified coins sold through Heritage Auctions with an Off-center Strike error include:

• a Standing Liberty Quarter Struck 35% Off Center graded NGC Mint Error MS 65 FH that realized $33,600 in July 2022
• a Seated Liberty Quarter Double Struck with the Second Strike Off Center graded NGC Mint Error MS 62 that realized $31,200 in August 2020
• a New Orleans Mint Morgan Dollar Struck 30% Off Center graded NGC Mint Error AU 53 that realized $10,200 in November 2022
• an 1866 Rays Shield Nickel Struck 30% Off Center graded NGC Mint Error MS 66 that realized $8,408 in July 2023
• a Cuba 20 Centavos Struck 20% Off Center graded NGC Mint Error MS 65 that realized $4,080 in May 2021
• a 1961 Jefferson Nickel Struck 30% Off Center graded NGC Mint Error PF 66 that realized $4,025 in August 2028
• an 1853-O Arrows and Rays Quarter Struck 10% Off Center graded NGC Mint Error VG 8 that realized $3,120 in February 2022
• a 2000-P Sacagawea Dollar Struck 50% Off Center graded NGC MS 66 that realized $3,120 in April 2021
• a Jefferson Nickel Struck 35% Off Center graded NGC PF 67 Ultra Cameo that realized $1,560 in August 2020
• a Venezuela 1896 12.5 Centimos Struck 50% Off Center graded NGC Mint Error MS 62 that realized $1,080 in September 2018

Other Mint Error Coin Chronicles Articles:

• Broadstrikes
• Brockage
• Partial Collars
• Rotated Dies Error
• Strike-through Error
• Transitional Errors