My Investigation into Unusual Die Breaks on a 2020 P Dime

As a coin collector, I’ve examined countless dimes for errors over the years, but the 2020 P dime photos that recently crossed my desk stopped me in my tracks. What began as routine inspection time turned into weeks of fascinating research into die breaks – let me walk you through what I discovered.

What I Observed on the Coin

When I first studied those enhanced photos (no filters, just good lighting and magnification), Roosevelt’s nose showed this odd raised bump that immediately grabbed my attention. Some collectors might chuckle and call it a ‘wart’ or ‘booger’, but I knew it signaled something more interesting. That irregular protrusion wasn’t alone either – I spotted similar anomalies elsewhere, including what looked like planchet spin marks on the reverse. This dime practically demanded closer examination.

The Die Break Debate Unpacked

As I dug into the details, the situation proved more complex than I first thought. Here’s what my research uncovered about these features:

• That nose bump appears to be an interior die break (IDB) – where a fragment breaks off inside the die cavity, letting extra metal flow in during striking. It’s easy to confuse these with smaller die chips, but the scale is different.
• Despite some creative nicknames floating around, this isn’t some special ‘bullet font’ variety or intentional design – just a cool mint error doing its thing.
• Don’t mix these up with cuds either – those dramatic rim breaks create very different looking coins.

Cross-referencing with Error-ref.com became my go-to move during this project – that site’s a lifesaver when you’re stuck on identification.

Practical Advice for Spotting and Collecting

If you stumble across something similar in your own searching, here’s what I’d suggest:

• Inspect closely: Grab your loupe and a bright light. Focus on high-relief areas like facial features where irregularities often show up clearest. Photos help, but keep them honest – no digital trickery.
• Document everything: Record the date, mint mark (this was a Philly piece), and photograph from multiple angles. From what I’ve seen, these 2020 P errors aren’t common, so good records really matter.
• Use trusted references: Bookmark Error-ref.com in your browser – it’s become my first stop when puzzling over error coins.

Collecting errors like this adds such fun personality to a series without costing a fortune.

Grading Tips and Market Insights

Regarding value, well-defined IDBs can actually boost a coin’s appeal to specialists. Small ones might not move the needle much, but showstoppers like our ‘nose bump’ friend become real conversation starters. Lately I’ve noticed more collector interest in recent error dimes, partly thanks to online communities sharing finds. While authentication could mean a nice premium over face value, always get a second opinion before selling – I’ve learned that lesson the hard way!

This little 2020 P dime reminded me why I love this hobby – sometimes the most ordinary-looking coins hide extraordinary stories. Keep looking closely at your change, folks. You never know when you’ll spot the next great error waiting in a pocketful of dimes!