My Numismatic Journey: Is That 1990 Error Penny Worth Grading?

You know how it goes when you’ve been collecting coins for a while – you start spotting things others might miss. Just last week, I was sorting through some pennies and found a 1990 Lincoln cent with something odd: faint traces of the Lincoln Memorial peeking through on Lincoln’s profile. That got me wondering whether this little oddity was worth sending off for grading, and I thought I’d share what I learned with you all.

Understanding the Error: Die Clash Explained

Right away, I recognized this as a die clash. It happens when the front and back dies smack together without a blank planchet between them, leaving ghost images imprinted on each other. Grading services like NGC call these “clashed dies” errors. While they’re not exactly rare in modern cents, they still add a fun twist to any collection when you find one.

Is Grading Worth the Cost?

Let’s be honest – grading decisions often come down to simple math. For this 1990 die clash, I wouldn’t bother submitting it, and here’s why:

• Low Market Value: Even in nice condition like MS-63 or 64 red, you’d be lucky to get more than a few dollars for it – nowhere near covering the $30-$50 grading fee.
• Recovery Challenges: Common errors like this rarely justify the grading cost unless they’re spectacular or extremely rare.
• Practical Alternative: Keep it as a neat pocket piece or snap some photos for your records. It’s perfect for learning about die states without spending your coffee money.

The Error vs. Variety Debate

This got me thinking about that old collector’s debate: are die clashes errors or varieties? I fall firmly in the error camp because the mint never meant for them to happen. Take classics like the Franklin “Bugs Bunny” half dollar or certain Morgan dollar VAMs – they’re born from these accidental clashes. While some folks call them varieties, I’ve always felt that if the mint didn’t intend it, it’s an error. After all, we don’t call misprinted stamps “varieties,” do we?

Clearing Up Mintmark Misconceptions

While we’re on mint mysteries, let’s tackle a common mix-up I see. A 1990 cent with no mintmark isn’t an error – it’s just a standard Philadelphia issue. Before 1991, mintmarks were hand-punched, which did lead to rare oversights like the coveted 1990 proof cent missing its ‘S’. Keep these basics in mind:

• Cents: No mintmark = Philadelphia coin (except 2017 commemoratives)
• Nickels: No mintmarks 1938-1979; added starting 1980 (watch for oddballs like the 1943 with ‘P’ above Monticello)
• Dimes, Quarters, Halves: No mintmarks from 1946-1979 (dimes), 1932-1979 (quarters), and 1964-1979 (halves); returned in 1980

Always double-check before assuming you’ve struck gold – most no-mintmark coins are just Philly regulars.

Insights on Grading Services

I’ve had my share of headaches with grading companies. NGC in particular seems inconsistent – they’ll reject minor errors but accept similar ones, and they don’t always follow instructions. Once I paid extra for error attribution on a clearly flawed coin, only to get it back ungraded with no refund. Felt like throwing money down a drain. My hard-earned advice? Only submit coins that are either truly rare or valuable enough to justify the cost and potential frustration.

So while that 1990 die clash penny isn’t grading material, it’s still a wonderful gateway into error collecting. Focus on the joy of discovery – coins like this make our hobby richer without emptying our wallets. Happy hunting out there!