My Take on the 1990 Error Penny: Is Grading Worth the Cost?

You know how it goes—you’re sifting through a pile of pennies and suddenly spot something odd. That’s what happened with this 1990 Lincoln cent I found recently. It had ghostly traces of the Memorial building on Lincoln’s portrait side, which got me thinking about that age-old collector’s question: when is grading an error coin actually worth it? I’ll walk you through what I discovered about this particular die clash, share my thoughts on the error vs. variety debate, and pass along some hard-won advice about grading services.

Spotting That Die Clash

When I first noticed the faint lines on this 1990 penny, I knew immediately it was a die clash error. These happen when the obverse and reverse dies smack together without a blank planchet between them—like two stamps slamming face-to-face. The result? You get these eerie transferred designs, in this case bits of the Memorial showing up behind Lincoln’s profile. What I love about errors like this is they’re genuine minting accidents, each one telling its own little story of chaos at the press.

My Grading Reality Check

Let’s talk brass tacks about slabbing coins like this. For a common-date die clash—especially on a 1990 cent—I’ve learned grading rarely pays off. Here’s the math that changed my approach:

• PCGS or NGC fees start around $35-50 before shipping and insurance—that’s real money
• Even in sharp MS-63 red condition, this coin might fetch $3-5 tops from specialists
• I keep mine raw as a cool pocket piece rather than sinking cash into certification. It’s a great show-and-tell item, just don’t expect retirement funds!

Error or Variety? My Two Cents

This coin sparked a fun debate with my collecting buddies: should die clashes be called errors or varieties? I fall firmly in the error camp—these are pure accidents, like when your printer jams. But some folks point to coins like ‘Bugs Bunny’ Franklins or certain Morgan VAMs where repeated clashes create consistent features that get cataloged as varieties. It’s a gray area, but to me, the unintentional nature makes it a true error. Kinda like finding a typo on a dollar bill—it’s flawed, and that’s what makes it special.

Mintmarks Matter More Than You Think

Researching this penny reminded me how mintmarks can flip a coin’s value overnight. For Lincoln cents, no mintmark usually means Philadelphia—but watch for exceptions! Before 1991, mintmarks were hand-punched into dies, leading to rare errors when branch mints forgot. That 1990 proof cent missing its ‘S’? That’s a four-figure coin. Meanwhile, business strikes like mine are common. Here’s a quick cheat-sheet I use:

• Cents: Typically no mintmark (except special releases like 2017)
• Nickels: No mintmark 1938-1979 (except wartime ‘P’ nickels 1942-1945)
• Dimes/Quarters/Halves: No mintmark pre-1980, added after

Always triple-check those tiny letters—they’re often the difference between junk bin and jackpot!

Grading Service Gripes

I’ll be honest—I’ve had some frustrating experiences with grading companies. One time NGC charged me full fees to evaluate a minor error coin, then refused to slab it, saying it wasn’t “significant enough.” Felt like paying a mechanic who glances at your car and says “nah.” They also occasionally ignore submission instructions, which drives me nuts. My rule now? Only grade errors with clear rarity or premium value, and photograph everything before mailing. Save your cash for coins that’ll actually benefit from the plastic.

Parting Advice for Error Hunters

At the end of the day, this 1990 die clash reminded me why we collect—not for profit potential, but for the thrill of the find. Next time you spot something odd in your change, grab a loupe and enjoy the detective work. Research it, share photos in collector forums, and ask yourself: does this coin spark joy without a $50 slab? Some of my favorite collection pieces are raw errors that tell great stories. Keep looking down—your next exciting find might be in that coffee can of pennies!