Unraveling the Mystery of Odd Images on a 2020 P Dime: My Numismatic Exploration

I recently came across some intriguing images of a 2020 P dime—specifically, what seemed to be unusual bumps on the coin’s surface. As a long-time coin collector, I just had to get to the bottom of this mystery. So, I thought I’d share how I identified these errors, cleared up some confusion, and gathered tips that might help you in your own searches.

What Caught My Eye on the Dime

When I first examined the enhanced photos, I noticed some odd features around Roosevelt’s nose. They looked like raised bumps or even warts—a description I’ve heard from other collectors. But in our hobby, we have to be precise. So I set out to figure out if these were die chips or something else. The images were clear and unaltered; we used filters to bring out details, but nothing was added. That’s important when you’re trying to get a proper look.

Straight Talk on Die Errors: Chips vs. Breaks

As I dug deeper, I realized many collectors mix up terms like ‘die chip’ and ‘interior die break’ (IDB). Here’s how I understand it: A die chip happens when a tiny piece breaks off the die, leaving a void that gets filled with metal during striking. But for breaks inside the die, we should call them IDBs. And let’s be honest, jokes about ‘boogers’ or ‘bullet fonts’ just distract from real study. Meanwhile, cuds are breaks that happen along the rim. For clear definitions and examples, I always point folks to error-ref.com—it’s saved me countless headaches.

Handy Tips for Finding and Valuing Errors

If you’re hunting for errors like this 2020 P dime, here’s what I’ve learned:

• Grab a magnifier and use good lighting when you’re checking coins. Without them, small details like IDBs can slip right by
• Bookmark trusted resources like error-ref.com to learn about different errors. It’ll help you avoid mislabeling and build your skills
• When it comes to value, minor die breaks usually don’t add much. But if they’re unique or stand out, they can make a coin more interesting and even fetch a bit more. That ‘nose wart’? It’s definitely a conversation starter!
• Since errors like this can catch the eye of specialty collectors, snap clear photos and jot down notes. It’ll help if you decide to trade or sell

Why This Little Dime Got Me Hooked

After putting all the clues together, I’m sure we’re looking at an interior die break—a real mint error that gives this dime some personality. But what really gets me excited is the possibility that similar errors might show up on other dates. I’m already planning to check! For me, finds like this are what make coin collecting so much fun. Every coin has a story, and errors like IDBs are like little surprises that can make any collection more interesting. So keep looking—your next pocket change might just hold a hidden treasure!