Unveiling the Mystery: My Experience with Peculiar Images on a 2020 P Dime

As a lifelong coin collector, I’m always fascinated by the little oddities that make each piece unique. Just the other day, I found myself poring over images of a 2020 P dime with some truly strange features – starting with what looked like a tiny ‘wart’ on Roosevelt’s nose. This sent me down the rabbit hole of mint errors, and I’d love to share what I discovered. Maybe it’ll help you spot similar quirks in your own collection.

That Curious ‘Nose Wart’

When I first zoomed in on this 2020 P dime, my eyes locked onto a raised bump right on FDR’s nose. At first glance, you might think it’s a simple die chip or even chuckle at what looks like a ‘booger.’ But after spending some quality time with my loupe and reference materials, I’m convinced it’s actually an interior die break (IDB). Here’s what happens: a tiny piece of the die breaks off internally, letting extra metal flow into that space during striking. It’s not damage or a font issue – just a genuine mint error that gives this dime some real personality.

• Keep an eye on high-relief spots like faces – they’re prime real estate for IDBs.
• Grab your magnifier to tell die chips (surface flaws) from IDBs – the breaks often look more like distinct blobs.

Making Sense of Die Breaks

While researching this dime, I realized how often collectors mix up error terms. That ‘nose wart’ isn’t a die chip – it’s a classic IDB. And what some call die chips are often IDBs when they’re not near the rim. Actual cuds are different beasts entirely – those dramatic breaks happen right along the edge. I leaned heavily on trusty resources like error-ref.com to sort through the terminology. Getting this right matters because mislabeling errors can trip up grading or affect a coin’s value.

On the reverse, there’s also talk about possible rim issues or ‘spin’ marks. These might point to post-strike mint handling – the kind of thing that happens when coins rattle around together. If you spot something similar, snap photos from multiple angles to help confirm what you’re seeing.

What Errors Mean for Value

From years in this hobby, I’ve seen how errors like our nose IDB can swing a coin’s grade and worth. Small, isolated IDBs might not hurt the grade much, but bigger or multiple breaks could knock it down – especially on modern coins where we expect near-perfection. For this 2020 P dime though, that little bump adds rarity and collector appeal. Error enthusiasts often pay nice premiums for well-documented quirks like this, particularly on recent coins.

• When submitting for grading, include clear, close-up photos that highlight the error. A little ethical photo enhancement can help without crossing lines.
• Focus on how the flaw affects the overall strike. Minor IDBs might not detract much if everything else is sharp, but graders should still note them.

Sharpening Your Error-Spotting Skills

This dime reminded me how much I’ve refined my own error-hunting approach over time. Start with sharp images – I used digital zoom to get up close without adding anything fake. For this 2020 P piece, I’d suggest checking other dates with similar designs too. You might uncover a pattern or limited run of coins with matching quirks. Always handle carefully so you don’t create damage that looks like a mint error!

Here’s what works for me when examining coins:

• Good lighting is your best friend – pair it with a loupe or microscope
• Double-check against reference sites like error-ref.com
• Keep detailed notes and photos in your collection log – super helpful when discussing or selling

At the end of the day, this 2020 P dime adventure captures why I love coin collecting. Every piece has a story, and errors like our IDB make the hunt even more exciting. If you stumble across something unusual, dig in – it might just become your next favorite find. Happy hunting!