Strike Through Errors on Coins: Should You Submit for Grading? 2025 Guide

Strike through errors occur when foreign material gets caught between the coin die and planchet during striking, creating unique and often valuable mint errors. However, not every strike through error justifies the $30-150+ cost of professional grading. Understanding which strike through errors command collector premiums and which ones are too minor to grade profitably separates smart error coin collectors from those wasting grading fees on common manufacturing defects.

Before submitting any error coin for professional certification, using AI pre-assessment helps verify the coin's base grade and condition, ensuring the strike through error is dramatic enough to justify grading costs and deliver positive return on investment.

What Are Strike Through Errors?

Strike through errors happen when the coin die strikes through an object positioned between the die and planchet. This foreign material prevents the die's design from fully transferring to the coin, leaving distinctive marks, depressions, or missing design elements.

**Common Strike Through Materials:**

- **Cloth/Fabric**: Grease rag fragments showing fabric weave pattern - **Wire**: Creates raised line across coin surface - **Feeder Finger**: Metal feeding mechanism leaves blank area - **Grease/Oil**: Filled dies create weak or missing details - **Struck Through Cap**: Another planchet stuck to die during striking - **Foreign Objects**: Debris, metal fragments, or other materials - **Die Fill**: Grease or metal particles filling die recesses

The value and collectibility depend on the error's dramatic visual impact, rarity, and effect on the coin's appearance.

Types of Strike Through Errors Worth Grading

Not all strike through errors have equal value. Focus grading budget on these premium categories:

Struck Through Cloth/Fabric Fragments

**Value Range**: $50-500+ depending on coin and prominence **Visual Impact**: Fabric weave pattern visible on coin surface **Grading Worthiness**: Yes, if pattern covers 25%+ of coin face **Market Demand**: Strong collector interest, especially on silver coins **Minimum Grade**: MS-60 or higher for best ROI

**Example Values:** - Lincoln Cent struck through cloth MS-64: $75-150 - Washington Quarter struck through fabric MS-65: $200-400 - Morgan Dollar struck through cloth MS-63: $500-1,200

Struck Through Wire

**Value Range**: $75-800+ for dramatic examples **Visual Impact**: Raised line running across coin design **Grading Worthiness**: Yes, if wire impression is clear and crosses major design elements **Market Demand**: High for visually dramatic specimens **Minimum Grade**: MS-62+ for silver, MS-63+ for copper

**Example Values:** - Jefferson Nickel struck through wire MS-64: $100-200 - Kennedy Half Dollar struck through wire MS-65: $300-600 - State Quarter struck through wire MS-66: $150-350

Struck Through Feeder Finger

**Value Range**: $100-1,000+ depending on size and coin type **Visual Impact**: Blank area where feeder mechanism blocked die impression **Grading Worthiness**: Yes, if blank area is 15%+ of coin surface **Market Demand**: Very strong—dramatic and easily explained error **Minimum Grade**: MS-60+ (error visibility matters more than pristine grade)

**Example Values:** - Roosevelt Dime struck through feeder MS-63: $150-300 - Washington Quarter struck through feeder MS-64: $250-500 - Kennedy Half struck through feeder MS-65: $400-900

Struck Through Grease (Filled Die)

**Value Range**: $25-200+ for dramatic examples **Visual Impact**: Weak or missing design details, especially letters/dates **Grading Worthiness**: Only if extremely dramatic (50%+ design missing) **Market Demand**: Moderate—common error, needs to be spectacular **Minimum Grade**: MS-63+ required for any significant premium

**Grading Caution**: Minor grease strikes are very common and rarely worth certification costs. Only extreme examples justify grading fees.

Struck Through Capped Die

**Value Range**: $200-5,000+ depending on cap stage and coin type **Visual Impact**: Blank planchet impression or dramatic design weakness **Grading Worthiness**: Absolutely—rare and valuable error type **Market Demand**: Extremely high among error specialists **Minimum Grade**: Any mint state grade worth certifying

These errors occur when a planchet sticks to the die and subsequent coins are struck through this "cap." Among the most desirable modern mint errors.

Strike Through Errors NOT Worth Grading

Save grading fees by avoiding these low-value strike through types:

**Minor Grease Strikes** - Slight weakness in small design areas - Value: $2-10 over face value - Reason to skip: Extremely common, certification costs exceed any premium

**Die Fill in Single Letters** - One or two letters weakly struck - Value: Face value to $5 - Reason to skip: Too minor to interest collectors

**Weakly Struck Through Debris** - Barely visible strike through marks - Value: $5-15 - Reason to skip: Grading costs ($30-50) exceed entire coin value

**Partial Cloth Strikes (Under 10% Coverage)** - Small fabric impression in limited area - Value: $20-40 - Reason to skip: Marginal ROI after grading costs

**Environmental Damage Masquerading as Errors** - Post-mint damage that looks like strike through - Value: Face value or less - Reason to skip: Will receive "Details—Damaged" grade, destroying any value

How to Authenticate Strike Through Errors

Distinguishing genuine mint errors from post-mint damage prevents wasted grading fees and protects against purchasing fakes.

**Authentication Checklist:**

**1. Check Edge Upset** - Genuine mint strikes show proper edge upset (raised rim) - Strike through errors should have normal edge characteristics - Damaged coins often show edge irregularities

**2. Examine Under Magnification** - Strike through areas show consistent depth and characteristics - Post-mint damage shows random, irregular patterns - Fabric strikes show organized weave patterns, not random marks

**3. Verify Flow Lines** - Metal flow lines should be consistent across error area - Look for displacement of metal around strike through impression - Artificial damage disrupts natural metal flow

**4. Assess Opposite Side** - Strike through errors often show compression on reverse - Coin may be slightly thicker in strike through area - Both sides should show effects of minting process

**5. Consider Coin Type and Era** - Modern coins (1990s+) have fewer dramatic strike throughs due to improved quality control - Earlier coins more likely to have genuine errors - State Quarters era (1999-2008) saw many cloth strike errors

Use proper coin photography to document error characteristics before submission.

How PCGS and NGC Grade Strike Through Errors

Professional grading services apply specific standards to error coins, different from regular grading criteria.

**Error Grading Considerations:**

**Base Coin Quality** - Technical grade assigned to non-error portions of coin - Surface marks and preservation matter outside error area - Strike quality evaluated on unaffected design elements - Color designation applies (for copper: RD, RB, BN)

**Error Authenticity** - Must be genuine mint error, not post-mint damage - Documentation may be requested for unusual errors - Questionable errors may be rejected or returned for expert review - Clear mint origin required for certification

**Error Severity** - Dramatic errors may receive premium holder designations - Severity noted in grading description - More dramatic errors sometimes receive benefit of doubt on technical grade - Eye appeal of error affects market value more than technical grade

**Special Designations** - PCGS uses detailed error descriptions on holder - NGC may add star for exceptional eye appeal - Both services photograph dramatic errors for archives - Severe errors may receive encapsulation without numerical grade (just "Genuine" + error description)

Understanding how professional grading works helps predict whether your error coin will receive certification.

When to Submit Strike Through Errors for Grading

Apply this decision framework before spending grading fees:

**Submit If:** - Error covers 20%+ of coin surface (dramatic visual impact) - Coin grades MS-62 or higher in non-error areas - Error type commands proven collector premium ($75+ market value) - AI pre-assessment shows no disqualifying surface problems - Similar errors have sold successfully in certified holders - Error is easily photographable and describable - Total value after grading will exceed $100 (providing sufficient margin)

**Don't Submit If:** - Error is minor or subtle (under 10% of coin affected) - Coin has cleaning, damage, or environmental issues - Error type is very common (minor grease strikes) - Grading costs will exceed realistic market value - Uncertainty exists about error authenticity - Similar errors sell for under $50 in graded holders - Coin grades below MS-60 (circulated error coins rarely worth certification)

ROI Analysis: Grading Strike Through Errors

Calculate profitability before submission:

**Profitable Example:** - Washington Quarter struck through cloth: Found in change - Acquisition cost: $0.25 - PCGS grading fee: $46 - Total investment: $46.25 - Grades MS-64 with dramatic cloth strike: $200-300 value - Net profit: $154-254 (excellent ROI)

**Break-Even Example:** - Lincoln Cent struck through grease (moderate): $2 - PCGS grading fee: $46 - Total investment: $48 - Grades MS-63 with grease strike: $50-60 value - Net profit: $2-12 (poor ROI, barely worth effort)

**Loss Example:** - Roosevelt Dime with weak strike through: $5 - PCGS grading fee: $46 - Total investment: $51 - Rejected as "too minor to attribute" or grades MS-64 common: $8 value - Net loss: $43

Review guidance on determining if your coin is worth grading to avoid unprofitable submissions.

Most Valuable Strike Through Errors by Coin Type

Different denominations command different premiums for strike through errors:

Lincoln Cents

**Best Errors**: Struck through cloth, feeder finger **Value Range**: $50-300 in MS-63+ Red designation **Grading Threshold**: MS-63 RD minimum **Market Notes**: Wheat cents (pre-1959) command higher premiums than Memorial cents

Jefferson Nickels

**Best Errors**: Struck through wire, cloth, feeder finger **Value Range**: $75-400 in MS-64+ **Grading Threshold**: MS-63 minimum **Market Notes**: Silver war nickels (1942-45) with errors command premiums

Roosevelt Dimes

**Best Errors**: Struck through feeder finger, dramatic cloth **Value Range**: $100-500 in MS-64+ **Grading Threshold**: MS-63 minimum **Market Notes**: Silver dimes (pre-1965) more collectible than clad

Washington Quarters

**Best Errors**: Struck through cloth/fabric, feeder finger **Value Range**: $150-800 in MS-64+ **Grading Threshold**: MS-63 minimum **Market Notes**: State Quarters (1999-2008) have many cloth strike errors; silver quarters (pre-1965) command highest premiums

Kennedy Half Dollars

**Best Errors**: Struck through feeder, dramatic cloth, wire **Value Range**: $200-1,000+ in MS-64+ **Grading Threshold**: MS-62 minimum **Market Notes**: Larger coin size makes errors more dramatic and valuable

Morgan/Peace Dollars

**Best Errors**: Any dramatic strike through extremely valuable **Value Range**: $500-5,000+ in MS-60+ **Grading Threshold**: Any mint state grade worth certifying **Market Notes**: Strike through errors are rare on silver dollars; any genuine example is significant

Common Mistakes When Grading Strike Through Errors

Avoid these costly errors:

**Mistake 1: Confusing Weak Strikes with Strike Through Errors** - **Problem**: Normal weak strikes aren't errors - **Cost**: $46 grading fee for coin that returns as "Weakly Struck—Not Mint Error" - **Solution**: Study difference between strike quality and strike through errors

**Mistake 2: Submitting Post-Mint Damage as Errors** - **Problem**: Damage after leaving mint isn't collectible error - **Cost**: "Details—Damaged" grade destroys any value - **Solution**: Verify error characteristics match genuine mint errors

**Mistake 3: Grading Minor, Low-Value Errors** - **Problem**: $30-50 grading cost exceeds $20 error premium - **Cost**: Net loss on transaction - **Solution**: Only grade errors worth $75+ in certified holders

**Mistake 4: Ignoring Base Coin Condition** - **Problem**: Focusing on error while missing surface problems - **Cost**: Details grade even for genuine error if coin has issues - **Solution**: Pre-assess base coin quality before considering error premium

**Mistake 5: Overpaying for Raw Error Coins** - **Problem**: Buying "errors" that won't grade as genuine - **Cost**: Loss on purchase price plus wasted grading fees - **Solution**: Only buy certified errors or very low-cost raw specimens

Finding Strike Through Errors: Where to Look

Smart error hunters know where to find underpriced strike through errors:

**Best Sources:** - **Coin Roll Hunting**: Search bank rolls for modern errors - **Coin Shows**: Dealer junk boxes and error bins - **Estate Sales**: Old collections may contain unidentified errors - **Online Auctions**: Lots sold as "miscellaneous coins" without error mention - **Mint Sets**: Occasional errors slip through quality control - **Pocket Change**: Modern errors still found in circulation

**What to Pay for Raw Strike Through Errors:** - Face value to $5 for suspected minor errors (grading gamble) - $10-25 for dramatic errors on common dates (good risk/reward) - $25-50 for very dramatic errors on desirable coins (near-certain grading candidates) - Avoid paying $50+ for raw errors—at that price, seller would grade it themselves if confident

Using AI Pre-Assessment for Error Coins

Before submitting strike through errors, AI technology provides valuable screening:

**AI Assessment Benefits:** - Verify base coin quality meets grading standards - Detect surface problems that would result in details grade - Estimate technical grade for non-error portions - Screen for cleaning or environmental damage - Confidence scoring helps assess risk - Save grading fees by eliminating problem coins

**AI Limitations for Error Coins:** - Cannot authenticate error as genuine vs post-mint damage - May not accurately assess coins with unusual appearance - Error detection requires human expertise - Use AI for base coin quality, expert opinion for error authentication

Building a Strike Through Error Collection

For collectors specializing in strike through errors:

**Collection Strategy:** 1. **Focus on Dramatic Examples**: One spectacular error beats ten minor ones 2. **Diversify Error Types**: Collect different strike through categories 3. **Prioritize Eye Appeal**: Visual impact matters more than technical grade 4. **Document Finds**: Photograph and catalog where/when found 5. **Buy Certified When Valuable**: For $200+ errors, buy already graded to eliminate risk 6. **Grade Your Own Finds**: Submit coins you find, not expensive raw purchases 7. **Study Market Values**: Track auction results to understand true prices

Review whether buying raw or graded coins makes more sense for your error collection goals.

Make Smart Strike Through Error Grading Decisions

Strike through errors offer exciting collecting opportunities and profit potential—but only when you focus on dramatic, authenticated examples worth professional certification. By understanding which errors command collector premiums, verifying authenticity, and calculating ROI before submission, you maximize returns while avoiding wasted grading fees on minor manufacturing defects.

Use CoinGrader AI to assess the base quality of your error coins before submitting to PCGS or NGC. While AI cannot authenticate errors, it helps verify the underlying coin meets grading standards and screens for disqualifying surface problems that would result in details grades.

Start pre-assessing your error coins today and focus your grading budget on genuine opportunities with proven profit potential.