Last month, Johnny Bowen, a dedicated coin collector and CoinWeek reader, reached out to me regarding an unusual Lincoln Memorial Cent error coin he had discovered. The coin in question was a 1980-S Lincoln Cent Proof, one of the 3,554,806 minted that year as part of the 1980 United States Proof Set. Bowen had purchased the set directly from the United States Mint 44 years ago and noticed at that time that the Lincoln Cent featured an unusual characteristic not typically found on most coins.
According to Bowen, the 1980-S Lincoln Cent Proof in his set was struck using significantly misaligned dies. He was curious to know if the coin held any value beyond the typical dollar it might fetch if sold individually.
I asked Bowen to send me clear photographs of both sides of the Proof Set so I could accurately measure the die orientation. Upon confirming that the coin was indeed a Mint Error, I provided Johnny with submission information for the top three coin grading services. I also informed him that, once the coin was graded, I would assist him in finding a dealer who might be interested in it.
Bowen decided to submit his coin to CACG, which graded the error coin as CAC PR67RD CAM. They noted that the coin was struck with dies rotated 140 degrees clockwise. The Proof 67 grade is common for Lincoln Cent Proofs from that era. However, the coin did not receive CAC’s Deep Cameo designation due to slight softness in the frosting on the lettering of “STATES” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
What Is a Rotated Die Error?
Coins produced by the U.S. Mint are crafted to precise specifications. Typically, when dies are mounted in a coin press, the obverse (heads side) is mounted right-side up, while the reverse (tails side) is mounted upside down. This alignment, known as a “coin turn,” ensures that when you flip the coin on its vertical axis, the reverse image appears right-side up.
In the case of a rotated die error, the reverse die is mounted incorrectly, resulting in misalignment. The most extreme misalignment for a U.S. coin is 180 degrees. In Bowen’s 1980-S Lincoln Cent Proof error, the reverse die was rotated 140 degrees clockwise.
Proof Error Coins and the Mint’s Quality Control
The United States Mint is renowned for its high-quality coin production, especially when it comes to Proof coins struck for numismatic collectors. Proof coins are struck individually with great care to ensure their mirrored surfaces remain pristine and untouched by other coins or human hands. These coins undergo strict quality control checks before packaging. Coins that fail inspection are set aside for destruction.
Given the nature of Bowen’s rotated die error, it is likely that the dies that produced his coin may have struck other coins as well. It might be worth checking your 1980 United States Proof Sets to see if a similar error occurred with your Lincoln Cent.
What Did Johnny Do with the Coin?
After discussing the coin with several nationally known dealers, I suggested Johnny offer it to a specialist in mint errors. I connected him with Jon Sullivan of Sullivan Numismatics in Land O’ Lakes, Florida.
