misstruck

Misstruck is a numismatic term describing coins, medals, or tokens produced with an incorrect strike. This can produce partial designs, off-center images, rim or lettering errors, or other distortions that differ from the intended mint design. Misstruck pieces range from small imperfections to severely deformed appearances and are distinguished from correctly struck issues and from decorative counterfeits.

Misstruck coins arise from several failures in the minting process. Common causes include misalignment of the dies relative to the planchet (off-center strikes), excessive or insufficient pressure, a misfed or improperly seated planchet, or a second strike while the first impression remains incomplete (double strikes). Other forms include broadstrikes, where the design extends to the edge, and planchet or die defects that produce missing or extra elements.

Collectors value misstruck pieces according to rarity, degree of error, and desirability. Minor misstrikes that affect only a small portion of the design are typically common and low in value, while coins with dramatic, well-defined errors can command significant premiums. Some misstruck coins are widely collected as an important part of mint error categories, while others are primarily of local or regional interest. Authentic misstruck items are identified by reference guides, dealer catalogs, and professional grading services, which document the type of error and its rarity.

In practice, misstruck coins illustrate how minting operations can fail in predictable ways, and they are studied for insights into historical production methods as well as for their collectible appeal.