[Example] 1971-D Lincoln with Dropped Letter on Reverse

[Guest]

This is a 1971-D Lincoln Cent which has a dropped letter (Incused) into the reverse of the coin at the end of "UNITED". Coins with this error can be found in circulation and and any portion of Lettering/Numbers have been found on samples and no two are alike.

This is a Mint Error and is graded MS-63 Red/Brown.

Dropped Letter error coins are always unique. They are caused by the flake which bears the letter or number of a previously struck coin. The event will invariably result in a single error coin produced by the process. The flake will not create a second or subsequent dropped letter coin.

[JeanK]

Hey Joe, I have several dropped letters all on bu coins. Do you think they are worth having slabbed? I have not had anything slabbed but my avatar coin.
Tell me more, please. Oh my, I like these error coins more than any other.
Jean

[jcuve]

That's a nice example Joe.

Do you have a textbook description for us who don’t have one? I know I have seen a die clash with a "Y" in the bays called a dropped letter and I thought it was probably incorrect...

[RWBILLER]

nice joe - i got a couple - the latest a 1994P Unc with reverse letter I in UNITED.
thx
roger

[1sgret]

Hey Joe, I have several dropped letters all on bu coins. Do you think they are worth having slabbed? I have not had anything slabbed but my avatar coin.
Tell me more, please. Oh my, I like these error coins more than any other.
Jean

Dropped Letter errors are far too scarce to allow an orderly compilation of price guides. Far too few have ever been reported by error coin dealers to make a comprehensive listing possible. REF:"The Error Coin Encyclopedia" 4th ED, Pg 274.

Yes, Jean if it were mine I would get them slabbed thru Economy service for verification and safekeeping. (My thoughts only)

That's a nice example Joe.

Do you have a textbook description for us who don’t have one? I know I have seen a die clash with a "Y" in the bays called a dropped letter and I thought it was probably incorrect...

The one you saw advertised on E-bay was a clashed die and not a dropped letter. The Error coin dealer made a mistake (Which we all do at times) however he was advised of it and let the error continue on.

[JeanK]

I will do that Joe. The book you mention is one I have in my reference library, and I refer to it constantly. This seems to be a good way to get my feet wet in the slabbing community. Anacs seems to be the best way to go.
Tell me, did they require proof of attribution with the slabbing submission?

Oh my, a thought... maybe this forum would be a good place to start a photographic list of the dropped letters coins we have all accumulated. All five of mine have been confirmed as being authentic.
Jean

[1sgret]

I will do that Joe. The book you mention is one I have in my reference library, and I refer to it constantly. This seems to be a good way to get my feet wet in the slabbing community. Anacs seems to be the best way to go.
Tell me, did they require proof of attribution with the slabbing submission?

Oh my, a thought... maybe this forum would be a good place to start a photographic list of the dropped letters coins we have all accumulated. All five of mine have been confirmed as being authentic.
Jean

No the dropped letter is proof enough in the error category. Just annotate the paperwork upon submission that it is a dropped letter on the Rev/obv (Alpha Numeric), and submit it as an error coin.

I would submit all of them together that way all the coins are "ducks in a row" by numbers on the slab and list them by the dropped letter in ALPHA Order which would also be KOOL!!!!!!

[ericodapro]

Interesting.. thanks for sharing

[JeanK]

Sounds like a great plan Joe!
Thanks for all your help.
Jean

[trails]

While dropped letter is the excepted term, I feel that dropper design element would be a better form of terminology. There are examples of dropped design elements that do not involve letters; ex. digits.

Actually, an recessed area in the die can form a hardened shaped blob that can indent the die during the strike. What is particularly rare is the dropped design element that involves two or more design elements.

As to the rarity of dropped design elements, it is their life expectancy that determines that. They usually last through only one strike

BJ