Here's a true modern rarity - clipped 2003 cent

seanq · April 19, 2004 5:00AM

Rampage mentioned in his post how the supply of modern (2002 or later) errors has all but evaporated. This is due in part to improved production methods at the Mints, such as horizontal-strike presses, which simply don't produce the same types of errors the old vertical-strike presses did. The Mint has also tightened up security at all phases of their operation, meaning errors are not diverted from outside coin counting and rolling vendors, but returned to the Mint for destruction. Finally, the advent of the multi-ton ballistic bag has all but eliminated the practice of searching freshly coined Mint-sewn bags for errors.

All that being said, a few errors do still escape, chiefly those which aren't misshapen and caught in the various screening and counting operations. Minor off-centers are scarce but available for most modern issues. And while you would think clips could slip through, in reality very few dated 2002 or later have turned up. All of which serves as an introduction for this coin - at the WESPNEX show in April I was offered what I believe is the first known 2003-P cent clip. It arrived today, is pictured below, and will soon take its place in my date set.

I have only seen two 2003-D cent clips offered, both on eBay within the last two months, and one of them also resides in my set.

I hope no one minds these show-and-crow type posts, but I lke to share these acquisitions with folks who could appreciate them (as opposed to my wife, who will probably sigh and ask "so how much did you pay for this one?")

Sean Reynolds