Off Center vs Misaligned dies

habaraca

What is a good definition of off center vs misaligned dies.

I think off center strike is that both sides will show same amount of off center difference, where as a misaligned die will
show off for one side, indicating the planchet was centered in the press...

what would you call this example?

savoyspecial

the example you picture is not a severe enough deviation to earn either MAD or O/C labeling IMO

lostincoins

I would say off center but for this series would that be acceptable as a normal strike?

habaraca

Thanks for the comments...

So what is necessary for one to be called Off Center?

FredWeinberg

An off-center coin must have design elements
missing to be considered a true off-center strike.

There are many coins that are unevenly broadstruck
out of the collar; they have an off-center look to them,
but nothing is missing from the design of the coin dies.
These are called "uncentered broadstrikes".

BustHalfBrian

I always think of it like this, although there are exceptions;

If one side of the coin is off-center while the other side is perfectly centered, it's a misaligned-die strike.

If both sides are off center to the same degree, it's an off-center strike.

maibockaddict

Henry Hilgard's error photos are still up

Sheridan's Site

I believe that your coin is considered an error, but a mild one. Judging by what Henry was calling an error, it is one.

I have an 1813 O-107 just like yours. The edge lettering on mine is messed up

1813 O-107

19Lyds

<< <i>An off-center coin must have design elements
missing to be considered a true off-center strike.

There are many coins that are unevenly broadstruck
out of the collar; they have an off-center look to them,
but nothing is missing from the design of the coin dies.
These are called "uncentered broadstrikes". >>

Thanks for the explanation Fred.

cladking

I'd call this coin both off-center and misaligned dies because the obverse is further off than the reverse.

Both effects are too little in degree to warrant the label however. It might be noted that's it's off center slightly but the misalignment is even more nominal.

gonzer

There have been instances where the obverse has been misaligned up around 20% (a 1973 Lincoln comes to mind) resulting in what looks like an off-center that retains an almost perfect circle. However, the reverse will be missing detail opposite the misalignment.