Rotated Die question
How many degrees of rotation is considered collectible. It seems I get quite a number of 35-40 degree rotation on pennies. I figured maybe a minimum of a quarter turn would be significant.
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How many degrees of rotation is considered collectible. It seems I get quite a number of 35-40 degree rotation on pennies. I figured maybe a minimum of a quarter turn would be significant.
Comments
At one time 15 degrees was the norm. Or acceptable.
45° is typically where premiums start with 180° getting top dollar unless it's a series where rotation of any kind is rare. Conversely, if it's a common series for rotation like 2c pieces there really is no premium unless it's a full 180° and even then it's small.
With Lincoln cents they made gazillions of them so rotations are fairly common. I'd say 90° should start getting premiums incrementally going up to 180°
I don't pay attention until the rotation is at least 90 degrees. I don't know what other people do.
http://www.shieldnickels.net
I search for the 360 degree rotations....
bob:)
Rotations on modern 'proof' minted coins commands a premium of sorts, only because of the controlled minting process. 15-20 degrees is somewhat significant.
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
I have a few rotated golds. Here is one of my favorites:


Nicely rotated Liberty Seated half dollar...
It depends on the type. 15° is considered to be within mint tolerance. Beyond that, it becomes worth mentioning. It can be hard to find someone to pay a premium for it unless you're closer to 180°. Even then, some types, 2c pieces come to mind, are more common with rotated dies than others.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Lol Bob. But it should be said for those lurkers reading this thread that don't know (I've actually been asked this before) a rotated die cannot go past 180° because there is no way to tell which way the die was spinning.
Generally, 90 degrees is when it starts to get attention - and premiums. Again, these are attractive to error or special segment collectors. A 180 degree rotation is significant and definitely commands a premium. Cheers, RickO
Here's the deal on Rotated Reverses, from my point of view.
. Official Mint tolerance is 27 degrees - it's posted on the Presses'.
. Most collectors want at least a 90 degree rotation, but I've found
that 45 degrees is acceptable to some collectors of some type coins.
. Simple rule: if the top of the reverse of your coin points to:
10:30 or 1:30, it's rotated 45 Degrees CCW or CW
9:00 or 3:00, it's rotated 90 Degrees CCW or CW
. General Rule: If the top of the reverse of your coin points to
between 10:00 and 12:00, it might barely make the 27 degrees,
but it's not much in demand by 98.5% of collectors of that series.
--- and if it points to 12:00 to 2:00, same thing.....not, or barely, collectable.
Thanks for all the great comments!
Here is an 1857 Half Dime with almost 180 degree rotation...
