2017P Nickel

Hey fellow coin enthusiasts! I recently got super into collecting, and one of the first coins that really caught my eye was the 2017 P Nickel. Before 2017, the Philadelphia Mint didn't put its 'P' mint mark on nickels, making this year a bit of a milestone for collectors like us. It’s always exciting to learn little historical tidbits about the coins we handle every day! What makes the 2017 P Nickel even more thrilling for me is the potential for discovering mint errors. When I first heard about 'mint errors,' I pictured something super obvious, but often, they are subtle anomalies that can significantly increase a coin's value. It’s like a treasure hunt right in your pocket change! So, what kind of errors am I always looking for when I'm sifting through my 2017 nickels? Here are a few common types of mint errors that can occur and are definitely worth keeping an eye out for: Doubled Die (DD): This happens when the die (the mold that strikes the coin) has been imprinted more than once, slightly misaligned. This can result in a doubled appearance of lettering, numbers (like the '2017' date itself!), or design elements. A good magnifier is your best friend here! Off-Center Strikes: Sometimes, the coin blank (or planchet) isn't perfectly centered when it's struck by the dies. This results in a coin where part of the design is missing, and you can often see a blank area on one side. These can range from slightly off-center to dramatically so, and the more off-center, usually the more valuable. Planchet Errors: These errors relate to the coin blank itself before it's even struck. Examples include 'clipped planchets' (where a piece of the blank was cut off before striking, leaving a straight or curved edge), or 'lamination errors' (where layers of the coin's metal peel or flake off). I’ve seen some really cool examples of these! Die Breaks or Cracks: Over time, the dies used to strike coins can develop cracks. When a coin is struck with a cracked die, the crack appears as a raised line on the coin's surface. Sometimes these cracks can be quite extensive and are often called 'cuds' if they involve a significant portion of the rim. My personal routine for checking coins involves a good light source and a 10x jeweler's loupe. I go through each side of the coin slowly, paying close attention to the date (the '2017' is key!), the mint mark 'P', and all the intricate details of Jefferson's portrait and Monticello. It might seem tedious, but the potential reward of finding something unique keeps me going. It’s not just about the monetary value; it’s the thrill of discovery and holding a piece of history that’s a little bit different from the rest. Happy hunting, everyone!