Hello: I know some things about error coins, and am certainly not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. It would be like calling me a NASCAR driver, because I drive to work. Every year, I receive the proof coins from the mint, and am saving them to give to my grandkids some day. On the 2012 proof dollars I received, I noticed that on the side of each dollar, is an indentation, like something got jammed in the press and subsequently pressed against the coin. It appears each one is like this, and it still in the plastic case as received by the mint. On two of the dollars, it is very noticable, and the others, it is subtle. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to take a picture to post here, and I do not wish to remove the coins from the plastic. If anyone has ideas for a picture, please let me know. My question is this: Should I consider this an error, or a damaged coin? If damaged, would the US Mint exchange it? This is the first time something like this occured, so I am not quite sure what to do. Thanks for any insight.
Since all of the dollars are different, it would be nearly impossible for them all to have the same error. My guess is that the packaging is to blame.
Indeed, it seems like you are describing a sort of strike-through error, which is uncommon on multiple coins, especially when they have different designs AKA made with different dies.
Hello, and welcome to the forum. Are these different types of proof dollars, or did you buy multiples of each, one for each grandkid, and find the same thing on several of the same type?
The mint gives you a window of time to return items, if it's still within that window I'd return them. It sounds like damaged coins to me too.
I tried taking a picture with the small pocket camera I have, and it does not capture anything. My niece has an SLR; but, she does not live close by, and it will be a while before I see her. Whereas it is on 2 coins, which are two different presidential dollars, it is more than likely as everyone suggests, a packing error. Good advice about only having a certain window about returning. I have never had to do so, and will probably be the first time. Thanks for everyone's help on this.