A brockage error occurs when a previously struck coin fails to eject from the press and remains stuck to one of the dies. When the next blank planchet is fed into position, it is struck by one normal die and by the stuck coin acting as an improvised die on the other side. The result is a coin with a normal design on one side and a mirror-image, incuse (sunken) impression of the design on the other.
Brockages provide direct physical evidence of a production malfunction — a coin literally stuck in the press and striking subsequent coins. The stuck coin is called the "cap" or "die cap," and it progressively deteriorates as it strikes more blanks. Early brockage strikes show sharp, clear mirror images, while later strikes from the same cap show increasingly distorted and spread designs.
Brockage error values depend on the clarity of the mirror image, the denomination, and the coin's overall condition. Clear, well-defined brockages on popular denominations are the most valuable. Full brockages are worth more than partial brockages. Older brockages tend to bring higher prices. Values range from $50 for modern, partial brockages to hundreds or more for early, clear examples.
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Scan NowA struck coin fails to eject from the press and sticks to one of the dies. When the next blank is fed in, it receives a normal strike from one die and a mirror-image strike from the stuck coin.
One side has a normal raised design. The other side shows a sunken (incuse), mirror-reversed version of the same or opposite design. The incuse side has no rim.
Yes. Brockages are among the more valued striking errors. Prices range from $50 for partial or unclear examples to several hundred dollars or more for clear, full brockages on desirable denominations.
It is very rare but not impossible. Brockages are unusual enough that most are caught by quality control, but examples do occasionally enter circulation.