OverStrikes

and

Errors on Overstrikes

By Bill Snyder

OverStrikes (Page 1 of 2)

From time to time, new coin designs were simply struck over existing coins. Though sometimes accidental, this re-use of older coins was often done as a matter of public policy.

Most commonly, this was done:

1.To show the new Ruler (i.e. - make the people forget the former Ruler)

2. To revalue the money.

3. To make use of coins that had previously been improperly struck.

4. To supplement the supply of available planchets by using older coins and/or tokens.

Overstriking of copper coins was common in the 1700's, particularly in Russia. There, every available copper was restruck every time a new Monarch took power. Also, it was very common for the Russians to revalue their currency. A 5 Kopeks piece (1730) is shown in the first picture. The second picture shows an OverStruck 5 Kopek that has become a 1 Kopek (1756). (Note the underlying "cross" on its reverse, which is identical to the "cross" on the obverse of the top coin.

Russian 1730 Five Kopeks

Overstruck Russian 1756 One Kopek

(Note the “Cross” of the 1730 piece under the reverse 1756 “Eagle in Cloud” design)

One Overstrike that is frequently seen is the French One Decime (10 Centimes) which was produced in quantity not long after the French Revolution. This coin was often struck over 2 Decime pieces and parts of the older design frequently can be seen (rotated, flipped, or however the coin entered the Coining Chamber the 2nd time). Since both designs (the 1 and the 2 Decimes designs) featured the same woman on the obverse, the OverStrikes often show the woman on two different parts of the coin.

A French 1 Decimes struck over an older 2 Decimes

(Please note that the lady's head from the older coin appears in the center of the reverse of the newer one, giving the appearance of a Flip Double Strike)

The real point of this discussion is to discuss and show OverStruck Errors. For that, please go to the next page.