In the days when coins were struck by hand, double-strike errors could happen fairly easily. A coin-maker, not certain that he had struck a good impression, or an apprentice learning the trade would find it hard to resist striking a second time. Usually the resulting image had extra impression-lines or might contain blurred printed letters in its legend.
Especially in imperial Roman times, demands for coinage were sufficiently intense as to foster several classes of double-strike errors. The need to provide regular pay to increasingly far-flung armies meant rapid recirculation of coins collected in taxes. One quick way to produce a steady flow of coinage was to over-strike worn coins or those remaining from a previous imperial regime (occasionally, a new emperor was commemorated on the face of a coin, while the back retained symbols or even the name of his predecessor).
Modern coinage machines still display occasional double-strike errors. Collectors watch especially for double-strike errors in pennies (perhaps their low monetary value means less rigid inspection of results).
While the classic gambler's two-headed flipping coin is a true forgery, double-strikes can be detected in authentic, circulating coinage to this day.
![]() Nice Strike Double Doubling 1994 D Washington Quarter US $39.00
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![]() Romania 500 Lei 1946 Double Strike Error US $14.99
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![]() 1999 D Jefferson 5¢ Great Double Strike US $48.00
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![]() Error Double Center Strike W Deep Dish Effect 2001 US $145.00
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![]() 1999 Flip Over Double Strike Roosevelt Dime US $145.00
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![]() Error Cent 1999 Double Center Strike W Large Indent US $125.00
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![]() Error Nickel 1997 Bu Double Strike 199 On 1st Strike US $59.50
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![]() Error Nickel1997p Double Strike US $29.50
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![]() 1998 Jefferson Nickel Double Stretch Strike Look US $14.99
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![]() Error 20 Double Struck Cent Extended 2nd Strike US $22.50
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![]() 1989 Lincoln Cent Double Struck 2nd Strike 85 O C Ms63 US $65.00
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![]() Scarce 1967 1 Cent Ms 64 Cameo Double Date US $155.90
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![]() 1999 Lincoln Rare Double Strike Must See US $9.99
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![]() 1964 Lincoln Cent Double Strike Error US $99.99
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![]() Double Struck Gaming Token Second Strike 65 Off Center US $.99
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![]() Canada 1970 25 Cents Quarter Dollar Double Strike Error US $1.25
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