Broadstrike (BRD)

A broadstrike is a striking error that occurs when a coin is struck without the restraining collar die in place or with the collar retracted below the striking surface. The collar normally encircles the planchet during striking, confining the metal and forming the coin's edge — reeding on reeded-edge coins and a smooth, defined edge on plain-edge coins. Without the collar's constraint, the planchet metal flows outward under the immense force of the dies, producing a coin that is noticeably larger in diameter than normal and lacks any edge detail.

Broadstrikes are distinct from off-center strikes in one critical way: the planchet is properly centered between the dies. The design is fully struck and centered on the coin, but the metal spreads beyond the normal rim boundary in all directions because nothing contained it during the strike.

How Does It Happen?

The collar die is the third die in the coining process, sitting as a cylindrical sleeve around the lower (anvil) die. During a normal strike, the planchet rests inside the collar, and when the upper (hammer) die descends with 35 to 150 tons of force, the collar contains the expanding metal, forming the rim and edge simultaneously.

Broadstrikes result from collar malfunctions:

• Retracted collar: The collar is designed to rise and fall with each press cycle — rising to contain the planchet during the strike and dropping to allow the struck coin to eject. If the collar fails to rise, or rises too late, the strike occurs without containment.
• Broken collar: A cracked or broken collar die may be removed from the press for replacement. If production continues without the collar (or with an improperly seated replacement), broadstrikes result.
• Stuck collar: The collar mechanism can jam in the lowered position due to metal debris or mechanical wear, leaving the planchet uncontained for the strike.
• Misadjusted collar height: If the collar does not rise to the correct height, it provides partial containment. These partial broadstrikes show normal edge formation on the lower portion of the coin and spreading on the upper portion.

When the dies close on an uncontained planchet, the metal has no lateral restraint. It flows radially outward from the center, producing a coin that is 1 to 3 millimeters (or more) wider than standard diameter. The design impression is complete and centered because the planchet was properly positioned — only the collar was absent.

How to Identify a Broadstrike

Broadstrikes have several diagnostic features that distinguish them from other striking errors:

• Expanded diameter: The coin is measurably larger than normal. A broadstruck Lincoln cent, for example, exceeds its standard 19.0 mm diameter by 1 to 3 mm or more, depending on the severity.
• Complete, centered design: Both obverse and reverse show the full design, properly centered. This is the key distinction from an off-center strike, which shows partial design with a blank crescent.
• Missing or distorted rim: The normal raised rim is absent or dramatically flattened. Without the collar to form the rim, the metal flows freely past where the rim would normally be.
• No edge lettering or reeding: Reeded-edge coins (dimes, quarters, halves, dollars) struck as broadstrikes show a smooth, rounded edge instead of their normal vertical grooves. Edge-lettered coins (Presidential dollars) lack the incuse lettering entirely.
• Slightly thinner profile: Because the metal spread laterally rather than being confined, broadstruck coins are often marginally thinner than their standard-thickness counterparts.
• Smooth, rounded edge: The edge of a broadstrike has a characteristic smooth, slightly rounded profile — the natural result of unrestricted metal flow.

Broadstrike vs. Dryer Coin

A common point of confusion is between a genuine broadstrike and a "dryer coin" — a normal coin that was tumbled in a clothes dryer or rock tumbler. Dryer coins show post-strike damage: scratches, dings, and wear from tumbling. They may have a flattened rim, but the coin's diameter does not exceed the standard specification. A genuine broadstrike has an expanded diameter, smooth original surfaces, and no evidence of post-strike mechanical damage.

Notable Examples

Broadstruck Sacagawea and Presidential Dollars

Broadstrikes on dollar coins are particularly dramatic because of the coin's large diameter and the absence of the edge lettering. Broadstruck Sacagawea dollars (2000-present) and Presidential dollars (2007-2016) show a pronounced size increase and completely smooth edge. These coins are scarce because the Mint's quality control for dollar coins is stringent.

Broadstruck Silver Coins

Pre-1965 broadstrikes on silver dimes, quarters, and half dollars carry premiums for both the error and the precious metal content. The absence of reeding on these coins is immediately obvious, and the expanded diameter gives them a visually distinct appearance. Broadstruck Franklin and Walking Liberty half dollars are particularly sought after.

Broadstruck Gold Coins

Broadstrikes on gold coins of any era are rare and extremely valuable. The Mint exercised the tightest quality control over gold production, and broadstruck gold coins that escaped the Mint represent significant numismatic rarities. When they surface at auction, they command five- and six-figure prices.

Modern Cent and Nickel Broadstrikes

Broadstruck Lincoln cents and Jefferson nickels from recent decades are the most readily available broadstrikes. They are affordable enough for beginning error collectors and provide clear examples of the error type's characteristics. Broadstruck zinc cents (1982-present) are more common than broadstruck copper cents (pre-1982), as copper planchets were produced and handled under tighter controls.

Collecting Tips

• Measure the diameter: The single most important diagnostic for authenticating a broadstrike is an expanded diameter. Carry a caliper or use a coin measuring tool to verify the coin exceeds its standard diameter.
• Reeded-edge coins are more dramatic: Broadstrikes on denominations that normally have reeded edges (dimes, quarters, halves, dollars) are more visually striking and more valuable than broadstrikes on smooth-edge coins (cents, nickels), because the absence of reeding is immediately apparent.
• Full, centered design adds value: The most desirable broadstrikes show a complete, well-centered design with significant diameter expansion. A coin that barely exceeds normal diameter is less impressive than one that is clearly oversized.
• Look for partial broadstrikes: Some coins are struck with the collar partially engaged, producing a coin with normal edge detail on one side and spreading on the other. These partial broadstrikes are collectible varieties that demonstrate the mechanics of the error.
• Grading service attribution: PCGS and NGC both recognize broadstrikes and note them on holder labels. Encapsulation provides authentication, which is important because altered coins and dryer coins are sometimes misrepresented as broadstrikes.
• Check for additional errors: Broadstrikes sometimes occur in combination with other errors — a broadstruck coin on a wrong planchet, or a broadstruck double strike. Multi-error coins carry significant premiums.

Related Error Types

• Off-Center Strike (OFC) -- Planchet mispositioned between dies, producing partial design with a blank area
• Capped Die (CPD) -- Stuck coin on die produces progressively deformed cap over subsequent strikes
• Tilted Collar (TCL) -- Collar is present but angled, creating uneven containment
• Uncentered Broadstrike (UCB) -- Broadstrike where the planchet is also off-center
• Multi-Strike (MST) -- Coin struck multiple times, sometimes in combination with broadstriking