Brockage (BRK)

A brockage is a striking error that produces an incuse (recessed), mirror-image impression of a coin's design on the opposite side of another coin. It occurs when a previously struck coin fails to eject from the press and remains on one of the dies, acting as a die itself when the next planchet is struck. The trapped coin impresses its design into the new planchet, creating a coin with one normal side (struck directly by the functioning die) and one side showing a spread, recessed, backwards impression of the design from the struck coin that remained in the press.

Brockages are closely related to capped die errors but represent an earlier stage — typically the first or second strike after a coin fails to eject. Once the stuck coin begins to wrap around the die and deform significantly, it transitions from producing brockages to producing capped die strikes.

How Does It Happen?

During normal press operation, a planchet is fed between the obverse (hammer) and reverse (anvil) dies, struck under tremendous pressure, and then ejected by the feeder mechanism before the next planchet enters. A brockage occurs when this ejection fails:

1. A struck coin remains in the press: After being struck, a coin fails to eject and stays resting on one of the dies — either the anvil (lower) die or stuck to the hammer (upper) die.
2. A new planchet is fed: The press continues its automatic cycle, feeding a fresh planchet into position.
3. The new planchet is struck: The hammer die descends and strikes the new planchet. One side of the planchet receives a normal impression from the functioning die. The other side is struck against the previously struck coin instead of the other die, receiving an incuse mirror-image impression of that coin's design.
4. First-strike brockage: If the trapped coin is still relatively flat and undeformed (first or second strike after sticking), the incuse impression on the new coin is clear and well-defined. This is a first-strike brockage and is the most desirable form.

The key distinction between a brockage and a capped die strike is the condition of the trapped coin. In a brockage, the stuck coin is still relatively flat, producing a clear incuse impression. As subsequent strikes deform the stuck coin into a cup or thimble shape, it becomes a die cap, and the coins it produces are classified as capped die strikes rather than brockages.

Types of Brockage

First-Strike Brockage

The most desirable type. The trapped coin has only been through one additional strike cycle, so it is still flat and its design is sharp. The brockage impression on the new coin is clear, well-defined, and shows fine detail in mirror-image incuse form. First-strike brockages are identifiable by the sharpness of the incuse design and the relatively normal diameter of the coin.

Mirror Brockage

A mirror brockage occurs when the incuse impression is a true mirror image of the design — text reads backwards, the portrait faces the opposite direction. All brockages are inherently mirror images because the design is transferred through direct contact with the relief surface of the trapped coin, which reverses the orientation.

Obverse Brockage vs. Reverse Brockage

• Obverse brockage: The trapped coin sits on the anvil die with its obverse facing up. The new planchet receives a normal reverse from the hammer die and an incuse mirror-image obverse from the trapped coin. The brockage side shows the obverse design in incuse.
• Reverse brockage: The trapped coin sticks to the hammer die with its reverse facing down. The new planchet receives a normal obverse from the anvil die and an incuse mirror-image reverse from the trapped coin. Reverse brockages are less common because gravity works against a coin staying attached to the upper die.

Counter-Brockage

A counter-brockage occurs when a brockaged coin itself fails to eject and impresses its incuse design onto another planchet. The result is a coin showing a raised (relief) but mirror-image design — the incuse impression has been re-transferred, restoring the relief but maintaining the reversed orientation. Counter-brockages are rare and are identified by their mirror-image design in positive relief rather than incuse.

How to Identify a Brockage

Brockages exhibit several diagnostic features:

• One normal side, one incuse side: The side struck by the functioning die looks normal. The opposite side shows the design recessed into the surface rather than raised above it.
• Mirror-image design: All text on the brockage side reads backwards. Portraits and design elements face the opposite direction from normal. This is the definitive identifier.
• Full or near-full design: Unlike late-stage capped die strikes where the impression is weak and spread, first-strike brockages show a complete design with good detail, just recessed and reversed.
• Slightly expanded diameter: Because the trapped coin does not provide the same confinement as the collar die, brockaged coins are often slightly wider than normal, though less dramatically so than a broadstrike.
• Rim irregularity on the brockage side: The rim on the brockage side is typically weak or uneven, while the normal side retains its standard rim.
• Design alignment: The incuse design on the brockage side aligns with the position of the trapped coin, which may not be perfectly centered or aligned with the functioning die.

Brockage vs. Capped Die Strike

Notable Examples

Lincoln Cent Brockages

Lincoln cents are the most commonly encountered denomination for brockages due to their enormous production volumes. Copper and zinc cent brockages from the 1960s through 2000s appear periodically at auction. First-strike brockages on Lincoln cents showing a sharp, clear incuse Lincoln portrait on one side and a normal Memorial or Shield reverse on the other are popular with error collectors.

State Quarter Brockages

The 50 State Quarters program produced a small number of brockage errors that are highly sought after. A brockage on a state quarter is particularly collectible because it combines error appeal with the program's broad collector base. These are scarce because the Mint's quality control on quarter production is more stringent than on cents.

Silver Coin Brockages

Pre-1965 brockages on silver dimes, quarters, and half dollars are rare and command substantial premiums. The combination of precious metal content, age, and the dramatic visual impact of a clear incuse mirror-image design makes these coins highly desirable. Early 20th-century brockages on Barber and Walking Liberty coinage are particularly prized.

Early U.S. Coinage Brockages

Brockages on early U.S. coins (large cents, half cents, early silver) from the late 18th and early 19th centuries are known but extremely rare. The hand-operated screw presses of that era operated slowly enough that most stuck coins were detected before additional planchets were fed. Surviving examples represent significant mint errors from the earliest years of U.S. coinage.

Collecting Tips

• First-strike is king: The clearest, most detailed brockages command the highest premiums. Look for sharp incuse detail with minimal spreading — this indicates the trapped coin had only been through one additional strike.
• Check the mirror image: Confirm that text reads backwards and design elements are reversed. This is the defining characteristic that separates a genuine brockage from post-mint damage or a fake.
• Authentication matters: Brockages can be faked by pressing two coins together in a vise. Third-party grading from PCGS or NGC provides authentication and significantly enhances resale value and collector confidence.
• Denomination affects value: Higher denominations are scarcer as brockages due to tighter quality control. A brockage on a quarter or half dollar is worth significantly more than one on a cent.
• Look for companion pieces: Occasionally the trapped coin (which may show flattening or distortion from its role as an impromptu die) and the brockage it produced are identified together. Matched pairs are highly prized by advanced collectors.
• Obverse brockages are more common: Because the anvil (lower) die is where coins most often fail to eject, obverse brockages (showing incuse obverse on the brockage side) are more frequently encountered than reverse brockages.

Related Error Types

• Capped Die (CPD) -- Progressive stage of the same phenomenon: trapped coin deforms into a cap over multiple strikes
• Broadstrike (BRD) -- Coin struck without the collar, producing an expanded but centered coin
• Indent (IND) -- Second planchet partially overlaps during striking, creating an unstruck indented area
• Multi-Strike (MST) -- Coin struck multiple times without ejecting from the press
• Off-Center Strike (OFC) -- Planchet mispositioned between dies during striking