Filled die Coin Errors
What is a filled die error?
A filled die error happens when grease, dirt or metal flakes accumulate in recessed areas of a die, blocking metal from filling those areas during the strike. The result: missing letters, missing dates, or missing parts of the design. Filled-die errors are common but usually low-value; the famous exception is the 1922 "no-D" Lincoln cent in the US, with no exact UK equivalent of comparable value.
How to spot one
- Look for missing letters, numbers or design elements that should be present.
- The missing area appears flat, not damaged — the metal where the design should be is smooth.
- Compare to a normal example to identify exactly which elements are absent.
- Filled dates and filled mintmarks are the most collectable variants.
Authentication
Distinguish filled die from post-mint wear. Wear shows polished, smoothed high points across the entire coin. Filled die has sharp design everywhere except the affected area.
Famous UK examples
Several known years where the date is partially or fully filled.
Common on heavily-used dies; limited collector premium.
Key-date UK coins worth examining
Errors on key-date coins compound rarity — the host coin is already scarce, and the error multiplies the value. Browse the rarest UK coins in our catalogue: