The Wyoming state quarter, released in 2007 as part of the U.S. Mintās 50 State Quarters Program, features a bucking horse and rider based on the stateās iconic āCowboy Stateā imagery. Certified strike abnormalities and die-related errors remain popular among modern error coin specialists, especially the 2007-P Wyoming Quarter “Double Die Reverse.”
Double Die – 2007-P Wyoming Quarter “Double Die Reverse”
Some Wyoming quarters display minor machine doubling or signs of die deterioration caused by worn production dies.
Physical Diagnostics
- Flat Secondary Images: Machine doubling often appears as flat, shelf-like doubling along lettering or design edges.
- Soft or Thickened Details: Die deterioration may create blurry or swollen-looking features.
- Inconsistent Appearance: Unlike true doubled dies, machine doubling usually lacks clear separation and appears uneven.
Frequency
Minor machine doubling and die deterioration can occasionally be found on Wyoming quarters, although strong doubled-die varieties are not commonly documented for the issue.
Off-Center Strike Errors
Off-center strikes occur when the planchet is improperly positioned during the striking process. This causes only part of the design to transfer onto the coin while leaving a blank curved section.
Physical Diagnostics
- Blank Curved Area: A smooth, unstruck crescent appears along the edge of the coin.
- Missing Design Portions: Parts of the lettering, date, or bucking horse design may be absent.
- Sharp Remaining Strike: The visible design elements usually remain fully detailed.
Frequency
Examples showing wider displacement while still showing the full date are generally the most desirable to collectors.
Missing Clad Layer Errors
Some Wyoming quarters have been discovered missing one of their outer clad layers, exposing the copper core beneath the surface.
Physical Diagnostics
- Copper-Colored Surface: One side of the coin may display a reddish copper appearance instead of the normal silver-gray color.
- Lower-Than-Normal Weight: Missing-clad-layer coins weigh less than standard quarters.
- Visible Edge Contrast: The edge may show a noticeable transition between the clad layer and exposed copper core.
- Strong Design Detail: Despite the missing outer layer, the coinās design often remains sharply struck.
Frequency
These errors are considered scarce and remain popular with collectors of modern mint mistakes.
Die Cracks and Retained Die Breaks ā 2007-P Wyoming Quarter āPooping Horseā
Another well-known error is the āPooping Horseā Wyoming state quarter. Die cracks develop when the coin dies begin fracturing from repeated use during production. More advanced die damage can lead to retained die breaks near the rim. The āPooping Horseā was caused by a die break or die chip near the horse’s rear, creating a blob of excess metal.
Physical Diagnostics
- Raised Lines: Die cracks appear as thin raised lines extending across the coinās surface.
- Connected Features: Genuine cracks typically continue uninterrupted through lettering or devices.
- Raised Rim Areas: Retained die breaks may form thick raised sections connected to the rim.
Frequency
Minor die cracks have been documented on Wyoming quarters from circulation and certified examples. More substantial retained die breaks appear less frequently in public auction archives and certified examples.
Struck-Through Errors
Struck-through errors happen when grease, debris, or other foreign material becomes trapped between the die and planchet during striking. This prevents portions of the design from fully transferring.
Physical Diagnostics
- Weak or Missing Design Areas: Parts of the coin may appear faint, smooth, or absent.
- Irregular Depressions: The affected area often looks uneven or recessed.
- Smooth Surfaces: Genuine struck-through errors lack the gouges or scratches associated with post-mint damage.
Frequency
Examples with more missing details tend to attract high collector interest.
Wrong Planchet Errors
In rare cases, Wyoming quarter dies struck planchets intended for other denominations or foreign coins.
Physical Diagnostics
- Abnormal Weight: The coin weighs noticeably more or less than a standard quarter.
- Improper Diameter: The coin may appear too small or too large.
- Unusual Coloration: Wrong-planchet examples may display bronze, gold, or pale silver coloration.
- Incomplete Design Transfer: Incorrectly sized planchets often prevent the full design from striking properly.
Frequency
Wrong-planchet Wyoming quarters are extremely rare and highly collectible.
Error Quarter Market Value
Wyoming quarter error values depend on several factors, including rarity, condition, eye appeal, and the severity of the mint error. Certified examples with visual error characteristics generally command the strongest premiums. Off-center strikes, missing-clad-layer coins, and authenticated wrong-planchet errors are usually among the most valuable Wyoming quarter mistakes.
How to Identify Authentic Wyoming Quarter Errors
Collectors should carefully examine Wyoming quarters under magnification while paying close attention to lettering, rims, and surface texture. Genuine mint errors display smooth and consistent characteristics created during the striking process rather than damage caused after the coin entered circulation.
A precision digital scale is especially useful for identifying potential errors in planchet and clad layers. Comparing suspicious coins to certified examples from grading companies such as PCGS and NGC can also help confirm authenticity.
The Wyoming quarter remains a popular modern issue among collectors of the 50 State Quarters Program because of its distinctive reverse design and the variety of documented strike-related mistakes associated with the coin. While many examples remain affordable, certified errors continue to generate strong collector demand.
