PART VI. Striking Errors:

Indents:

Partial Indents

Definition: An “indent” is defined by the hobby as an indentation from an unstruck blank or planchet.  Any other kind of indentation is referred to as a “struck-through error”.  Since most indents only cover part of the coin’s surface, the term “indent” usually refers to a partial indent.  Full indents are, however, referred to as “full indents” or “full uniface strikes”.

Indents can appear on the obverse face or the reverse face, and sometimes both faces simultaneously.  As many as three indents have been recorded on a single coin, reflecting the presence of three extraneous planchets in the striking chamber.

.

The images below show a 2001 Lincoln cent that was struck twice.  The first strike was normal while the second strike was out-of-collar and indented on the obverse face by an unstruck planchet.

Images are courtesy of Heritage Auctions.