1820 Dime Error List with Pictures
An exceptionally preserved 1820 “Office Boy” dime sold for $152,750 in 2014. Its awkward back-side lettering gives collectors several small clues to look for.
This 1820 dime error has an estimated whole-coin range of $250–$5,000 for worn through lower-grade unworn examples. The record belongs to a much finer coin.
Read on to see how the misplaced and repeated letters identify the variety, and why condition changes its price so much.
1820 Capped Bust Dime Office Boy Reverse (Auction Record $152,750)
Look between the D of UNITED and the S of STATES. A small extra letter fragment appears there, alongside crowded and partly repeated letters around the back of the coin.
These marks were already on the die, the steel tool that stamps the design. They passed onto each dime made with that tool.
Collectors call this JR-2 variety the “Office Boy” reverse because its lettering looks poorly arranged. The nickname does not identify a known employee.
A scratch or closely spaced words alone cannot establish the variety; several of its unusual letter shapes should match.
Estimated Value
Estimated whole-coin prices run from $250–$5,000 for worn through lower-grade unworn examples. The PCGS sale records include an MS64 at $4,600 in 2011.
An exceptional MS67 sold for $152,750 in August 2014. Those grades describe unworn coins, with MS67 much better preserved.
Another highly graded example brought $27,025 in 2015. These are prices for complete coins, so the record is not a fixed bonus for the unusual letters.
How to Identify
Turn the dime over and use a 10× magnifier at the gap between UNITED and STATES. Look for the extra fragment between D and S before following the surrounding letters.
Compare several letters with a confirmed JR-2 photograph. Raised remnants should appear in the same places; a random scratch cuts down into the surface instead.
Check how the letter tops and bases crowd together. One odd-looking letter is less persuasive than several matching features around the wording.
Use a scale and calipers to compare the coin with about 2.70 grams and 19 mm, allowing for wear. Inspect the grooves around the edge for later damage.
Start the identification by matching the extra fragment between D and S, then check the neighboring repeated letters.
Conclusion
The Office Boy variety is best recognized through several matching letter shapes, beginning between UNITED and STATES. Its estimated $250–$5,000 whole-coin range covers worn through lower-grade unworn examples, while the exceptional 2014 sale reached $152,750.
Preserve the surfaces and compare the lettering before judging the price. Wear, cleaning, and overall condition still matter, even when the unusual back-side design is clear.