Mule Coins Explained: Value, Worth, Examples & More

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Numismatics expert Dean Kinzer explains what mule coins are and what makes them so valuable

Co-authored by Dean Kinzer and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: June 6, 2026 Fact Checked

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About Mule Coins

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Famous Examples

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How They’re Valued

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What They're Worth

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FAQs

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When it comes to error coins, mule coins are arguably the rarest type of coin to grace the market. Some of them have mismatched faces, others have mismatched planchets, and they’re all worth thousands. In this article, we explain everything you need to know about mule coins, including what they are, how they’re valued, and how much they’re worth, all with help from various numismatics experts.

A Brief Explanation of Mule Coins

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An illustration showing famous examples of mule coins.

Numismatics expert Dean Kinzer says that a mule coin is an extremely rare and valuable error coin that is minted with two unmatched dies. Some have the obverse on both sides, others have the same reverse on both sides, and some have mismatched obverses and reverses. Some mule coins also have the wrong planchet.

Section 1 of 5:

What are mule coins?

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Mule coins are coins minted with mismatched dies and planchets. According to Kinzer, a mule coin refers to coins that are minted with two unmatched dies.^{[1]
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Dean Kinzer
Numismatics Expert

Expert Interview} Some mule coins feature the same obverse (front side) on the front and back, while others feature the same reverse (back side). These coins are highly valued due to their errors, as mints typically catch and destroy errors before they go into circulation.
- Numismatics and precious metals expert Max Hockley says that mule coins are some of the most exciting and valuable coin errors, as they feature mispaired denominations and incorrect planchets (which are worth fortunes).^{[2]
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  Max Hockley
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- The name derives from mules, which are the unlikely offspring of a horse and donkey, says Hockley.^{[3]
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  Max Hockley
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- Mule coins aren’t limited to mismatched dies. According to Hockley, some mule coins are on the wrong planchet, such as a dime design on a copper penny planchet.^{[4]
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  - Dies are the metal stamps used to press designs into coins. Planchets are the metal discs that are stamped by dies to create coins.
- Some mule coins have entirely mismatched obverse and reverse sides that were never meant to be paired.
- Mule coins are typically formed by human error, such as accidentally installing the wrong obverse and reverse dies or using the wrong planchet.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Dean Kinzer is a numismatics expert who specializes in identifying ancient coins and authenticating coins.

Max Hockley is a numismatics and precious metals expert with over 15 years of experience collecting coins.

Section 2 of 5:

Famous Mule Coin Examples

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The $1 Sacagawea/50 State Quarter Mule is the most popular example. The $1 Sacagawea/50 State Quarter Mule is the most popular mule, as it’s struck on a $1 Sacagawea planchet while featuring a 50 State Quarter obverse die and a Sacagawea Dollar reverse die. It isn’t the only rare mule coin, though. In fact, there are plenty of popular examples, such as:^{[5]
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- Eagle Reverse Die Washington Quarters: A Washington Quarter that is struck with two 25-cent eagle reverse dies.
  - Worth: $84,000^{[6]
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- Reverse Die Roosevelt Dime: A Roosevelt Dime that is struck with two 10-cent reverse dies.
  - Worth: $26,400^{[7]
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- 1993-D Reverse Die Lincoln Cent: A Lincoln Cent struck with the dime reverse die.
  - Worth: $51,000+^{[8]
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- 1995 Roosevelt Dime/Lincoln Cent: A Roosevelt Dime that is struck with a dime reverse and the obverse of a 1995 Lincoln Cent.
  - Worth: $57,500
- Obverse 2000-P Jefferson Nickel: A 2000-P Jefferson Nickel that is struck with two obverse Jefferson Nickel dies.
  - Worth: $20,520^{[9]
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- 2000 Sacagawea Dollar/50 State Quarter: A 2000 Sacagawea dollar planchet with a Sacagawea reverse die and a 50 State Quarter obverse die.
  - Worth: $100,000+^{[10]
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  - This is the most popular, most valuable mule on the market, with 18-20 known examples.
- 2001-D Lincoln Cent/Roosevelt Dime: A 2001 Lincoln cent obverse that has a Roosevelt Dime reverse.
  - Worth: $148,000
- 2014-D Sacagawea Dollar/Presidential Dollar: A Sacagawea Dollar obverse that has a Presidential Dollar reverse.
  - Worth: $84,000^{[11]
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Section 3 of 5:

How Mule Coins Are Valued

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Hockley explains that mules often have differing visual values based on the obverse and reverse, so their official monetary value is determined by the coin’s planchet.^{[12]
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Max Hockley
Numismatics and Precious Metals Expert

Expert Interview} Take the $1 Sacagawea/50 State Quarter mule, for example. Since it was struck on a $1 Sacagawea planchet, it has a value of $1 rather than 25 cents.^{[13]
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For mule coins in countries like the United Kingdom and Canada, the type of error on the coin helps determine the price. For example, the 2014 Silver Britannia and Year of the Horse error coins have incorrect designs on the edges. Although they’re incorrect, they’re a small error that was produced en masse, which has kept the value low.^{[14]
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The number of mule coins that made it into circulation when they were first produced plays a big role in determining the value. For example, the famous 2000 Sacagawea Dollar/50 State quarter only has 18-20 known examples, a rarity that contributes to its high price.^{[15]
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Section 4 of 5:

How Much Mule Coins Are Worth

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Mule coin prices range from $25,000 to $148,200. A mule coin’s worth depends on its rarity, construction, and how unique it is. For the $1 Sacagawea/50 State Quarter Mule, which is one of the most common U.S. mules, its uniqueness and low number brings the price range up to $100,000 to $125,000.^{[16]
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Research source} The 2001-D Lincoln Cent/Roosevelt Dime also has high prices due to its striking composition, currently being valued at $148,200.^{[17]
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- To determine the value and authenticity of your mule coin, reach out to a professional coin grader, such as Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC).
- Since the price of mule coins change depending on rarity, condition, and uniqueness, some mule coins that haven’t been discovered could be valued over $148,200.
- Due to their massive value, getting your hands on mule coins typically isn’t feasible for the average collector.

Section 5 of 5:

Frequently Asked Questions

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Are there counterfeit mule coins? Yes, counterfeit mules exist, but they’re easily identifiable by professionals. Counterfeiters often attempt to make fake mule coins by melding the obverse and reverse of two coins to make them look like a mule. These are called magician’s coins, and although they’re convincing to new coin collectors, they’re easily identifiable by professionals due to being cut down or glued together.^{[18]
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- Since there are plenty of different types of coins in circulation, there’s a practically countless number of fake mule coins that can be produced.
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Are all mule coins valuable? Not all mule coins are valuable. Most mule coins in the United States fetch a pretty penny due to their rarity and composition, but mule coin prices in other countries fluctuate. Some, like the 2014 Silver Britannia and Year of the Horse coins, feature small errors that were produced in large amounts, inflating the price, but not nearly as much as coins like the $1 Sacagawea/50 State Quarter Mule.^{[19]
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How can you identify a mule coin? To identify a mule coin, it’s best to see a professional coin grader. They have experience identifying errors and coins and will know what to look for. If you can’t get in touch with a coin grader, study the obverse and reverse to determine the error(s). Study the edges, as well. If you notice any glue or planchets of different sizes, you may have a fake on your hands.
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Are all mule coins rare? Hockley says that all authentic mule coins are extraordinarily rare.^{[20]
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Max Hockley
Numismatics and Precious Metals Expert

Expert Interview} Even if some were produced in large amounts, the numbers still pale in comparison to authentic coins, especially in the United States. However, the degree of rarity and, therefore, the value of mule coins can vary significantly.