Saddle Strike
Saddle Strike. A double struck coining error; the piece is struck off-center in a multiple head die with images at both sides of the planchet leaving an unstruck portion shaped like a saddle in the center, hence the name. Saddle strikes can only occur with dual die coining or in quad coining presses. In the United States dual die coining was introduced for cent and dime coinage in 1964. There is no way to tell from the struck piece which type of press produced the saddle strike error (dual or quad coining equipment).
Reference: NM19 {1991} Margolis, p 195-200.excerpted with permission from
An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology
For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators
COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON
Roger W. Burdette, Editor