2009 Penny Unknown Error?

Here is a more side view of the coin. Sorry for the LQ pictures, they are from my phone.

What exactly is a rail road rim error and how do I tell? And what exactly would the price be? Sorry, I am an amateur coin collector for sure! I can try and post better quality pictures if it helps.

Hmmm...no idea. I'll be watching this thread to see what Mike Diamond has to say.

Yes definitely a keeper.I've seen very few errors for 2009

It can be hard to place a value on errors because you have to find somebody who's interested in it. However, errors like this seem to be scarce in recent years. The fact that it's a 2009 may also add to the interest, and your coin looks like an attractive example from the pictures. Recent completed ebay auctions suggest something around $10-15 (these were generally older coins.)

There are a couple different kinds of partial collar errors. The most common is a tilted partial collar. That's where the coin is a bit slightly off center or something while struck and when the collar comes up, it's cockeyed. The rim of the coin will be properly formed on one side, but not the other, and there will be a sorta diagonal transition between. Here's a picture of the edge of a tilted partial collar dime I found.



Another kind is where the collar comes up only part way, but pretty much is even around the whole coin. The result is a coin that's sorta shaped like a train wheel, hence "railroad rim". This is much less common and more valuable. Yours looks like this type. Here's a picture of a nickel I found that is a railroad rim to compare to your coin.

I suspect this coin was altered outside the Mint. Since the middle of 2005, all business strike cents have been struck with an inverted die setup (reverse die as hammer die). Therefore a genuine partial collar error should show the flange extending from the reverse face, not the obverse face.

Of course, there's always a chance the Mint pulled an old Bliss press out of retirement, but why they should have done so is unclear.

In the end, this coin would require close study.

Here are a little better pictures that might help with determining wether or not it happened in them mint or post. (at least I hope these help )

It doesn't look post mint though, because on the so called "partial collar" (flattened piece) there is almost a very miniscule waffle pattern that I cannot pick up on camera. Although what do I know.. I am a total amateur!
Thanks for the feedback guys.

Here are the pictures!