What Is Considered Off Centered On A Penny?

if the obverse has a normal appearance, then it is a MAD (MisAligned Die)

but on this coin, no additional value added as the devices have not 'fallen' off the edge.

If the obverse has normal looking rim, you have something called a misaligned die. To the degree you are seeing it here, it's just within the scope of normal QC tolerance and not really an error. As you can tell by having found a few, they are not exactly rare. You can keep it for your own collection as a learning experience, but might be tough to find more than face value for it.

I see the misaligned dies such as this posted all the time on the ebay by someone hoping to make a few cents on the deal, but I don't think many of them sell.

Every once in a while, someone comes across a specimen where the off side is like 5% off, and that could bring a little premium (maybe cover's lunch?). But what you have shown is not to that degree or even close.

As to what is considered an "off-center", the mis-strike would be the same on both sides. Meaning, the dies were aligned correctly but the planchet just didn't load properly, so the strike wasn't centered and complete.

Aside from being a misaligned die or an off center strike which this does not appear to be remotely close to on your coin, here is a copy and pasted excerpt from Numismatic Expert Condor101 explaining why some coin rims are barely visible, hardly noticeable or non-existent. I had this question myself awhile back until I came upon this explanation. Please keep in mind that a MAD or an off-center strike will exhibit very distinct qualities. In my opinion, a lot of the newer shield cents exhibit what you are seeing on your coin.

Copy and pasted quote, with all rights, from Condor101:
Striking issue. The rims are about the highest relief points of the coin and due to the very slight curvature of the die faces they are also the last areas that come into contact with the dies, they are the last areas to fill. So if the press is running a bit too fast, or the dies are spaced just slightly further apart than they should be the result will be weak or no rims. Rims can be weak from a fast running press because it takes a certain amount of time for the metal to cold flow into the devices and if the press is running too fast the pressure in not applied to the planchet long enough for that flow to occur completely.

Eric I put here the link with the nice definition for what you have and also of what it is off-center.

http://www.error-ref.com/broadstrikes/

Silver, yes I do' it with purpose, because on same page at error-ref mention also the off-center. I considered that this article can clarified more Eric. Him mention of missing rim, but all design. Easy to confound the both. I do not considered that for now it is the time for him to go on % of the off centers. I can scan this from my error penny catalog and posted.

Agree with you 100%. When I do like this, probably come from a default of years of teaching also. Always I give to my residents references which give the wright definition and explanation and also the apparently same "things" but different. I think that is the best way. Learning is to have an support and a direction where to go and then to studies yourself. I do 'it because in fact collecting is base on 85% self studies and resource. if you tell me not to do anymore this way, I will do 'it. I do not want somebody to be confuse.

Thanks, look at the films I put from coinnews.net, I feel they are very very educative. Thanks, appreciate.

Silvio