Mint Error News Magazine Issue 68: Unique U.S. Proof, Specimen, Pattern & Error Coins
Many numismatists, dealers, and collectors consider unique coins to be the most coveted, prized, and valuable. Many of these unique coins were documented by the United States Mint or one of the Mint branches, while others have no documentation at all but there are logical assumptions as to how and why they were struck.
Some of the most famous American coins were struck under mysterious circumstances, and the story behind each coin’s production adds to their rarity, prestige, and value. Examples of these “mysterious” coins include pieces struck in Proof where only one example is known or a special specimen striking produced using polished dies. Many other unique and unusual coins are patterns, trial strikes, or mint errors.
This issue of Mint Error News showcases some of the unique U.S. coins struck as a Proof, as a specimen strike, as a piece de caprice, or as a deliberately produced mint error rarity.
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Mike Byers is the Publisher and Editor of Mint Error News. Consultants are numismatic experts recognized worldwide, including Heritage Auctions, Dave Camire, Ron Guth, Marc Crane, Andy Lustig, Saul Teichman, Michael Faraone, Steven Contursi, Jeff Ylitalo, John Wang, and Fred Weinberg (retired).
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News ……
This is the only known 1891-O Seated Liberty Dime struck in Proof. Authenticated and certified by NGC as Proof 66, this unique branch mint Proof is a world-class rarity. It is listed in The Official 2024 Mega Red Book of U.S. Coins, Deluxe 9th Edition on page 422 and described as extremely rare.
This dime has been recently reholdered in the latest NGC holder with an enhanced label, better visibility and a higher-security hologram.
The United States Mint in New Orleans has one of the most interesting histories of all the mints. At one point, it was taken over and the United States of America no longer held control of it due to the Civil War. The New Orleans Mint officially became a branch mint on March 3, 1835, and first produced coins in 1838, staying in operation until 1861 when the war started. After the period of Reconstruction, it began operations again in 1879 and continued until 1909.
The New Orleans Mint resumed striking Seated Liberty Dimes in 1891, which had not been struck since 1860. This created a lot of publicity – which included a New Orleans Times-Picayune article published on July 26, 1891. This article reported the resumption of the silver dime production:
“The United States mint is now engaged in coining one million dimes a month. The dime banks and other causes have created a scarcity and Uncle Sam has ordered his money factories to the rescue. There is considerable demand for the dimes. They are the first coins of that smallness the mint has made, and the same presses with which the dollars were coined are used, the ingots being also of similar size. The new dies reached here about the 1st of the month, and the dimes commenced to roll out on the 5th.
The mint has on hand the bullion representing 3,000,000 trade dollars, shipped from the Philadelphia mint about two months ago, and the 863,000 ounces of uncurrent money sent from various sub-treasuries; so that there is no lack of silver to keep the presses going.”
This was the only Proof silver dime struck by the New Orleans Mint in 1891. It was unknown to Walter Breen and was not recorded in his Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Proof Coins (1987). It is widely believed that this Proof striking commemorated the New Orleans Mint in 1891.
This unique proof 1891-O Seated Liberty Dime is not recorded on numismatist Gerry Fortin’s website (seateddimevarieties.com), but he researched this dime and determined that:
“The obverse is unlisted and the reverse is Reverse P. The obverse die is perfect, with no trace of date repunching, no clash marks, and no die cracks. There is no evidence of die lapping on the obverse. Similarly, the reverse die is perfect, also with no repunching of the mintmark, no clash marks, no die cracks, and no evidence of die lapping. The mintmark is close to the bow knot, and tilted sharply to the left.”
A “perfect” and “unlisted” die was used to strike this dime. It is in Gem Proof condition with exceptional eye appeal and original toning. It has a full strike with full detail since it was struck on a large press setup for silver dollar coinage. This piece was most likely struck as a special Proof presentation piece, prior to striking regular dime coinage at New Orleans on Sunday, July 5, which was the first day reported.
There are also two known 1891-O Seated Liberty Quarters, both certified by specimens by NGC, which are obviously special strikes as well. Both of these are valued at and have traded for six figures.
The New Orleans Mint, throughout its history, struck unique Proof and specimen coinage. A few examples are the classic 1838-O Proof Cap Bust Half Dollar, the 1839-O Proof Cap Bust Half Dollar, the 1844-O Proof $5 Eagle and Proof $10 Eagle, the 1895-O Proof Morgan Dollar, and the 1883-O Proof Proof Morgan Dollar.
This unique 1891-O Branch Mint Proof Seated Liberty Dime is in a category by itself; the closest comparison would be the extremely rare 1894-S Branch Mint Proof Barber Dime. Although there is not any official documentation or Mint records pertaining to the striking of this unique Proof dime, not every unique Proof coin struck at the New Orleans branch mint or at any other U.S. Mint has official records or documentation. Although not nearly as famous as the 1894-S Branch Mint Proof Dime, of which 24 were struck, the 1891-O Branch Mint Proof Dime merits comparison to the 1894-S Branch Mint Proof Dime that sells for seven figures.
Many ultra-rare coins struck by the Mint in Philadelphia and in the branch mints are unique or produced in extremely small numbers under clandestine circumstances. A few examples are the 1804 silver dollar and the 1913 Liberty Head nickels. Other examples include the gold Indian Head cents and the unique 1913 Liberty Head nickel struck in gold. Although the 1894-S Barber Dime is documented in U.S. Mint records, there is still controversy surrounding the purpose for striking these. Additionally, many branch mint Proofs and specimens are controversial and lack official U.S. Mint documentation.
This unique 1891-O Branch Mint Seated Liberty Dime combines rarity, quality and history and belongs in an advanced collection of Seated Liberty coinage or unique coinage from the United States Mints.
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News ……
This Proof Bicentennial Eisenhower dollar major Mint error is unique in many ways and has no equals. It is the only known Proof Bicentennial Ike Dollar major Mint error of any kind. It is the only known example to be double struck. There are no off-centers known, no off-metals known, no mated pairs known, and no double denominations known.
Even though non-Bicentennial Proof Ike Dollar major Mint errors are rare, there are examples known with several types of major striking errors.
A “Clover Leaf” set of Ike dollars struck on dimes sold in a Heritage auction for $105,000 USD; two mated pairs have sold for $40K and $75K; off-metals have sold for as high as $25K each; off-centers and double strikes at $25K as well; a unique Bronze Ike Dollar sold for $75K; and a unique Ike Dollar on a struck Bronze Medal sold for $40K in another Heritage auction.
This double struck Proof Bicentennial Ike Dollar is pedigreed to John Devine (“Lonesome John”), a famous pioneer in the field of Mint errors and was just certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC). It was previously unknown to the numismatic community and is just now being offered for sale.
It is in very choice Proof condition and has deep mirrored fields with a Cameo portrait and Liberty Bell. It has high eye appeal since the major devices on the second strike are fully struck. The Ike portrait, Liberty Bell, and moon are fully present – as well as the complete mottoes IN GOD WE TRUST and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
Being the only known Proof Bicentennial Eisenhower Dollar major Mint error of any kind propels it into the rank of unique, amazing, and spectacular numismatic rarities.
It was featured on the cover of Mint Error News Magazine issue 67.
Unique Pair of Martha Washington Five-Cent Test Pieces
Judd #2210 – Mint Cancelled
77% Cu, 20% Ni, 3% Mg – NGC (Mint State)
60.5% Ni, 32.5% Cu, 6.8% Fe – NGC (Proof)
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The U.S. Patterns section on Mint Cancelled (waffled) Martha Washington trial pieces includes a total of six known with the new design. Two are the five-cent test pieces featured in this listing, one of which is the only one known in Proof. Two are five-cent test pieces that were struck in copper, one was featured in a 2018 Coin World article. And finally, two 25¢ test pieces, which includes my original discovery.
Newly redesigned Martha Washington dies were used to strike test pieces at the Philadelphia Mint in 2011 and 2013. These pattern coins were struck to test new metal compositions for the five-cent coin, in the event that Congress authorized a composition change. The rising cost of producing the nickel caused the Treasury some concern, but Congress acts very conservatively when it comes to change to the nation’s coinage.
These two five-cent test pieces with the Martha Washington “nonsense” designs were produced and have been assigned Judd #2210 and are listed on the U.S. Patterns website (uspatterns.com). Editor’s Note: The set is currently listed for sale for $25,000 on Byers’ website.
Unique Pair of Martha Washington Five-Cent Test Pieces
Judd #2210 – Mint Cancelled
77% Cu, 20% Ni, 3% Mg – NGC (Mint State)
60.5% Ni, 32.5% Cu, 6.8% Fe – NGC (Proof)
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The U.S. Patterns section on Mint Cancelled (waffled) Martha Washington trial pieces includes a total of six known with the new design. Two are the five-cent test pieces featured in this listing, one of which is the only one known in Proof. Two are five-cent test pieces that were struck in copper, one was featured in a 2018 Coin World article. And finally, two 25¢ test pieces, which includes my original discovery.
Newly redesigned Martha Washington dies were used to strike test pieces at the Philadelphia Mint in 2011 and 2013. These pattern coins were struck to test new metal compositions for the five-cent coin, in the event that Congress authorized a composition change. The rising cost of producing the nickel caused the Treasury some concern, but Congress acts very conservatively when it comes to change to the nation’s coinage.
These two five-cent test pieces with the Martha Washington “nonsense” designs were produced and have been assigned Judd #2210 and are listed on the U.S. Patterns website (uspatterns.com). Editor’s Note: The set is currently listed for sale for $25,000 on Byers’ website.
Celebrating 20 years of Mint Error News! Volume One and Volume Two are now online. Visit minterrornews.com to read both issues.
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Mint Error News (minterrornews.com) brings the latest mint error news and information to the collector. There are over 1,300 articles, features, discoveries, news stories, and mint-error-related info from the United States and around the world. The magazine’s website has become one of the most popular and informative online resources for mint errors and is read by thousands of dealers and collectors.
The two volumes are available for free download and touch on topics at the core of error collecting. Included are articles on the Top Mint Errors for 2022, a census of Lincoln Dime mule errors, an article on collecting Carson City Morgan dollar errors, informative research on a number of unique error coins from the 19th and 20th centuries, and much, much more.
Mike Byers is the Publisher and Editor of Mint Error News. Consultants are numismatic experts recognized worldwide, including Heritage Auctions, Dave Camire, Ron Guth, Marc Crane, Andy Lustig, Saul Teichman, Michael Faraone, Steven Contursi, Jeff Ylitalo, John Wang, and Fred Weinberg (retired).
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Unique Gold Buffalo Nickel 1913 Type 2 5¢ with Test Cut Struck on a $5 Gold Planchet (8.33 g) NGC AU 53 As amazing as it sounds, this is a 1913 Buffalo Nickel struck on a U.S. $5 Gold planchet. This unique discovery surfaced in 2019 […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… One of the most controversial categories of U.S. coins is Mint Errors. Many dealers and collectors, as well as coin auction houses, buy, sell, and trade many rare, exotic, and unique major mint errors. Obviously, some of these defy logic and were intentionally created and taken out […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… 1972 Eisenhower Dollar Overstruck by 1972 Cent Dies PCGS MS 63 UNIQUE * * * This is a spectacular and unique Mint State Eisenhower dollar that was overstruck twice by 1972 Lincoln cent dies. A struck Eisenhower dollar was intentionally placed underneath two adjacent Lincoln cent die […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… 1973-S Proof BRONZE Eisenhower Dollar Broadstruck on Bronze Planchet PCGS PR 62 RED CAMEO UNIQUE This unique and amazing 1973-S Proof Eisenhower Dollar was broadstruck on a 26g bronze planchet. Since it was struck by Proof Ike Dollar dies, the collar was set up to hold the […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… UNIQUE GOLD QUARTER 1970-S Proof Washington 25¢ Overstruck on 1898 Liberty $5 Gold Coin 8.3 Grams NGC PF 66 This gold Washington quarter is far and beyond the most incredible modern United States Mint error ever to be discovered. The closest six-figure modern U.S. Mint error […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… 2018-P Roosevelt Dime Struck on a Steel Planchet 98% Iron / 1.5 Grams PCGS MS 60 New Discovery This is a fascinating new discovery. United States Roosevelt Dime off-metals are very rare. There are only a few known on copper or foreign aluminum planchets. This 2018 […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… 1973-S Proof Ike Dollar Mated Pair Ike Dollar Struck on a 1¢ Planchet mated with an Ike Dollar Indented by a 1¢ Planchet PCGS PR67 & PR67RB This unique discovery is the only known mated off-metal and indented pair on any United States Proof coin. This […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… 1976-D Bicentennial Ike Dollar Struck on a 40% Silver Planchet from the San Francisco Mint (Should be on a Clad Planchet) PCGS MS 64 One of Only Two Known This is an amazing and extremely rare Eisenhower Dollar off-metal. Mint State Bicentennial Eisenhower Dollars were struck […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Ike Dollar Struck on 1¢ Planchet (3.14g) NGC PF 66 RED This is an amazing Proof Ike Dollar struck on a cent planchet that is perfectly centered. The eye appeal is amazing since it shows the full portrait on the obverse, the eagle on the reverse, […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… 1906-D $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle Broadstruck (Out of the Collar) NGC AU 58 UNIQUE This is the only known United States $20 Gold Piece that was broadstruck out of the collar. It expanded in size and has a plain edge. There are five to seven […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… 1973-S Eisenhower Dollar “Blue Ike” Struck on a Clad Planchet 22.3 grams (Should be on a 40% Silver Planchet) PCGS AU 58 One of Only Two Known This is an amazing and extremely rare Eisenhower Dollar off-metal. Mint State Eisenhower Dollars struck in silver came in […]
To read the latest issue, go to minterrornews.com By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Mint Error News (minterrornews.com) brings the latest mint error news and information to the collector. There are over 1,300 articles, features, discoveries, news stories, and mint-error-related info from the United States and around the World. Mint Error News […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This unique Proof 1971-S Eisenhower Dollar overstruck on a San Francisco Assay Office medal is featured in the Platinum Session of the August 2022 Heritage US Coins Signature Auction #1348. From the Heritage Auction listing: 1971-S $1 Eisenhower Dollar — Overstruck on a San Francisco Assay Office […]
By Mike Byers …… A unique gold Buffalo Nickel has been sold by Mike Byers Inc for $400,000 USD to the JDG Trust, owner of several #1 ranked PCGS registry sets of Buffalo Nickels. Below are images and the original Mint Error News article on this unique item. As amazing as it sounds, this is […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… 1942-S Wartime Lincoln Cent Struck on a Bronze Planchet NGC MS 62 Brown Unique Discovery Coin This is a fascinating 1942-S Lincoln cent that was struck on a 2.5-gram bronze planchet with a composition of 95% copper, 4% zinc, and 1% tin. After examining this unique […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… 1741 L V Peru Gold 8 Escudos Triple Struck Flipover NGC MS 62 Unique This 1741 Peru Gold 8 Escudos is a very rare South American gold coin. It is a spectacular triple struck flipover creating a dramatic numismatic rarity. It is tied for finest known, […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Unique Gold Buffalo Nickel 1913 Type 2 5¢ with Test Cut Struck on a $5 Gold Planchet (8.33 g) NGC AU 53 As amazing as it sounds, this is a 1913 Buffalo Nickel struck on a U.S. $5 Gold planchet. This unique discovery surfaced in 2019 […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Unique Gold Buffalo Nickel 1913 Type 2 5¢ with Test Cut Struck on a $5 Gold Planchet (8.33 g) NGC AU 53 As amazing as it sounds, this is a 1913 Buffalo Nickel struck on a U.S. $5 Gold planchet. This unique discovery surfaced in […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Proof 197X-S Ike Dollar Double Struck on 2 Gram Aluminum Shell Gas Token PCGS PR 64 1 of 3 Known This is an amazing and spectacular major mint error Proof coin. It is a Proof Eisenhower dollar from the San Francisco Mint that is double struck […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Unique 1873 Closed 3 $5 Experimental Finish NGC SP 64 NGC has certified this unique 1873 Closed 3 Five Dollar gold piece as a Specimen strike. It is the only such piece certified by either PCGS or NGC. It has the visual characteristics of a highly contrasted […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Here is a Selection of U.S. Proof Error Coins that are featured in the upcoming August 2021 ANA World’s Fair Of Money US Coins Signature Auction #1333. Images Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com 1972-S Ike Dollar on a Cent Planchet Ike Dollar on a Dime Planchet PR67 […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Although there are U.S. coins that are two-headed (struck by two obverse dies), two-tailed (struck by two reverse dies) and muled (struck by two different denominations), this is a unique mated two-headed Lincoln cent pair struck by two U.S. cent obverse dies. The United States Mint in […]
3.6 Grams (64% Silver/36% Copper) Ex: Fred Weinberg By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is a world-class 1943 Lincoln cent major mint error. It’s many times rarer than the 1943 copper cent. The United States Mint has produced coins for foreign governments at various times during its history. During World War […]
“Clover Leaf” Eisenhower Dollar Struck on Dime Planchets NGC PR 68 Ultra Cameo By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… From the Heritage Auction listing for this one-of-a-kind Ike dollar: Undated Three-Piece “Clover Leaf” Eisenhower Dollar — Struck on Clad Dime Planchets — PR68 Ultra Cameo NGC. The word unique is used perhaps […]
1970-S Proof Washington Quarter Struck on a Silver Barber Quarter NGC PF 65 One of Two Known By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Proof coins are struck by technicians who hand feed the blanks into special presses. They are produced, examined, and packaged using extreme quality control. It is very unusual to […]
Official Royal Mint Plaster for the Great Britain 1983 One Pound Official Adopted Design by Eric Sewell (Former Chief Engraver of the Royal Mint) Approved by Queen Elizabeth II Possibly Unique One Pound Coin Plaster by Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is a fascinating official Royal Mint plaster that was designed […]
New Martha Washington Die Design (2011-2013) U.S. Quarter Test Strike Judd #2225 – Mint Cancelled NGC Brilliant Uncirculated Unique in Private Hands By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Newly redesigned Martha Washington dies were used to strike test pieces at the United States Mint in 2011 and 2012. This unique discovery 2012 […]
Ike Dollar Struck on a 1¢ Planchet mated with an Ike Dollar Struck on a 10¢ Planchet NGC Proof 67 AMAZING UNIQUE DISCOVERY By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This amazing unique discovery is the only known off-metal mated pair on any U.S. Proof coinage that combines two different off-metals. This mated […]
Only Known Proof U.S. Kennedy Half Dollar Struck on Any U.S. Coin Double Denomination NGC PF 67 Cameo UNIQUE DISCOVERY COIN By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This newly discovered and certified Proof Kennedy Half Dollar on a struck Washington Quarter is the only known Kennedy Half Double Denomination on any Proof […]
King George V (1911-1936) This unique 1970-S Proof Quarter from the United States was overstruck on a Canadian Quarter that circulated during the reign of King George V from 1911-1936. It was authenticated and certified by NGC as PR64. This was most likely from the group of San Francisco Proof Errors that was auctioned by […]
King George V (1911-1936) Mint Error This unique 1970-S Proof Quarter mint error from the United States was overstruck on a Canadian Quarter that circulated during the reign of King George V from 1911-1936. It was authenticated and certified by NGC as PR64. This was most likely from the group of San Francisco Proof Mint […]
Gilt Uniface Reverse Die Trial NGC Proof 65 Ultra Cameo UNIQUE & UNRECORDED By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is a unique and unrecorded Proof gilt reverse pattern for the 1831 Great Britain William IV Half Sovereign. The regular issue was struck in Proof-only and is rare. This reverse pattern is […]
Proof 1776-1976 S Bicentennial Quarter Double Struck on Struck Roosevelt Dime DOUBLE DENOMINATION PCGS PR 67 CAMEO Unique Discovery Coin By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is the only known Proof Bicentennial Quarter double struck over a struck dime. It is also the only known double struck U.S. Proof coin overstruck […]
This Unique 1977 Aluminum Cent is either an intentionally made Mint Error on a leftover aluminum planchet from 1974-1975 or a pattern struck in aluminum By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This unique 1977 Aluminum Cent, struck on an aluminum planchet with a weight of 1.04 grams, was discovered and certified […]
1932G Germany 5 Mark Reverse Trial Strike in Silver Johann Goethe NGC PF 62 UNIQUE & UNLISTED By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is a unique and unlisted Germany 5 Mark reverse trial strike. It is the adopted design in silver. It is uniface since only the reverse die was used […]
1919 Buffalo Nickel Off-Metal Struck on Argentina 10 Centavos Planchet NGC MS 62 Extremely Rare – 3 Known By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… The United States Mint struck coins for Argentina in 1919 and 1920. This amazing fully lustrous Buffalo Nickel struck on an Argentina 10 Centavos planchet was just authenticated […]
1863 Round Liberty Gold 25¢ California Fractional Gold BG-820 Overstruck on 1860/50 BG-819 NGC MS 61 UNIQUE DISCOVERY COIN By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is a unique 1863 California Fractional Gold 25¢ overstruck on a previously struck 1860/50 Gold 25¢. In fact, it is the only known overstruck California Fractional […]
Also Features a 70% Reverse Indent by a QUARTER Planchet By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… All Ike dollar off-metals are highly prized by serious collectors of major U.S. Mint Errors and collectors of Ike dollars. The only two that are occasionally available are the Ike dollar struck on a Philippine 1 […]
Struck in Gilt Copper – Uniface – UNIQUE & UNLISTED NEW DISCOVERY This is a unique and spectacular set of obverse and reverse die trials for Spain’s 1856 Proof gold 100 Reales. They combine rarity (unique), history (struck to test the dies for the newly designed 100 Reales), and mystique (Queen Isabella II approved […]
The Only 1974 Aluminum Cent That Can Be Privately Owned The 1974 aluminum cent is world famous. Proposed in 1973 and struck in 1974, it was never released into circulation. The United States Mint distributed several to members of Congress, but they were recalled by Mint Director Mary Brooks and destroyed. One example struck […]
Recently Surfaced After 200 Years By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… W&R-182 Copper NGC MS62BN Although this unique pattern Guinea/Sovereign is listed in the Wilson and Rasmussen reference book as W&R-182 Copper, it is not photographed in this reference book because the researchers and authors could not verify the existence of this […]
Circa 1806 German States Bavaria King Maximilian I Joseph (1806-1825) Historic Gold Service Medal by Losch 6 Ducats 20.96 grams 36mm Unlisted in Gold Wittelsbach #2478 (In Silver) By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… PCGS Specimen 65 High-Relief Cameo Proof-Like FINEST KNOWN & EXTREMELY RARE This is an amazing world-class numismatic treasure, […]
1861 German States Bavaria Medal Prince Adalbert (Brother of King Maximilian II) Gold Off Metal Strike “First Test” (Trial Strike) Hand Engraving from the Bavarian Mint Presented to the House of Wittelsbach UNLISTED IN GOLD AND UNIQUE 54.43 grams 42.59 mm Hauser-536 (in Tin & Bronze) PCGS SPECIMEN 62 By Mike Byers for Mint Error […]
Double Denomination & Dual Date By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is the only known Proof Bicentennial quarter struck over a Roosevelt dime. In addition, it is a “dual date” since the dime is dated 1967, an amazing nine years apart! 1976 Proof Bicentennial quarters were struck at the San Francisco […]
Double Struck, One of Three Known (on Shell Gas Tokens) By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is an amazing and spectacular Proof major mint error. It is a 1970 Kennedy half dollar from the San Francisco Mint that is double struck on an aluminum Shell Gas token. In 1969 and 1970, […]
Unique Dual Mint Mark Discovery By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Upon closer examination of the understrike on the reverse of the quarter, Jon Sullivan of Sullivan Numismatics discovered and successfully matched up the “D” mint mark. The copper Lincoln cent was originally STRUCK IN DENVER prior to being overstruck by Proof […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Patterns in the Standard Silver series, inscribed on each coin STANDARD SILVER, were produced in the dime, quarter dollar and half dollar denominations. The dies were engraved by William Barber with one common reverse die. They were struck in silver, copper, aluminum and brass. This discovery coin […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is an incredible and unique 1842 Argentina 8 Escudos struck in silver. It is an obverse die trial with a uniface reverse. NGC authenticated and certified it AU-58. It is unlisted in Krause’s Standard Catalog of World Coins and is referenced to CJ-10.2. It is the […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is one of the most spectacular Proof Ike dollar mint errors of all time. Not only is it a spectacular double struck, but it is also struck on a clad half dollar planchet. There are two Proof Ike dollars known that were double struck on clad […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is a unique and spectacular mint error, a proof pattern off-metal. It was struck on a copper nickel planchet instead of a silver planchet. It is composed of 76% Cu and 24% Ni, which is copper-nickel. It weighs .99 grams. PCGS has certified the coin as […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is the only known Canadian $100 platinum striking of any design or series. This is one of the most spectacular coins ever released by the Royal Canadian Mint. It is certified by PCGS as an “Unofficial Platinum Strike Uniface.” Lab analysis determined that the metal composition […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is the only known obverse die cap struck in gold from any country. It was certified and authenticated by NGC. It is an English half sovereign dated 1824 of King George IV. This happens to be an extremely rare date in the English half sovereign series […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is a unique historical and unbelievable set of all three Third Reich proof silver issues in matte proof of the Hindenburg German coins. It has been authenticated and certified by PCGS. The 1937A silver 2 Mark is unique in matte proof. It is unrecorded in all […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Major mint errors on U.S. gold coins are extremely rare. And of these, there are only a few known that are double or triple struck. One phenomenal example is this double stuck 1904 $20 rotated 180 degrees in the collar. Considerable detail remains from the initial strike […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This proof Half Sovereign off-metal mule pattern encompasses a combination of history, rarity, and condition. This piece is the ONLY known certified example and the ONLY known piece as well. The obverse was struck from the regular obverse die intended for the Sixpence issue. The reverse was […]
(1887) Great Britain Queen Victoria Lauer Pattern in Gold Uniface Obverse Die Trial Ex. Murdoch Collection (1904) – UNIQUE By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Several patterns struck in gold with new designs were submitted in 1887 for the jubilee of Queen Victoria. Her young head portrait had been used for 50 years […]
1845 Great Britain Crown Young Head Silver Die Trial Piedfort Pattern Uniface Obverse NGC MS 65 – UNIQUE, UNLISTED & UNRECORDED By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… NGC recently authenticated and certified this unique Great Britain Silver Crown Die Trial Piedfort Pattern. It was struck in 1845 with the “Young Head” portrait that […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This unique, historical and museum-quality set of gold Coronation Die Trial Strikes was just authenticated and certified by PCGS. It is amazing that, after 500 years, these gold die trials have remained together, intact and preserved in gem Mint State condition. They are five or 10 Ducat […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is the only known 1911 Great Britain 5 Pound Die Trial. It was struck on March 14, 1911, on an oversized lead planchet with a width of 44.32 mm and is 5.69 mm thick. It is a uniface die trial of the finished obverse die used […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is the only known full-size feeder finger for any U.S. denomination that has not been struck by coin dies. There are U.S. feeder fingers known that were struck by a private mint producing tokens and metals, that used the feeder fingers as the blank planchets. In […]
United States 1922 Peace Dollar Flip-Over Double Strike in Collar, PCGS AU58 By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Major mint errors in the U.S. Peace Dollar series are very rare. There are only a few known off-centers, broad strikes and double strikes. Thus, mint errors are many times rarer than Morgan Dollar mint […]
By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… PCGS has certified an unusual pair of gold error coin struck by the Royal Canadian Mint. The Royal Canadian Mint issued the $100 National Park gold commemorative coin program in 1985. The coin’s obverse depicts Queen Elizabeth II, while the reverse depicts a Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep. What […]
This recent discovery was previously unknown to the numismatic community Authenticated and certified by NGC (and approved by CAC), this 1852 gold dollar pattern (Judd 138) is the only known U.S. pattern or coin that was gold plated (gilt) by the United States Mint and then overstruck. It was originally a silver Seated Liberty dime […]
This incredible Mexico 1916 Oaxaca 60 Pesos Gold Error Coin was struck on a U.S. $10 Liberty. The 1916 Gold 60 Pesos were struck in Oaxaca, Mexico. Oaxaca is one of the southern states in Mexico. The coins bear the portrait of Benito Juarez. These coins were struck by a Provisional Government during the revolution. […]
1904 Design Overstruck on 1903 Design By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… This is a unique, spectacular and dramatic Belgium Franc struck in GOLD. Below are examples of the 1903 obverse (French text) and the 1904 obverse (Dutch text), both struck in silver: It is an obverse die trial to test the die […]
United States 1922 Peace Dollar Flip-Over Double Strike in Collar, PCGS AU58 By Mike Byers for Mint Error News …… Major mint errors in the U.S. Peace Dollar series are very rare. There are only a few known off-centers, broad strikes and double strikes. Peace Dollar mint errors are many times rarer than Morgan Dollar […]
Royal Canadian Mint – 1992 Spirit of the Generations $15 Proof struck in Gold In the latest issue of MintErrorNews, one of the rarest, most expensive and spectacular Canadian coins was highlighted on the cover. This special striking in gold of a proof commemorative coin was unknown to the numismatic community and was just certified […]