DO YOU HAVE COIN DIES AND THEIR COAs?
Pete2226
Posts: 48 ✭✭✭
I have been working on recording specifications of retired coin dies in a spreadsheet. These specifications are obtained from Certificates of Authenticity provided by the mint along with coin dies sold to the public.
That spreadsheet may be seen by clicking on the .pdf link in my article in CoinWeek, February 3, 2026, At this link:
https://coinweek.com/certificates-of-authenticity-for-retired-u-s-mint-dies-what-the-records-reveal/
I would be interested in seeing any COAs anyone may have so that I can keep a copy and add that information to this spreadsheet. (A photo example of this kind of COA is in the article).
If your dies show interesting marks that were not obliterated by being cancelled, can you show me images of them also?
I am also interested in photos of die serial numbers engraved onto the dies.
Comments
I have a three dies, but no COAs. They didn’t come with the pieces when I bought them.
When I was a dealer, in worked with another dealer who had a significant hoard of 1968-S Proof coin dies. They were in a box with no COAs. All of the dies had varying traces of the design elements on them.
I would like to get my hands on some canceled dies with design elements remaining. I should rather like to produce novelty (not counterfeit, as the dies are clearly cancelled) restrikes.
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@dcarr
I wonder if you could obtain this type of info through a FOIA request? I imagine that the mint has the info somewhere and probably has it for all coinage dies, not just the ones for which they sold the defaced dies.
@DesertCoin see the links @Mitchel posted. So far from what I have seen, the Olympic Dies show the most design left. Of course they only come on the secondary market occasionally and are at a premium compared to circulation coin dies. On rare occasion, I will see a circulation die with a tiny bit of design or evidence of why it was retired that remains.
@MedalCollector I have looked at that possibility and have seen FOIA as more daunting a task than I have been willing to attempt! In addition, and perhaps unrelated, I have found that my mint inquires have been ignored for the last year or so ► I don't know if they blocked me because they didn't like my questions or have lost too many personnel, or what the issue is. Over the years that source has been most helpful and given me some excellent information!
Thanks for the suggestion! I would certainly welcome any efforts by you or anyone to secure such information through the FOIA channel!
I bought the 2004p Keel boat set with paperwork. On a somewhat related note, I'm looking at a set of shim papers from a 1972 Eisenhower dollar. These were used to test production press pressure to ensure the proper strike quality before a run. Don't see these as often.
I would be interested in seeing images and adding the information to the spreadsheet.
FWIW, FOIA requests are easy. I sent one to the Treasury once. There are formats online that you can follow. They can't ignore FOIA requests, either.
BTW, you mentioned being "blocked" - were you doing all this by email? Maybe try good old-fashioned paper and envelope, which is harder to block.
Thanks. I will consider. It is also a matter of where and how I expend my efforts. Being born before Pearl Harbor means my age and stamina are impediments. Any help appreciated!
Jon Sullivan, I believe still has some cent dies that were machined off but parts of the Die design still show – a bit of the hair, or a couple of letters of liberty, maybe a portion of the Lincoln memorial on the reverse Die , etc. – check out his website.