I realize some folks these things are cool, but I just look at them and shake my head that they even get slabbed since there is little doubt in my mind that these were unauthorized pieces made for private gain within the Mint.
I sold this unique major mint error to a dealer (who posts here) who sold it to another dealer (who posts here). They can identify themselves if they want to. It was the cover coin for the 5th issue of Mint Error News Magazine. It is one of the all-time major U.S. mint errors:
mikebyers.com Dealer in Major Mint Errors, Die Trials & Patterns - Author of NLG Best World Coin Book World's Greatest Mint Errors - Publisher & Editor of minterrornews.com.
<< <i>I realize some folks these things are cool, but I just look at them and shake my head that they even get slabbed since there is little doubt in my mind that these were unauthorized pieces made for private gain within the Mint. >>
These types of things aren't errors. At best, they're curiosity pieces. Calling this an error is just as much a misnomer as calling a WI high leaf quarter an error. (Those quarters have the benefit of at least being interesting die varieties, rather than just science projects.)
If you haven't noticed, I'm single and miserable and I've got four albums of bitching about it that I would offer as proof.
Very interesting. Also interesting is that if you go to the auction records part of the listing you get a long list of totally irrelevant foreign coins. TD
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
<< <i>I realize some folks these things are cool, but I just look at them and shake my head that they even get slabbed since there is little doubt in my mind that these were unauthorized pieces made for private gain within the Mint. >>
These types of things aren't errors. At best, they're curiosity pieces. Calling this an error is just as much a misnomer as calling a WI high leaf quarter an error. (Those quarters have the benefit of at least being interesting die varieties, rather than just science projects.) >>
Well, technically there is a possibility that it was a legitimate error, and you would have a difficult time proving that it was not. I remember taking a floor tour of the Ottawa Mint in the Summer of 1968, and being sorely tempted to casually slip a U.S. coin from my pocket into a bin of blanks and just keep walking. I did not, on the theory that we were probably being watched. TD
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
<< <i>Well, technically there is a possibility that it was a legitimate error, and you would have a difficult time proving that it was not. I remember taking a floor tour of the Ottawa Mint in the Summer of 1968, and being sorely tempted to casually slip a U.S. coin from my pocket into a bin of blanks and just keep walking. I did not, on the theory that we were probably being watched. TD >>
I could be completely wrong, but I would imagine your ability to do that in the U.S. mint would essentially be zero (unless you worked there), and that teh consequences for trying would probably be non-trivial.
This process doesn't sound like the type of thing that's susceptible to anyone but a Mint worker monkeying around. And frankly, it sounds like a 2-person job, at that. How could you call yourself an inspector and not catch a cent/dime mule?
If you haven't noticed, I'm single and miserable and I've got four albums of bitching about it that I would offer as proof.
**I realize some folks these things are cool, but I just look at them and shake my head that they even get slabbed since there is little doubt in my mind that these were unauthorized pieces made for private gain within the Mint.
MUCH like the 1913 Liberty Nickel???
Rich Schemmer Error Coins & RichErrors (on Ebay) Trusted Name in Numismatics & the Error Coin Hobby for OVER 25 Years
The way the reverse is flattened out, I imagine that this piece was created by placing two half dimes, one on top of the other, between the cent dies. (Edited to say that that must be wrong. The other piece would need to be a blank planchet or the current piece would show signs of brockage.) Somewhere out there, there may be a mate to this coin.
Here's another piece with a similar story:
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 50+ Year PNG Member.A full-time numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022.
<< <i>Guess what folks? It's not just an ordinary 1859 cent. It's a transitional J-228!
Edited to say: Well, maybe...
>>
You need a third, middle blank for that situation to work. OTOH, maybe one of the Inidna cent gururs can determine what die the obverse was struck with. A circulation die, a proof die, or a pattern die.
mikebyers.com Dealer in Major Mint Errors, Die Trials & Patterns - Author of NLG Best World Coin Book World's Greatest Mint Errors - Publisher & Editor of minterrornews.com.
Comments
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Link to pdf of issue 5 of Mint Error News
<< <i>I realize some folks these things are cool, but I just look at them and shake my head that they even get slabbed since there is little doubt in my mind that these were unauthorized pieces made for private gain within the Mint. >>
These types of things aren't errors. At best, they're curiosity pieces. Calling this an error is just as much a misnomer as calling a WI high leaf quarter an error. (Those quarters have the benefit of at least being interesting die varieties, rather than just science projects.)
-- Adam Duritz, of Counting Crows
My Ebay Auctions
<< <i>Auction link
no affiliation/FYI >>
Very interesting. Also interesting is that if you go to the auction records part of the listing you get a long list of totally irrelevant foreign coins.
TD
<< <i>
<< <i>I realize some folks these things are cool, but I just look at them and shake my head that they even get slabbed since there is little doubt in my mind that these were unauthorized pieces made for private gain within the Mint. >>
These types of things aren't errors. At best, they're curiosity pieces. Calling this an error is just as much a misnomer as calling a WI high leaf quarter an error. (Those quarters have the benefit of at least being interesting die varieties, rather than just science projects.) >>
Well, technically there is a possibility that it was a legitimate error, and you would have a difficult time proving that it was not. I remember taking a floor tour of the Ottawa Mint in the Summer of 1968, and being sorely tempted to casually slip a U.S. coin from my pocket into a bin of blanks and just keep walking. I did not, on the theory that we were probably being watched.
TD
<< <i>Well, technically there is a possibility that it was a legitimate error, and you would have a difficult time proving that it was not. I remember taking a floor tour of the Ottawa Mint in the Summer of 1968, and being sorely tempted to casually slip a U.S. coin from my pocket into a bin of blanks and just keep walking. I did not, on the theory that we were probably being watched.
TD >>
I could be completely wrong, but I would imagine your ability to do that in the U.S. mint would essentially be zero (unless you worked there), and that teh consequences for trying would probably be non-trivial.
This process doesn't sound like the type of thing that's susceptible to anyone but a Mint worker monkeying around. And frankly, it sounds like a 2-person job, at that. How could you call yourself an inspector and not catch a cent/dime mule?
-- Adam Duritz, of Counting Crows
My Ebay Auctions
MUCH like the 1913 Liberty Nickel???
Trusted Name in Numismatics & the Error Coin Hobby for OVER 25 Years
Here's another piece with a similar story:
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Yes it's on my web site, yes it's the same coin....look at the cert #'s.
Yes it's unique!!!
Yes it has provenance back to 1873!!!
Yes it's worth North of $100K!!!
Yes it is for sale in the Heritage auction signature night at FUN!!!
Happy to answer any other questions the board has about the coin!!!
The other real mystery is how the coin was made. Every plausible scenario has some holes in it.
Bottomline, it is a mint made product, yes most likely made by someone fooling around.
Mike Byers said it best, it's one of the TOP 5 CLASSIC ERRORS OF ALL-TIME!!!
Ike Specialist
Finest Toned Ike I've Ever Seen, been looking since 1986
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
Edited to say: Well, maybe...
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
<< <i>Guess what folks? It's not just an ordinary 1859 cent. It's a transitional J-228!
Edited to say: Well, maybe...
You need a third, middle blank for that situation to work. OTOH, maybe one of the Inidna cent gururs can determine what die the obverse was struck with. A circulation die, a proof die, or a pattern die.
Ed. S.
(EJS)
I'll buy that. And why not? Funny thing is, if the third (center) piece surfaced, everyone would say it's a fake uniface half dime brockage.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Even the major error dealers (And they've all posted to this message) aren't sure how this was made!!!
Ike Specialist
Finest Toned Ike I've Ever Seen, been looking since 1986