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Anybody know more about waffle coins?

These are briefly mentioned in recent Red Books under "Mint-Canceled Coins" and eBay has an article: An overview on Waffled Canceleld coins (Waffle Errors)

Has anything changed? Are people still buying these from the Mint as scrap today or is everything from prior years? Has there been any attempt to determine population (for those that can be identified, like State Quarters)?
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    coindeucecoindeuce Posts: 13,471 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I believe that the Mint abandoned the practice when the market fell flat on the waffled state quarters. I don't subscribe to the eBay blog either. I've always held the belief that TPTB at the Mint tried marketing the waffle cancelled coinage to eliminate the high cost of scrapping/recycling the remainder of inventory. That concern mostly went away when mintages of all coin denominations were scaled back starting in or around the economic crisis of 2008.

    "Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
    http://www.americanlegacycoins.com

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    ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,863 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It might be pretty interesting to have a waffled registry set since PCGS slabs these coins.

    Some waffle coins are pretty cool like this 1976 Ike:

    image
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    LanceNewmanOCCLanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>It might be pretty interesting to have a waffled registry set since PCGS slabs these coins. >>



    ya, it would be neat to see an entire post-64 type set of waffles set up as a display at a big show.
    .

    <--- look what's behind the mask! - cool link 1/NO ~ 2/NNP ~ 3/NNC ~ 4/CF ~ 5/PG ~ 6/Cert ~ 7/NGC 7a/NGC pop~ 8/NGCF ~ 9/HA archives ~ 10/PM ~ 11/NM ~ 12/ANACS cert ~ 13/ANACS pop - report fakes 1/ACEF ~ report fakes/thefts 1/NCIS - Numi-Classes SS ~ Bass ~ Transcribed Docs NNP - clashed coins - error training - V V mm styles -

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    ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I am a collector and dealer of mint canceled waffle coins.

    IMO, the market peaked and valleyed and is on the rise again as more collectors are getting into these.

    I have no idea of how people get these from the scrappers, but I think it's getting harder as supplies seem to be drying up.

    Here's a proof.....

    image
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    ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,863 ✭✭✭✭✭
    What are the most interesting waffle coins you've seen EOC? The Ike above is the most interesting and unique one I'm aware of,
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    pcunixpcunix Posts: 620


    << <i>

    << <i>It might be pretty interesting to have a waffled registry set since PCGS slabs these coins. >>



    ya, it would be neat to see an entire post-64 type set of waffles set up as a display at a big show.
    . >>



    It would have to be 2003 and up, right?

    When I google for these by date, 2003 turns up a lot and I get a few results up to 2009 but it seems to dwindle off. That's why I ask if something has changed?
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    ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>What are the most interesting waffle coins you've seen EOC? The Ike above is the most interesting and unique one I'm aware of, >>



    I like the proofs. I like Sacagawea's. Kennedy's are cool as they are large. SBA.

    I have seen a few bonded in the waffling process and wish I had bought them, but they are kinda expensive.

    Here is one very rare one I own .....

    image
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    ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,863 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>It might be pretty interesting to have a waffled registry set since PCGS slabs these coins. >>



    ya, it would be neat to see an entire post-64 type set of waffles set up as a display at a big show.
    . >>



    It would have to be 2003 and up, right? >>



    Check out this 1976 that I posted above:

    image
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    ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>It might be pretty interesting to have a waffled registry set since PCGS slabs these coins.

    Some waffle coins are pretty cool like this 1976 Ike:

    image >>



    Is this yours, where'd you get that as I have never seen one. I'm guessing they "tested" the waffling machine with this one? Are there more that you have seen?
  • Options
    ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,863 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>It might be pretty interesting to have a waffled registry set since PCGS slabs these coins.

    Some waffle coins are pretty cool like this 1976 Ike:

    image >>



    Is this yours, where'd you get that as I have never seen one. I'm guessing they "tested" the waffling machine with this one? Are there more that you have seen? >>



    It's not mine and I haven't run across any others. It was discovered in a group of coins obtained by Classic Coin in 2003. You can read more about it here.

    The Martha Washington and Sac are very cool EOC!
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    ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Zions, thank you for the info and link. Very awesome.

    That's why I love this place, always something to
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    pcunixpcunix Posts: 620


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>It might be pretty interesting to have a waffled registry set since PCGS slabs these coins. >>



    ya, it would be neat to see an entire post-64 type set of waffles set up as a display at a big show.
    . >>



    It would have to be 2003 and up, right? >>



    Check out this 1976 that I posted above:

    image >>



    But supposedly they didn't buy the machinery until 2003? Red Book says




    << <i>In mid-2003, the U.S. Mint acquired machines to eliminate security concerns and the cost associated with providing Mint police escorts to private vendors for the melting of scrap, sub-standard struck coins, planchets, and blanks . Under high pressure, the rollers and blades of these machines cancel the coins and blanks in a manner similar in appearance to the surface of a waffle, and they are popularly known by that term.

    >>

  • Options
    ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,863 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>It might be pretty interesting to have a waffled registry set since PCGS slabs these coins. >>



    ya, it would be neat to see an entire post-64 type set of waffles set up as a display at a big show.
    . >>



    It would have to be 2003 and up, right? >>



    Check out this 1976 that I posted above [...]

    But supposedly they didn't buy the machinery until 2003? >>



    Blows the mind doesn't it? That's what makes coin collecting so fun image

    EOC's speculation that this was a test piece might be correct as it was acquired with a large batch of waffled coins in 2003.
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    ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,863 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Zions, thank you for the info and link. Very awesome.

    That's why I love this place, always something to >>



    EOC, thanks for posting your pics as well. Love the Martha Washington and didn't know they existed.
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    GoldenEggGoldenEgg Posts: 1,923 ✭✭✭✭✭
    EOC, if I remember correctly, you got that Martha Washington waffle for a spectacular price. It's such an interesting piece of modern Mint history. Glad to see it on display on the forum here.
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    LanceNewmanOCCLanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I have no idea of how people get these from the scrappers, but I think it's getting harder as supplies seem to be drying up.

    Here's a proof..... >>



    i for sure recall that sac. what a fun thread to read when it was posted before. image

    or at least the one thread i'm thinking of. it has probably been posted more than 2x.
    .

    <--- look what's behind the mask! - cool link 1/NO ~ 2/NNP ~ 3/NNC ~ 4/CF ~ 5/PG ~ 6/Cert ~ 7/NGC 7a/NGC pop~ 8/NGCF ~ 9/HA archives ~ 10/PM ~ 11/NM ~ 12/ANACS cert ~ 13/ANACS pop - report fakes 1/ACEF ~ report fakes/thefts 1/NCIS - Numi-Classes SS ~ Bass ~ Transcribed Docs NNP - clashed coins - error training - V V mm styles -

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    BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That Martha waffle looks delicious... Just needs some strawberries, whipped cream, or maple syrup! image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
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    MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 32,200 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I believe that the Mint abandoned the practice when the market fell flat on the waffled state quarters. I don't subscribe to the eBay blog either. I've always held the belief that TPTB at the Mint tried marketing the waffle cancelled coinage to eliminate the high cost of scrapping/recycling the remainder of inventory. That concern mostly went away when mintages of all coin denominations were scaled back starting in or around the economic crisis of 2008. >>





    The mint sold the waffle coins?

    Any more info on that? (links or whatever) ??


    Any and all info much appreciated!



    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
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    ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,863 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The mint sold the waffle coins? >>



    My understanding is that the mint sold them, as scrap metal. These were typically purchased by recyclers but some may have escaped being melted down.

    Reminds me of when China purchased an aircraft carrier to scrap and then refitted it. Once you sell something, it's hard to control what happens to it.
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    pcunixpcunix Posts: 620


    << <i>

    << <i>The mint sold the waffle coins? >>



    My understanding is that the mint sold them, as scrap metal. These were typically purchased by recyclers but some may have escaped being melted down.

    Reminds me of when China purchased an aircraft carrier to scrap and then refitted it. Once you sell something, it's hard to control what happens to it. >>



    Yes, though they didn't seem to care. But if the supply has dried up as it seems to have, either they have stopped making errors image or are doing something different with scrap. Does anyone know?
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    emzeeemzee Posts: 1,846 ✭✭✭
    What's to prevent someone from manufacturing these from normal coins ? I bet you could find the correct equipment in China somewhere ....
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    pcunixpcunix Posts: 620


    << <i>What's to prevent someone from manufacturing these from normal coins ? I bet you could find the correct equipment in China somewhere .... >>



    Supposedly the pattern is unique to each machine. That might not help against China, though.
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    ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,863 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>What's to prevent someone from manufacturing these from normal coins ? I bet you could find the correct equipment in China somewhere .... >>



    I wonder if you can get the correct equipment in the US? Or does the Mint and would you have to get this equipment from overseas. Does anyone know who makes these?

    It seems plausible that it could be legal to run coins through this kind of machine and sell them, as long as you disclosed it was done with released, perfect coins, not non-released, damaged coins.
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    cladkingcladking Posts: 28,331 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I find it very interesting that any Ikes at all have been waffled.

    Perhaps these things aren't so common as we think if the government has been selling them to make refrigerators.
    Tempus fugit.
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    ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,863 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Now that is a PF60!

    I haven't seen any graded ones from PCGS or ATS, but it's nice to see one TPG grading them. Grades are just one step away from registry set image

    image
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    ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,760 ✭✭✭✭
    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
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    ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,760 ✭✭✭✭
    I think waffled coins are pretty neat although I've never owned one.

    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
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    EurekaGoldEurekaGold Posts: 150 ✭✭
    Damaged coins do nothing for me.
    All you need is ignorance and confidence and the success is sure - Mark Twain
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    ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Damaged coins do nothing for me. >>



    These are mint canceled coins that are not suppose to get out.

    There is a big difference between damaged coins and mint canceled coins.
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    BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I was standing at Fred Weinberg's table at a show nearly a decade ago deciding to make a purchase while another customer was inquiring about these waffled $1's. Fred placed a few raw $1 ones in front of the guy and he asked how much? Fred stated 25 and the fellow said OK I'll take one reaching in his pocket and handed over a quarter... I can't remember if he bought or passed when he found out is was $25?

    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
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    ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,863 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I was standing at Fred Weinberg's table at a show nearly a decade ago deciding to make a purchase while another customer was inquiring about these waffled $1's. Fred placed a few raw $1 ones in front of the guy and he asked how much? Fred stated 25 and the fellow said OK I'll take one reaching in his pocket and handed over a quarter... I can't remember if he bought or passed when he found out is was $25? >>



    That might be understandable since they aren't legal tender so they don't have $1 of legal tender value.
  • Options
    Yes 2003 is the correct year for waffling ..

    AND does everyone understand that also in 2003 a truck containing a ton of 2003 Missouri's just so happened to crash
    and ruin many of those prior to those waffling machines purchased! HAHA
    See that is the other reason why so many peeps where selling 2003 Waffled Missouri's like crazy!

    AND ask the US MINT since they just purchased those machines in 2003 .. then WHY they DID NOT use them on the 2004
    Wisconsin Extra Leaf High and Low Quarters that was an inside job by a mint employee and the Mint decided to completely
    destroyed a majority of them but then later released the rest of the batch to the public.

    Does that make any $ENSE? I would love to hear anyone's reply.

    Telsa is one of the greatest inventors
    of all time! Render to Caesar's what is
    Caesars and give to God what is God's.
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    ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,863 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There happens to be a 1999 SBA (NGC 1973494-005) on the bay now as well. Does anyone know how many pre-2003 waffled coins exist?

    image
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    TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 43,835 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I wonder if Mr Carr could do that to some of my Susan B. Anthony Dollars. image
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    ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,863 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I wonder if Mr Carr could do that to some of my Susan B. Anthony Dollars. image >>



    Do you think the SBA above was cancelled outside of the Mint?
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    crypto79crypto79 Posts: 8,623


    << <i>

    << <i>What are the most interesting waffle coins you've seen EOC? The Ike above is the most interesting and unique one I'm aware of, >>



    I like the proofs. I like Sacagawea's. Kennedy's are cool as they are large. SBA.

    I have seen a few bonded in the waffling process and wish I had bought them, but they are kinda expensive.

    Here is one very rare one I own .....

    image >>




    Holy crap image
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    ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Do you think the SBA above was cancelled outside of the Mint? >>



    No, I believe the mint had a surplus of these (the 1999 SBA) so the extras got canceled along with the Martha Washington. I own one or two 1999 SBA mint waffled cancel coins.

    I also have a 2001 New York State quarter that has been waffle canceled.

    I think the latest date on a waffle I have seen is 2009, but not sure.



  • Options
    FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,720 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes, they are damaged coins,
    but because they were damaged,
    or Waffled, IN the Mint(s), they
    are considered collectable.

    When I took a special tour of the
    Denver Mint back in 2009, out on
    the loading dock were four huge
    'bins' of waffled Roos. Dimes.

    Both Mint's are still waffling coins
    to this day, as far as I know; why
    there aren't more dated in the past
    4-5 years I'm not sure, but I certainly
    wouldn't pay a bid premium, if any,
    for a recent date Waffled coin.

    By the way, the Waffled Martha's came
    from me, and they came from the Denver
    Mint....although there's no info that Denver
    even struck Martha Test Pieces........
    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 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
  • Options
    ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Just got outbid on a Certified Kennedy waffle, dang thread is making waffles popular .......
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    BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Just got outbid on a Certified Kennedy waffle, dang thread is making waffles popular ....... >>



    Belgian Waffle Makers are soaring on eBay too! image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • Options
    ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Just got outbid on a Certified Kennedy waffle, dang thread is making waffles popular ....... >>



    Belgian Waffle Makers are soaring on eBay too! image >>



    LOL, the funny thing is, you know how ebay suggests items for you, they suggest Belgian Waffle Makers every day when I search ebay ......

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    OverdateOverdate Posts: 6,936 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Did someone say belgian waffle coin? image

    My Adolph A. Weinman signature :)

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    ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,863 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Just got outbid on a Certified Kennedy waffle, dang thread is making waffles popular ....... >>



    I was thinking you may have been interested in the 2 Kennedy halves in one but that one is still for sale.
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    pcunixpcunix Posts: 620
    I see references to the "Philadelphia Waffle Hoard" but can't seem to find out more about it.

    I did find this 2008 article which claims "The U.S. Mint has indicated that it will no longer allow waffle coins to be released".
  • Options
    FullStrikeFullStrike Posts: 4,353 ✭✭✭
    Isnt this US Mint scrap? Junked production? This is as bad as if I were to deface some Coins with a metal
    stamper that imprinted " Special Select Specimen" on them. I could say these are special hard to get Coins
    and sell them at nice markups. Only problem is , the defacement might be duplicated by others, making my
    Coins not so limited.

    This is just an example of Coin Dealer marketing IMHO. Whatever. If the suckers want to hand over their money
    why not take it. Ethics be damned. Profit over principles.

    image
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    FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,720 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Maybe this will help for clarity:

    The Philadelphia Mint & the Denver Mint have
    Kuster's Waffle Machine on the floor, inside the
    Mint's walls.

    They 'waffle', or cancel, any defective blanks,
    planchets or error coins with this machine.

    It was originally developed for the European
    coins that were being turned in about 15 years
    ago as Europe went to using the Euro only.
    There were concerns that coins returned to Banks
    for the new Euro's would be stolen as large shipments
    went to either the Central Banks, or to be destroyed.
    This solved that problem.

    The US Mint bought these machines to save money -
    prior to using them, large trucks with damaged or
    error coins had to have armed guards on them as they
    left the Mint(s), and were driven across the country to
    be melted/refined by the manufacturing plants that made
    some of the planchets for U.S.Mint use.

    Yes, they are damaged....
    Yes, they are cancelled....
    Yes, they are no longer legal tender
    Yes, the Mint considers them scrap metal.

    However.......and members of this forum should know better
    than others, that because they went thru the Waffling Machine
    that was ON the floor of a U.S. Mint.........

    Yes, they are collectable.

    Like Rod Taylor's Time Machine in the Movieof the same name, if the Waffling Machine
    was located 10 feet OUTSIDE the Mint's wall, history would be different.
    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 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
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    ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thank you Fred.

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    FullStrikeFullStrike Posts: 4,353 ✭✭✭
    So what has happened to these Waffle Machines? Does the Mint still have them, still use them? They didn't surplus them out
    did they? If so will we soon be seeing the ultra rare 1857 Waffled Large Cent - which becomes the first $11 Million Coin?

    image

    I do see how these are mildly interesting but when bidding on ebay reaches fanatical levels I have to wonder.

    These peoples be crazies. Dey pays good monies for destroyed monies.image
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    FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,720 ✭✭✭✭✭
    As far as I know, both Denver & Philly still
    have them in both facilities.

    When I took a special tour of the Denver Mint
    back in 2006, the machine was working, and
    boy was it LOUD !

    Towards the end of the tour (it was just
    Dave Camire of NGC, and myself) we ended
    up at the loading dock outside the Mint.

    There were two HUGE bins filled with Waffled
    Roosevelt Dimes....don't know why they had
    to cancel so many dimes, but they were there,
    waiting to be picked up by a trucking company
    and sent to Indiana (I believe, not sure) where
    they would be melted and turned into planchet
    strips again......
    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 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
  • Options
    ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,863 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Could buying a Kusters Coin Crushing System be a good financial decision?

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