CONECA

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Homepage updated /11/23/2008

Recent Finds ...
Pocket Change Finds Include 1998 Wide AM

Images courtesy of Joe Thompson

Photo © Ken Potter 2000
Here is a closer look at the 'Wide AM' variety.

November 23, 2009 -- CONECA Member, Joe Thompson reports finding a 1998 'Wide AM' Lincoln cent in his pocket change. In the image of the uppermost coin you can see the normal 'Close AM' variety, which sports an M of AMERICA that is shifted close left to A of AMERICA and far from the E. The lower image is of the 'Wide AM variety, which exhibits an M that is well centered between the A and E of AMERICA. Frank Gasparro's designer initials, FG, are found further from the lower right side of the Memorial building on the 'Close AM' variety than on the Wide AM where they are, of course, closer.
The 'Wide AM' variety was created when the Mint inadvertently processed dies intended for proof coinage as business strike dies. The same error occurred again in 1999 and 2000. Conversely, some 1998-S and 1999-S proof cents can be found mated with a reverse die bearing the 'Close AM' business strike reverse processed as proof dies. Additionally, somehow just before the transition in 1993 after the new 'Close AM' dies were prepared at least one 'Close AM' die (for each Mint) was used to produce a very small quantity of 1992 and 1992-D cents with the Close AM design (everything prior to 1993 should have been 'Wide AM'). These are presumed by some to be test-strikes minted at the end of 1992 to make sure the dies were compatible for striking with the obverse designs. Both 1992 and 1992-D 'Close AM' varieties are very rare in any grade. Other more minor reverse design style transitional varieties are known for 1988 and 1989. You can learn more about them here: Design Varieties.

Commercial News ...
Byers Releases 25th Mint Error News Magazine

November 23, 2008 -- Mike Byers has just published a new issue of Mint Error News Magazine. Issue 25 is available to download for free in PDF format on the Mint Error News website: http://minterrornews.com/. This issue is packed with over 250 pages of info on mint error coins including a fantastic NGC certified Proof John Q. Adams $1 struck on an elliptical planchet, a 1973-S Dollar on a Copper-Nickel planchet, prices realized in recent Heritage Galleries auctions and price charts on numerous types of errors. Also featured in this issue is a record of the highest prices ever realized in Heritage Galleries auctions. Check it out!

Oh, No It Ain't ...!! #35
Wrong Planchet or Acid Coin?

Photo © Ken Potter 2008

November 15, 2008 -- One of the most frequent questions that error-variety coin examiners receive revolves around what we call "acid coins." These are coins that for one reason or another were soaked in acid and as a result had their diameter, thickness and weight reduced. Many are less than half of their original weight yet because the acid erodes the surface somewhat evenly, many retain enough of their original design to be recognizable. They are often presented as great rarities that the finders are fairly certain represent some sort of off-metal or wrong-planchet error; a coin that was perhaps minted on a foreign planchet.

See The Rest Of Story

See More "Oh, No It Ain't...!" Columns

Recent Finds ...
'Found In Rolls' Website Neat!

Images courtesy of Bill O'Rourke
Here's a 1972 Doubled Die Reverse #1, a 1969-D Laminated Obverse and a
1983 Doubled Die Reverse that are all featured on the 'Found In Rolls' website.

November 13, 2008 -- If you enjoy the recent finds featured on this website then you'll also enjoy a visit to Bill O'Rourke's "Found In Rolls" website! Bill is the author of a column by the same name that appears monthly in Coin World. He is one of the early contributors to my Coin World, Varieties Notebook column, so it was nice to bump into his website one day as I was googling something about error coins. Not everything on the site is error-variety related but you'll get a kick out of the many errors and varieties he has found plus a look at some of the foreign coins, tokens, medals and altered coins (amongst other things) that he and others have found in rolls. He has also started a second website, Ask About Coins, dedicated to answering questions.

See The Found In Rolls Site Here

See The Ask About Coins Site Here

In The News ...
A Look Back At The Detached-Leg Bison 5c

Photo © Ken Potter 2005
Here is a look at one of the so-called Detached-Leg abraded die varieties. Also
note the weakness of the underside behind the bison's front right leg.

November 11, 2008 -- I recently received a question on the current value for a 2005-P Westward Journey Bison nickel with a "Detached Leg." A few years ago the coins were selling for hundreds of dollars on the television network outlets that were promoting them. So I decided to check and see what their current values are ...

See The Numismatic News Story Here

See The Rest Of The Numismaster Story Here

In The News ...
Finding Live Links for Dead Linked Stories

November 06, 2008 -- For those of you who enjoy reading the details to stories by clicking on the links found at the end of many "teasers" appearing on this page, you may have have noticed that all but the newest links that went to stories hosted by F+W Publications' Numismatic News website recently became "dead links." This is because F+W revamped the NN site a couple months ago or so. In doing so all the old stories were "lost" and the site started out fresh. On the other hand, the links that went to the same stories appearing on the Numismaster website (also managed by F+W) are still live. The problem is that many of our teasers only gave the link to the NN version of the story. The logic was that including two different links to the same story was redundant (though I am now including both). For some reason, the images for each site were processed differently. Those appearing on the NN site were usually superior so I often chose the NN version of the story to link to.
So what do you do if you want to read the rest of a story that originally appeared on the NN site and is now gone? Basically, you have to go to the Numismaster website at http://www.numismaster.com and then click on the News+Articles tab near the top of the page. This takes you to a page that lists some of the more important stories that currently appear in NN, World Coin News, Bank Note Reporter, Coins Prices and Coins Magazine. On that page you will find a "Quick Archive Search" box. Enter a few keywords for the story you want to read and it will bring up the story or a list of stories to choose from. For example, if you want to read all the stories I wrote on Adams dollar errors just type in "Ken Potter Adams Errors" and it will bring up a list containing all those stories. If you want to restrict your search to articles that I and anybody else may have wrote about "Gnarled Edges" just type in "Gnarled Edges." You can broaden or restrict your search as you see fit. So for now, at least until I can find the time to change over all the links, this is the best way I know of to find the rest of the story for many of the teaser stories that appear on our homepage and eventually get archived elsewhere. You can also find a lot of other interesting stories that I may have missed reviewing here!

In The News ...
Error-Variety Coins Reported Stolen

November 11, 2008 -- Joe and Jean Gallo of , A Variety Of Errors, reports that a number of error-variety coins were stolen from them. They were robbed Sunday night in Bessemer, Alabama returning from the Tennessee State Numismatic Society Coin and Currency Convention held in Chattanooga. They lost everything including, coins, lights, microscope, etc. One of the highlights was an AU-50 1969-S doubled die obverse Lincoln cent in a SEGS holder with serial number: 5090821189901034213. The Gallo's ask that dealers and collectors keep and eye out for any of these coins turning up in the market and report them to them. The list of stolen coins includes many that are in slabs with serial numbers that are noted on their list. The list may be accessed here: Stolen Coins. The Gallo's may be contacted by phone at: 985-768-0203 and by email at: avarietyoferrors@charter.net.

In The News ...
Engraver's Initials Missing

Photo © Ken Potter 2008 (inset courtesy of the US Mint)

    November 04, 2008 -- Ed Gralnik is the first person to send in examples of an error on a 2008 Alaskan State quarter. He sent two Philadelphia Mint specimens struck with “filled dies” that are missing US Mint engraver, Charles Vickers’ initials. They are normally found near the rim just to the lower right of the Bear’s upheld front paw as “CLV.” They can be seen in the image courtesy of the US Mint.
    Collectors should note that “filled dies” or “strike thrus” are considered striking errors and are not die varieties. Thus, missing areas of design that may occur due to die abrasion that sometimes become popular collectables, such as the missing FG designer’s initials on some 1982-P Kennedy half dollars and the 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo nickels, or through omission such as the 1982 No P Mintmark dimes, (the result of the Mint forgetting to add the Mintmark to the die), are not related to this type of variation. Missing designs due to die abrasion rarely catch on but a few have in a handful of cases, (including those noted above), while Mintmark omissions have proven to be extremely popular.
    Filled die errors range from minor examples to majors with values ranging that from just a few cents over face value to hundreds of dollars just depending in the severity and coin type effected. Generally, ones like Gralnik’s, where the goop only obliterates a few letters are considered minor and are worth a dollar or two at best on the States Quarters series where they are extremely common. However, his examples are a bit more interesting in that the effect is conspicuous. I’d guess them to be worth somewhat more perhaps up into the lower two figures area. Of course, this is just an opinion. KP

In The News ...
Look At Mint Set Yields Error

Photos © Ken Potter 2008 / Coin courtesy of Thomas Searfoss
Notice that you can barely read the date and Mintmark on this coin.

November 03, 2008 -- Some folks have taken to heart the Sept. 23 Numismatic News story on plain edge Presidential dollars found in 2008 mint sets. Not only have they started searching these sets but also those from 2007.
Thomas Searfoss of Florida decided to check his 2007 set and found a Philadelphia-minted George Washington dollar with the edge inscription virtually missing.

See The Numismatic News Story

See The Numismaster Version Of The Story

In The News ...
Where Are All The Proof Jefferson Errors?

Photos © Ken Potter 2008
If the 2007-S Jefferson dollar in your set exhibits the edge inscription
in the sequence shown in the mockup above, you have one of the errors.

October 31, 2008 -- It’s been over seven months since collectors were alerted of a major edge inscription error found on 2007-S proof Thomas Jefferson Presidential dollars. Yet to date, there have been no reports of additional finds since the first four specimens were originally publicized in late March. The error involves out-of-sequence mottos on the edges of the coins. Instead of correctly reading: “2007 S - E PLURIBUS UNUM - IN GOD WE TRUST,” the edges on the error dollars read, “2007 S - IN GOD WE TRUST – E PLURIBUS UNUM.”

See The Numismatic News Story

See The Numismaster Version Here

Recent Finds ...
Interesting Die Dent On Bison 5c

Photos © Ken Potter 2005

October 25, 2008 -- It looks like the band of warriors that “speared” the now infamous so-called 2005-D "Speared Bison" nickel in Denver moved all the way into Philadelphia and “tomahawked” another bison there! Now, if you believe this, I got a bridge to sell you! What we are really talking about here is a 2005-P Bison five-cent piece with an interesting shaped die dent just behind the Bison’s upper right shoulder. At least one observer decided this die dent looked like a tomahawk and began calling it a “Tomahawked Bison” and on eBay its been seen referred to as the “Broken Tomahawk” variety. Gary Silay Jr was the first to report one to me in March, 2005.
Most error-variety coin specialists agree that nicknames such as those noted here, are misleading and that they should be referred to as what they really are or at the very least explained immediately after the use of the nickname as to what they are such as "tomahawk-shaped die break." However, my father collected tomahawks as a kid (those found on his uncle's farm) and I've got to tell you after seeing them first-hand for many years, I fail the see any resemblance to a tomahawk here! Neat die dent though ... KP

Recent Finds ...
Glickman Finds JFK on SBA Planchet!

Click On Picture To See The Story And Enlarged Views

October 20, 2008 -- CONECA member Ken Glickman has found the second Kennedy half-dollar stuck on a Susan B. Anthony dollar planchet to be reported this year! The first one was reported on this site on June 13 and can be seen by scrolling down the page. It was dated 1980-P. To learn more about Ken's amazing find and to see close up pictures, go to his website where it is featured, by clicking on the image above.

You can visit Ken's main site at: Home Of The Kennedy Half Dollar

Commercial News ...
Heritage Releases Top 10 Lincolns List

Photo © Ken Potter 2007/Coin Courtesy of Michael Tremonti

October 18, 2008 -- For "This Week's Top Ten" feature, Heritage Auction Galleries' October 18, 2008 eNewsletter offers their list of the "Ten Highest Valued Lincoln Cents Auctioned by Heritage." Not surprisingly, the list is evenly split between five normal coins and five error-variety coins! So without further ado here they are:

1944-S 1C —On a Zinc-Plated Steel Planchet— MS66 NGC, sold for $373,750.
1926-S 1C MS65 Red PCGS, sold for $149,500.
1969-S 1C Doubled Die MS64 Red PCGS, sold for $126,500.
1914 1C PR68 Red PCGS, sold for $126,500.
1944-D 1C —Struck on a Zinc-Coated Steel Planchet— MS63 NGC, sold for $115,000.
1909-S VDB 1C MS67 Red PCGS, sold for $97,750.
1909-S VDB 1C MS67 Red PCGS, sold for $92,000.
1944-D 1C —Struck on a Steel Planchet— MS62 NGC, sold for $92,000.
1909-S VDB 1C MS67 Red PCGS, sold for $77,050.
1922 No D 1C Strong Reverse MS64 Red and Brown NGC, sold for $74,750.

In The News ...
ANA School Honors Schook

American Numismatic Association Photo

October 18, 2008 -- Hobby leader and one-time CONECA member, Florence M. Schook will be honored with the American Numismatic Association’s establishment of the Florence Schook School of Numismatics and a three-year fund-raising goal of $4.5 million. While most folks knew Florence from her work within the ANA and the Michigan State Numismatic Society, she was also an active member of CONECA. During the 1980s she co-held the position of CONECA Michigan State Representative. She also made sure that anytime a CONECA member needed a suite for a seminar on error-variety coins at MSNS's conventions that it was arranged for. Florence was a recipient of the ANA's Farran Zerbe Memorial, Medal of Merit, Outstanding Adult Advisor and Club Representative awards; Numismatic News' Numismatic Ambassador Award; the Great Eastern Numismatic Association's "Woman of the Year" award; and the City of Detroit's Ambassador Award. She served as a President of the the ANA and MSNS. She is remembered by here dedication to YN programs. Schook passed away April 2, 2006 at the age of 88.

See The Numismatic News Story

Readers Share ...
Planchet Found in 5 Yen Roll

October 15, 2008 -- Steve Hansen recently found a planchet in a BU roll of Japanese 5 Yen coins. He included pictures of one of the struck coins, the planchet and roll they were found in. He said, "I bought the roll along with several other odd items last month. I do not know the year/date of the coin. Everything is printed in Japanese on the roll wrapper." Neat find!

Members Share ...
BJ Neff & Bob Piazza's Trail Dies Work Made Public

October 14, 2008 - BJ Neff and Bob Piazza have officially announced the opening of www.traildies.com, a new site that deals exclusively with the die variety called trails. The site has over 700 trail dies, from the cent to the dollar, identified with color photos of both the anomaly and the associated die markers. So, if you have a few of this type of variety and have wondered what they are, visit the site and see the discussion and listings.

In The News ...
Dropped Letter 25c, Dbl Stuck 5c, DDO 1c & Clip Featured

Photos © Ken Potter 2008

October 11, 2008 -- Tracy Miller of Florida found a 2005-P West Virginia state quarter with a “Dropped Letter” showing as a letter “T” dropped out in the field. He also reported several other errors including a 1988-P Double Struck Jefferson nickel (see above) as noted in Ken Potter's recent feature in Numismatic News.

See The Online Version Of The Story Here

See the October 14, 2008 Issue of Numismatic News for all sixteen (16) images associated with the story.

Readers Share ...
Strike Doubling On 1995 Eagle

Photos © Ken Potter 2007

October 09, 2008 -- William Anderson of SC sent in a 1995 American Silver Eagle that shows Strike Doubling on the date, upper exergue, bottoms of both of Miss Liberty's sandals and Adolph Weinman's, designer initials. Also referred to as "machine doubling damage," "mechanical doubling," and "ejection doubling," (and other lesser used terms), strike doubling is a form of doubling that most specialists agree occurs to a coin due to die bounce from vibrations that set up in a working press. Most agree that it occurs within a split second after the coin is struck and just prior to or during ejection. Other than a few rare forms of strike doubling not covered here, it does not add value or elicit much interest from error-variety specialists nor will any of the major grading services recognize it as an error or variety. Strike doubling is exceedingly common on U.S. and other world coins and can be found on most dates and denominations. Though there are varying opinions, it is considered a form of damage by most specialists.
See Machine Doubling Damage in the CONECA Glossary for more information.

Questions & Answers ...
What Does The 2000-P "Wounded Eagle" $1 Look Like?

Image © Ken Potter 2005 / Coin courtesy of Gary Burger

    September 30, 20008 -- Eric L., posed a question about the so-called "Wounded Eagle," 2000-P Sacagawea dollar. He says: "I bought about 200 rolls of the new [2000-P] Sacagawea coins from my local Wal-Mart during their promotion [that year] in a search to find a "wounded-eagle" that matched the snake-like pattern of a photo I spotted online somewhere. I turned a few hundred with "spears" back into the bank looking for a wounded eagle ... is there any reference photos on the types of "wounds" that can be certified as "wounded eagles."
    In answer: these are not a "wound" nor are they a "spear" but rather a die gouge that runs through the body of the eagle just below the breast. There is only one die gouge variety that I know of that is "officially" recognized by the authors of the Cherrypickers' Guide To Rare Die Varieties, Bill Fivaz and J.T. Stanton. They refer to it as "Reverse Die Aberrations" and make a special note that "some collectors have nicknamed this the 'speared eagle'." In actuality, "wounded eagle" was and continues to be the far more popular nickname. It is frequently certified by some of the grading companies as a "wounded eagle."
    Many in the organized error-variety hobby are against the use of nicknames such as either cited here and prefer to see them referred to simply as "die gouges" (or perhaps the closely related "die dents" which this may actually be) or at the very least as something like "Wounded Eagle--Die Gouge." Whatever your position, there is no question that this one is unusual and kind of neat! I own one that fellow Michigander, Gary Burger gave me and I enjoy looking at it on the rare occasions that I get a change to look at any of my own coins :) KP

Members Share ...
Diamond Acquires Dime-Stock 25c In Mint Set!

Images courtesy of Mike Diamond

Click On Image For Larger View

September 28, 2008 -- CONECA President, Mike Diamond wrote to say, "I recently purchased a 1970-D dime stock quarter that was part of a Denver mint set. It's still in the original plastic. I thought it was an unusual find. The coin plus the plastic weighs 4.5 grams, vs. the 5.67 grams of a naked normal quarter."
So if you haven't checked 1970 Mint sets yet for dime stock quarters, now might be a good time to start! You may also want to check for the many doubled dies that can be found in these sets! In particular, look for the 1970-D cents, dimes and quarters. Also, at least one dime stock quarter has been found with a significant doubled die reverse! It may have come from a Mint set. Also check the sets for RPMs with the 1970-S/S RPM#1 cent being the highlight. I recently purchased the Philadelphia/San Francisco half of a 1970 Mint set that contained two 1970-S cents and both were the S/S! Go here to the CONECA Master Listings to see which doubled dies and RPMs can be found in Mint Sets. Hint: all the Doubled Dies and RPMs that can be found in Mint sets are noted as such with a note in gold lettering. KP

Check Out Mike Diamond's Error-Variety Checklist

Commercial News ...
Heritage Releases Top 10 Buffalo's List

Images courtesy of Heritage Auction Galleries

September 27, 2008 -- For "This Week's Top Ten" feature, Heritage Auction Galleries' September 27, 2008 eNewsletter offers their list of the "Ten Most Valuable Buffalo Nickels Auctioned by Heritage." Interestingly, the list includes six fantastic Buffalo nickel varieties that'll make your mouth water! So without further ado here they are:

1916 5C Doubled Die Obverse MS64 PCGS, sold for $264,500.
1918/7-D 5C MS65 NGC, sold for $155,250.
1917-S 5C MS67 NGC, sold for $138,000.
1918/7-D 5C MS64 PCGS, sold for $126,500.
1919-S 5C MS66 PCGS, sold for $109,250.
1920-D 5C MS66 PCGS, sold for $97,750.
1919-S 5C MS66 NGC, sold for $92,000.
1937-D 5C Three-Legged MS66 PCGS, sold for $86,250.
1918/7-D 5C MS64 NGC, sold for $85,100.
1918/7-D 5C MS 64 PCGS, sold for $83,950.

Recent Finds ...
Large Cent Enthusiast Finds 1846 N-10

Image courtesy of "Toad"

September 26, 2008 -- In spite of being an error-variety specialist for nearly three decades, I, as the CONECA webmaster and editor of this page, must freely admit that I know very little about errors and varieties on Early American Coppers! So with this submission I can add little (actually nothing) in way of explanation as to just how rare or significant this find is. All I can really report is that it was submitted to me as being found by a fellow saying, "I found another one (1800/1798 DBC NC-6)! It's currently in route to Bob Grellman for official attributing, along with a late die state 1846 BHC N-10 (gorgeous rim cud)." The 1846 is shown here. The rim cud runs on the obverse from about 9:00 to 11:00 o'clock. The submitter just goes by the handle "Toad" aka George. Thanks Toad! KP

"Oh, No It Ain't ...!!"
Sandwich Coins: Deceptive Alterations - Not Brockages!

Image courtesy of Luis Astete

September 25, 2008 -- Coins that exhibit evidence of another coin pressed into them after they were released by the Mint are NOT genuine minting errors, yet they tend to be one of the more frequently encountered coin alterations encountered. They are often mistaken for "Brokage Errors." Luis Astete send in a 1976-D Kennedy half-dollar that he found with the incuse mirror image of a dime pressed into its obverse. This may have been done by setting the dime on top of the half-dollar and smacking the dime with a hammer or placing the pair of coins between leather and then forcing them together in a vise. These types of alterations are often referred to as "Sandwich Coins." Read more about them by clicking the link below.

"Oh, No It Ain't ...!!" #28

Readers Share ...
Geo. Washington Dollar Found w/93-Degree Rotated Reverse
by Michael Rothwell

Image courtesy of NGC
The reverse is shown reflected into a mirror. It illustrates just how far off this one was!

September 23, 2008 -- I found this coin in a brand new Denver roll at our bank here in Decorah, Iowa right after they were first released. My discovery of it was pure FLUKE! Let me explain: As you recall, immediately, there was all the hype on the Missing Edge Lettering George Washington dollars. Of course, I wanted to see what I could find, as at that time, it wasn't broadly known of the mass amounts of Missing Edge Lettering George Washington dollars sent to the Florida district from the Philly Mint. So, that's what I was searching for ... in a Denver roll! I had also seen people making claims to the "upside down" edge lettering. "WOW!," I thought! I had 13 out of 25 of them! Of course we now know that isn't an 'error' at all. However, I placed the 13 coins in 2" x 2" Mylar cardboard flips and started scanning the obverse and reverse of each coin. I was on about the fourth or fifth coin and I scanned the obverse, then did the "180-flip" on the scanner bed and scanned the reverse. "Something" was wrong! I was pretty sure I flipped the coin just like the rest before. So I re-checked and that's when I noticed, "Hey! This is waaaay off here!" Total Fluke discovery! It came back from NGC graded MS65 "Rotated Dies."

Read More About Rotated Reverses Here

Our Favorite Errors ...
About Contaminated Die Design Transfers

Photo © Ken Potter 2001

September 18, 2008 -- Several days ago one of our members sent images of a Lincoln cent that exhibited very shallow doubling around the profile. I couldn't tell from the photos exactly what type of doubling it might have been or even if there was any relief to the doubling (which in the photos seemed to be even or fairly even with the field). Based on this and other characteristics, I felt that one possible cause might be "contaminated die design transfer." I then went to an article I wrote on the subject back in 2002, (for which I borrowed verbiage from an eBay auction I ran the year before), and reviewed my images. Finding it appropriate to the subject, I then sent him the link. The story was on the most sensational example of contaminated die design transfer that I've ever seen. It was on a 1793 Flowing Hair large cent reproduction minted by Gallery Mint Museum back in the late 1990s. The dealer who had these made by GMM sent a number of half-dollars to them to be overstruck by large cent dies in the hope of sidestepping the expense of GMM having to make silver planchets. The dealer's intent wasn't so much to have overstrikes made but to have versions of GMM large cents made in silver in the most cost-effective manner possible. Nonetheless, in picking out some half-dollars to be overstruck, he chose some that were very dark in the hope that the understrike would show up very well. In doing so, at one point in the process, GMM inadvertently created one of the most interesting examples of contaminated die design transfer that one could ask for -- a dual dated 1793 cent struck on a Walking Liberty half-dollar with a secondary date of 1953! Learn how it all happed here: Contaminated Die Design Transfer

In The News ...
Colombian Doubled Die Featured

Images © Ken Potter 2008 / Coin courtesy of R. A. Medina

September 17, 2008 -- This month’s lead coin in the October installment of World Coin News', Visiting Varieties column, is a doubled die on a Columbian 1968 20 centavos coin that R.A. Medina of Texas sent in. According to columnist, Ken Potter, "It’s a variety that I featured in this column well over a decade ago but one I’d often wished I had more photos of to show at that time. Finally, for the first time in this column, readers will get an opportunity to see all the magnificent doubling this coin has to offer! The doubling is extremely strong on the denomination, 20 CENTAVOS and on the inside of the upper left side of the wreath. Alan Herbert first listed it for Bob Walter of Glenbrook Coins of Connecticut way back in 1976 and it was one of Herbert’s photos, passed on to me by another collector that I originally showed. This is just one fantastic doubled die that in my book ranks in the top 100 doubled dies known, somewhere near the top of the list. I’ve listed this one in the Variety Coin Register for the date, denomination and country as VCR#1/DDR#1." He also featured a number of overdates from several countries. More photos of the Colombian doubled die and the overdates can be seen in the October issue of WCN.

Note to authors/publishers: CONECA is interested in publishing news releases highlighting current stories published elsewhere that are associated with error-variety coins and/or the minting process. Interested authors/publishers are encouraged to send an abstract along with a photo or more and details of when and where the article was published to the CONECA webmaster at: conecawebsite@koinpro.com (please -- only email submissions).

Recent Finds ...
Is It The 1918-D 'No Monogram' Variety?

Image © Ken Potter 2007 / Coin courtesy of Edward Cook

August 09, 2008 (Updated September 13, 2008) -- Edward Cook of Ohio sent this coin in for a peek asking if it was the 'Without Monogram' variety (Breen#5139) that Walter Breen lists in his Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. & Colonial Coins. Unfortunately, I cannot be sure and as such my answer to Mr. Cook was: "Your 1918-D half dollar does appear to be the variety listed by Walter Breen without designer’s initials but I’d be hesitant to attribute it as such based on the coin’s grade. In my opinion, the coin has seen too much circulation wear for anybody to be 100% sure the initials were not “chased” away (filled in) via filling the voids with surrounding metal or even possibly wear alone. With that said however, I doubt this is the case; I just cannot prove it is good and thus must hedge some and call it a “no decision” coin that probably is what you think it is. Somebody more intimately familiar with the variety may be able to find some markers to prove it is the variety. "
So my question is, is there anybody that has a way of telling if this is indeed the No Monogram variety? If so, please contact me at conecawebsite@koinpro.com KP.

    September 13, 2008 -- Mark Harper wrote to say:
    "There maybe a way possible to find out if the voids have been filled. It is a NDT (will not damage the coin) method called Eddy Current. With the right probe and equipment you should be able to tell. Basically there is a electrical field introduced into the coin and it will create eddies in the coin. Now if you check (scan) a known good part of the coin and compare it to the area in question and the field does not change the area has not been filled in. But if it does move that means the probe and coin are no longer in a balanced state=Moved material/underlying flaw -etc.
    I have the knowledge of how to do it but I don't have the equipment. Very $$$. Things that you need to know: How deep and wide was the original monogram and how deep into the coin do you want to check? This will determine the frequency to use. The area to scan this will determine the probe size (not sure what the smallest probe size is. The area maybe to small?).
    Now the catch is if the area was ground away the change in balance would not happen but there should be a very noticeable dip in the coin!
    This would be the only way I would know unless you looked at the coin under much much higher power microscope to see if the metal was moved!"
    In a follow up email he said, "I just talked to an NDT expert. It is possible to check for the monogram under the surface. Two ways could work. One is eddy current as noted and the other is X-ray. A simple method of X-ray that may work is at the local dental office. With the new computer X-rays you get a picture right away with almost no cost. The only thing is that this type of X-ray may be to weak. But if it does work you should be able to see the faint out line in the coin (if it is there).
    I have been using NDT on my coins to look for fakes, for sorting, etc., (I use the equipment at work). I have found a Peace dollar that was made of lead. I have found fake trade dollars--wrong silver content, etc. I think that NDT has a very good place in the coin grading/authentication business. Do the major coin graders use NDT? If not I think I would like to help out the coin world.

Editor's Note: NDT (Non Destruct Testing) with a variety of tools is a technology I was trained in and used on a daily basis for years. While I am not necessarily convinced that a probe exists that is small enough to test the area in question or if it is sensitive enough to detect small alterations on a coin, I am convinced that there may be some applications for NDT available in coin authentication and perhaps in the manner that Mr. Harper describes above. Interesting thoughts! KP

In The News ...
'Smooth Edge' Monroe & Jackson Dollars Found
In Government-Issue Mint Sets

Images courtesy of ICG / Coins Courtesy of First Commemorative Mint
Here is a look at two of the 2008 Philadelphia minted Matte or Satin finish dollars found sans the edge inscription.

September 12, 2008 -- Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s time to rev up your motors for the race to search 2008 government issued Mint Sets for Plain Edge Presidential dollars! Plain-edge James Monroe and Andrew Jackson Presidential dollars are turning up in the 2008 annual uncirculated coin sets popularly called mint sets produced by the U.S. Mint. Independent Coin Grading Company of Englewood, Colo., reports finding at least four examples in the receiving department. Out of 5,000 sets searched by ICG personnel Stan Biggers and Yolanda Lopez, three James Monroe dollars and one Andrew Jackson dollar were found missing the edge inscription: “ . 2008 P . E PLURIBUS UNUM . IN GOD WE TRUST”. The sets were sent in for grading by First Commemorative Mint of Farmingdale, N.Y. It is reasonable to assume that other examples of the errors got out into collector hands in orders shipped out in recent weeks. More detailed stories on the finds can be found in the September 15 issue of Coin World and at the online Numismatic News and Numismaster links below.

See Rest Of Numismatic News Story
See The Numismaster Version Of The Story

September 12 Update: We have just learned from Michael White, U.S. Mint Office of Public Affairs, that the Philadelphia Mint was unaware of these pieces being released. His comments in an email were:
"The United States Mint at Philadelphia has no first hand evidence to confirm these reports. After striking, the Presidential dollar coins are transported to the edge letter machine approximately 10-feet from the press where they are struck, and are fed by hand into the edge lettering machine. After edge lettering, the Presidential dollar coins are bagged, with each bag containing documentation of the personnel that handled the coins, identifying the dies used, and the shift and date the coins were struck."
We have also learned from the First Commemorative Mint that no further smooth edge examples of these coins were found in an additional 1000 sets they submitted. However, they did report that there were some found with what they called "partial lettering."

Recent Finds ...
1973-S Dollar Found On A Copper-Nickel Clad Planchet

Images courtesy of Numismatic Guarantee Corporation

September 11, 2008 -- Numismatic Guarantee Corporation of Sarasota, Fla., has graded the first known example of a 1973-S uncirculated Ike dollar struck on a copper-nickel clad planchet. According to NGC, "Coins struck accidentally on planchets intended for other issues are known for quite a number of United States coin types, but they are rarely more spectacular than when occurring with dollar coins. This superb gem Eisenhower Dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint for inclusion in the series of "blue pack" silver-clad dollars offered by the U. S. Mint at $3 apiece from 1971 to 1974. At first glance it could almost pass for one of these silver-clad pieces, but inspection of its edge reveals the bright orange-red glow of a copper-nickel-clad planchet!"

See NGC Story

Read The Numismaster Story

Read the Numismatic News Online Story

In The News ...
1954-D Franklin Half Dollar Featured

Image © Ken Potter 2006 / Coin courtesy of Tom Sparks
The arrows point to the areas that Sparks feels may be an S (red arrow) and a D (black arrow).

September 07, 2008 -- A 1954-D Franklin half-dollar that Tom Sparks of WA feels may exhibit remnants of S and D Mintmarks is featured in the September 1, 2008 issue of Coin World. In the article, author Ken Potter says, "these aberrations could very well represent a Dual Mintmark or a Repunched Mintmark or both. However, an earlier die stage that shows more convincing proof of either possibility is necessary to its attribution." Potter, (who is CONECA's World Die Variety attributer), and most other die variety coin attributers designate any coin bearing two different Mintmarks (such as a D and S) that are totally separated from one another as a dual mintmark (DMM) while a few others still lump such varieties in with the Over Mintmarks (OMMs). Most attributers, define an OMM as a coin bearing two different Mintmarks that in someway overlap each other. Also featured in his September column are a 1988-D RPM cent submitted by Wali Motorwalla and a 1984 cent with strike doubling damage submitted by Paul Guzewicz.

Commercial News ...
Heritage Releases Top 10 Error List

A look at a 1999 Lincoln Cent Obverse/Roosevelt Dime Revere Mule

Images courtesy of Heritage Auction Galleries
This is a one-cent planchet that was struck and indented into a 1973-S Ike dollar.

September 07, 2008 -- For "This Week's Top Ten" feature Heritage Auction Galleries' August 30, 2008 eNewsletter offers their list of, "The highest value error coins Heritage has sold at auction." While the list is not 100% accurate as Heritage has sold some far higher priced errors than some of those appearing on this list, it is nonetheless interesting and the photos are treat to look at. So without further ado here they are:

1999 Lincoln Cent Obverse Die Muled With a Roosevelt Dime Reverse on a Lincoln Cent Planchet MS66 Red PCGS, sold for $138,000.
1859 Indian Cent--Obverse Struck on 1857 Half Dime--MS63 PCGS, sold for $71,875.
1862 Indian Cent--Obverse Die Cap--MS67 NGC, sold for $51,750.
Undated Washington Quarter--Double Struck With Two Reverse Dies and Indent--MS66 NGC, sold for $41,975.
1973-S Eisenhower Dollar--Indented by 1.73 gm Planchet, Mated Pair--PR67 and PR67 RB NGC, sold for $40,250.
1904 Double Eagle--Double Struck in Collar--MS63 PCGS, sold for $37,375.
1909 Indian Cent--Struck on 1906 Barber Dime--MS65 NGC, sold for $37,375.
1977-D Eisenhower Dollar--Obverse Die Cap--MS67 NGC, sold for $29,900.
1882-CC GSA Morgan Dollar--Double Struck, 5% Off Center--MS62 NGC. VAM-2, sold for $29,900.
1943 Lincoln Cent--Struck on a 1943 Mercury Dime--MS62 NGC, sold for $28,750.

In The News ...
Error-Variety Coins Featured In WWC & CW

September 02, 208 -- CONECA President Mike Diamond's contributions to World Wide Coins and Coin World were apparent in recent weeks. In his November 2008 WWC column he presents an overview on world doubled dies. One of the coins discussed is the well-known Mexican 1981/1982 20 centavos overdate which is actually a Class III doubled die.

In two back-to-back guest columns for Coin World's, Collector's Clearinghouse, he discusses two lesser-known errors. In the August 25, 2008 issue he talks about "stiff collar errors." These errors occur when an off-center planchet is driven past a collar frozen in the "up" position. This can result in a distorted coin or even one that is sheared in two. The photos shown here is of a quarter with a typical stiff collar error. The rounded shoulder on the face struck by the anvil die is characteristic. These errors are often misdiagnosed as simple broadstrikes, off-center strikes, misaligned die errors, or partial collar errors.

Images courtesy of Mike Diamond

In his second column (Sept. 1, 2008) he discusses "surface film effects." These develop when a planchet or coin is covered with a film of oil or grime. The double-struck 1999 cent shown here has a surface film afterimage. A nearly complete array of first-strike details is preserved as a shadow impression.

Commercial News ...
New Coin Clocks Feature Varieties

    September 01, 20008 -- Michael and Joy Rothwell of Iowa have come up with a new twist on the error-variety coin hobby. The idea incorporates coin designs into the face of a clock or what they refer to as CoinClocks™. Three of the clocks they currently offer include error-variety coins, the 1955 doubled die cent and the 2004-D Wisconsin quarters with leaf-like aberrations popularly known as the "High Leaf" and "Low Leaf" varieties. They also offer a line of clocks featuring normal coins plus they will produce custom clocks featuring any coin a collector desires.
    Michael Rothwell, 46, stated that the business of producing CoinClocks™ is an outgrowth of his wife , a commercial artist, being involved in an accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury. He said: "Since her accident in 2001, I have devoted myself to her care. In a nutshell, I've become retired as has my wife. We're doing our CoinClocks™ as a joint venture that allows me to use our computer to help my wife along in her recovery and maybe even generate a buck or two." So, with my love of coins (errors in particular) and her knowledge [of computers] we began to create a unique product involving coins. We are just beginning but have sold a few of our what I call "Type I's" on eBay [and from their website]. Those are a 10-inch plastic clock/cover for $25 including shipping. We will still make those, but have recently settled on a higher quality clock. This is a 14-inch aluminum clock with a real glass cover. It has a quartz movement and is very accurate."
    He says that the new 14-inch version is offered for $49.95 and includes the battery. The Rothwell's may be contacted by email at coinclocks@hotmail.com. You can visit their website at www.coinclocks.net.

In The News ...
'Monster' Spanish Doubled Die Featured

August 31, 2008 -- The lead coin featured in Ken Potter's latest, World Coin News, Visiting Varieties column is an extremely strong doubled die obverse on a Spanish 1960 (Series of 1957) 5 pesetas coin (the actual date of striking can be seen as a '60' within the star on the reverse). It was submitted by Robert Leszezak of NJ and listed in the Variety Coin Register on July 8, 2007 as VCR#3/DDR#2. Other coins featured include a 1952 Canadian fifty-cent piece with a doubled die obverse and a discussion offered by CONECA member Bob Johnson on a Colombian 1884/3 10 centavos overdate. He responded to a reader inquiry from a previous column where I asked for specialists in Columbian coins to verify it as a 4/3 or a 4/5. Johnson's in-depth analysis demonstrated that it was a 4/3. See the September 2008 issue of WCN for more images and further details on the featured coins.

Commercial News ...
Two New World E-V Books On The Market

August 29, 2008 -- I have received review copies of the two most recent books published on world errors and varieties that I’m aware of. The first one, The Book Of Canadian Coins And Their Varieties by Pierre Charest is an 8-12 x 11” spiral bound soft cover spanning 495 pages. It includes a look at all the repunched dates, doubled dies, date font/size/positional varieties, major design varieties, mules, etc., known to the author. The back of the book states that it covers 1600 plus different varieties and contains over 1800 images. The cost shipped to the United States is $38.95 including the postage. All others should consult Charest’s website for prices. It is also available as a CD. Order from: Charest Internet Inc, 412 des Pétunias, Victoriaville, Qc, Canada G6T 2E7. He may be contacted by phone at 1-(819) 357-5896 or by email at charest@boisfrancs.qc.ca. More information may be obtained from his website http://www.charest.qc.ca/book.

Authored by Carlos Abel Amaya Guerra, the hefty 440 page, 8-3/4 x 11-1/2” hardcover, Illustrated Price Guide Of The Modern Mexican Coins 1905 To Date – Including Errors And Varieties, is a gold mine of information on the series. Like the book above, it includes the popular overdates, repunched dates, doubled dies, date font/size/positional varieties, major design varieties, etc. It also contains a number of minor varieties such as prominent die breaks, cracks, etc., and a treatment of some of the more major errors such as off centers, double strikes, brokages, off metals, etc. Best of all, it is bilingual giving everything in English and Spanish throughout the entire book. Although prices are given in the book, it also comes with a separate 100 plus page 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 “ soft cover handbook that repeats the prices again and may be used as a checklist as it provides spaces to write in what the collector paid for a variety and what grade it was in. More information on ordering the book can be obtained by email at: Numisamaya@hotmail.com.

Members Share ...
More Of Those Fantastic Foreign Doubled Dies!

Images courtesy of Ron Pope

August 27, 2008 -- CONECA Member, Ron Pope, is back with more varieties for his continuing series of finds on foreign coins! The one featured this month is a Mexican 1978 20 centavos that exhibits very strong hub doubling on the obverse showing best in the lower wreath and cacti on the Mexican coat of arms! The die crack extending outward to the rim at about 8:00 o'clock (as shown in the lower image) acts as a "marker" for this stage of the variety. Look for more of his finds here: Foreign Errors & Varieties. Enjoy! KP

Commercial News ...
1831 Quarter Eagle Struck On 10c Planchet
Found In Bag Of Silver

Images courtesy of Heritage Auctions

August 16, 2008 -- Heritage Auctions is offering one of the most interesting wrong planchet errors that we've heard of in years. What is perhaps most unusual is how it was found. According to the description in Heritage Auction#1116: "This piece entered the channels of commerce and circulated as a dime for many years. Only recently and after 54 points of wear [it grades Good-6] did someone notice that the design was inconsistent with that of an 1831 dime. This piece was found in a bag of silver in North Texas, in May of this year. It is always interesting to scan the "Found in Rolls" column in Coin World. Foreign coins, tokens, silver coins are constantly found in rolls. But an 1831 quarter eagle struck on a dime planchet in a bag of silver? This is the second example of this off-metal striking that is known."

Read More About It Here

In The News ...
Collector Finds Wyoming Doubled Dies

August 12, 2008 -- According to a Numismatic News story, Andy Turnbull of Pennsylvania sent in three different hub doubled die varieties on the reverse of the 2007-P Wyoming state quarter. All three varieties involve the lower portion of saddle horn where a secondary image of that design element can be seen to the south to a greater or lesser degree.

See The Rest The Story Here

ERRORAMA 2008 Report
By Al Raddi

Image courtesy of Al Raddi

August 08, 2008 -- The fun started on Wednesday July 30, 2008 as members gathered and renewed friendships at the CONECA table at the American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money at the convention center in Baltimore.
Our club table was busy. We gave away 100 back issues of Errorscope and an equal number of error and variety coins (donated by Mike Diamond and Eileen Crawford), signed up eight new members and provided plenty of expert advice to show goers. Lee Gong sold three club shirts and donated the proceeds to the club's Young Numismatists fund.

See The Rest Of Story & Photos

Recent Finds ...
Clash Mark Common But Educational

August 06, 2008 -- This interesting 1922 Peace dollar came in that boasts what at first glance appears to be fairly prominent die break on the reverse to the right of the olive branch just below the word dollar. However, it is not a die break! According to Society of Silver Dollar Collectors, President, Ash Harrison and CONECA Silver Dollar Attributer, Michael S Fey, this is a die clash. Harrison said that this is, " ... one of many 1922's with that mark. It is a clash mark and quite common throughout the series. It would not be listed as a VAM solely on that mark." So if you found one of these and thought it was a die break, now you know better. Paul Guzewicz of Mass., submitted the coin in January 2007. Read more about die clashes here: CONECA Glosssary

CONECA News ...
CONECA Members:Time For Elections!

August 06, 2008 -- All CONECA members should be looking for their 2008 election ballot in with the September-October 2008 issue of ErrorScope. It will be enclosed as a separate insert in the bi-monthly publication. Your ballot must be postmarked by December 1st 2008 and returned to the address indicated on your ballot. EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS - VOTE!

CONECA News ...
CONECA To Attend The Central Florida Coin Club Show

August 03, 2008 -- "CONECA will be at the Central Florida Coin Club show. The show dates are from September 5th through the 7th, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. If you have an interesting coin that you are not quite sure what it is, bring it to this show and have a CONECA representative take a look at it. We are offering free verbal attributions on error and variety coins.
The show is located at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, Building "C" on West Colonial Dr. (RT # 50), Orlando, Florida. For more information see; www.centralfloridacoinclub.org"

Recent Finds ...
Collector Finds Clash On 2007 Cent

August 03, 2008 -- Ray Mobley of FL submitted the 2007 Clashed Die Lincoln cent shown here. It shows best as a rectangular area below Lincoln’s ear. While most clashes are generally considered fairly minor they are interesting and fun to collect. Read more about die clashes here: CONECA Glosssary

CONECA Club News ...
CONECA Celebrates With 25th Anniversary Medals Program
Medals Now Available!

A look at some of the normal and mis- strikes being offered!

    The Combined Organizations Of Numismatic Error Collectors Of America proudly announces its 25th Anniversary Celebration of commemorative medals! There are a total of five different versions of the medal including three normal and two mis-strikes. They were struck a diameter of 39 mm and are offered in 1oz .999 pure silver, silver-clad, and golden-bronze. The silver-clad version of the normal medal is identical to the silver version in all outward physical appearances only differing in weight, which is 26.4 grams, (the mis-strikes, of course, expanded beyond the normal 39 mm size).
    The CONECA Logo is featured on the obverse along with a special 25th Anniversary design on the reverse. They are offered as normal strikes in pure silver, silver clad and golden-bronze and as Off-Center and Double-Strikes in silver-clad. The exact mintage of the medals will be determined by the number of collectors who order by the closing date or a total mintage of 300 for each format - whichever comes first. A portion of the donation to CONECA in purchasing these medals may be tax deductible. Documentation of your donation will be sent with each order.
    While early-bird orders from CONECA members will be accepted effective immediately, the official order period for non-members starts on July 30 with the kick-off of the club's annual Errorama celebration held each year in conjunction with the American Numismatic Association's Summer Convention -- The World's Fair Of Money where the medals will also be available to those who want to pick them up. The closing date for ordering the medals will be July 31, 2009.
    Order limits are five medals per person in each striking format in any combination ordered. Prices are as follows: .999 1oz. pure silver version $36.00 each, silver-clad and golden-bronze two-piece set $19.95, off center and double strike silver-clad two-piece set $29.95, complete five-piece set of all medals $84.00. Optional cherry wood presentation cases for complete sets with the medals encapsulated in air-tite holders are available at $59.00 each or velvet presentation cases with encapsulation at $25.00 each. For domestic shipping, add $3.50 for one medal, $3.75 for two medals, $4.50 for three or more medals. Add $3 per Presentation Case. Foreign orders please contact B.J. Neff for exact charges.
    The Double-Strikes were produced in a variety of "types" including: first-strike-normal with second-strike-off-center, both-strikes-off-center and some flip-over double-strikes. Persons ordering more than one Double-Strike in either ordering format will be given the greatest variety possible.
    All mail orders should be directed to: CONECA 25th Anniversary Medals Program, c/o Robert "BJ" Neff, 321 Kingslake Drive, Debary, FL 32713. All checks and money orders should be made payable to CONECA.

Click Here For A Printable Order Form

In The News ...
Major Die Crack Reported on Proof Bald Eagle 50c

August 01, 2008 -- According to an August 12 Numismatic News story, Daniel Sanger of Maryland has reported the first proof, non-circulating type commemorative coin with a major die crack. He found it on a 2008-S Bald Eagle half dollar. Other coins new to NN's continuing list of die cracks on proof coins are a 2005-S clad dime, a 2006-S clad Colorado state quarter and our first Spiked Head report for a 1999-S Kennedy half dollar.

See The Numismatic News Story Here

See More Spiked Head and Other Proof Die Cracks

In The News ...
Bronze 1943-S 'Rediscovered'

Images courtesy of Numismatic Guarantee Corporation

    August 01, 2008 -- A previously unrecorded 1943-S Lincoln cent, erroneously struck on a bronze planchet and found in circulation over a half century ago, has been acquired by Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, California. The discovery coin now is certified as AU-53 by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. "The coin was found in 1944 by architect Kenneth S. Wing Jr. of Long Beach, California who was assembling a set of Lincoln cents at the time," said Steven L. Contursi, President of Rare Coin Wholesalers (www.RCW1.com).
    Wing co-designed the terminal building for the Long Beach Municipal Airport in 1940 and the Long Beach Arena in the late 1950s.
    "When his heirs recently asked me to examine the coin, I doubted it was genuine. But then I got a magnet and was surprised when the coin did not stick to it. So, on behalf of Mr. Wing's heirs I submitted it for certification," Contursi explained.
    "It's delightful and amazing there are still examples of great numismatic rarities to be 'discovered' and reported to the hobby."
    A week after buying the coin, Contursi publicly displayed the 1943-S bronze cent at the American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money® in Baltimore. To honor the memory of the coin's finder and the family that owned it for 64 years, he requested that NGC include the notation on the encapsulation insert label, "Kenneth S. Wing Jr. Coll."
    "The 1943 bronze Lincoln cent really transcends a wrong planchet error. Today, it's widely considered to be a classic twentieth century rarity, more kin to a transitional type, and now is collected as part of the regular series by devoted Lincoln cent enthusiasts," commented Dave Camire, President of Numismatic Conservation Services and a mint error consultant to NGC.
    "This piece is particularly important because it's from San Francisco, a scarcer mint for the issue compared to better-known Philadelphia Mint specimens. This coin is also a recent discovery to the numismatic community," Camire stated.
    Common zinc-coated steel cents will stick to a magnet but the handful of known 1943-dated Lincoln cents mistakenly struck in bronze (in this case, an alloy of 95 percent copper and 5 percent tin and zinc) will not. The zinc-coated steel metallic composition was used in 1943 to conserve copper that was needed for U.S. efforts in World War II.
    "When I purchased the coin I also received Mr. Wing's interesting file of correspondence dating back to 1946 as he tried to verify the coin's authenticity. Some of the responses he received from the Mint, the Smithsonian Institution and well-known dealer of the era, Abe Kosoff, may seem a little humorous today."
    In a letter to Wing dated August 20, 1946, Acting Director of the Mint Leland Howard wrote: "In reference to your letter of August 11th, there were no copper cents struck during the calendar year 1943 at any of the coinage Mints. Only the zinc coated steel cent was struck during that year."
Today, though, the hobby is aware of more than a dozen 1943 bronze cents with at least one example known from each of the Mints producing Lincoln cents that year: Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco.
Contursi acquired the coin and correspondence for $72,500. The letters from and to Wing indicate he tried for decades to get information about his historic, off-metal cent.
    Wing wrote to Encino, California dealer Kosoff on October 3, 1958: "In 1948, on a trip to San Francisco, it (the coin) was shown to the Director of the mint and his 'private' opinion was that of authenticity. In 1957, my Father was in Washington, DC, (sic) he attempted to have the Treasury Department examine it, however, they refused and referred him to the Smithsonian Institution."
In his response dated October 8, 1958, Kosoff replied: "It would be of prime importance to determine, beyond any doubt, that your 1943-S Cent is a genuine one. This would require a number of tests and the outlay of considerable cash."
    Additional correspondence regarding the coin's journey to Washington with Wing's father is a June 18, 1957 letter from V. Clain-Stefanelli, Curator of the Division of Numismatics at the Smithsonian in which he wrote: "The authenticity of this piece is in my opinion beyond doubt. In fact, as you certainly recall, Mr. Mendel L. Peterson, Acting Head Curator of the Department of History, fully concurred in this opinion."
    Contursi said his recently-acquired 1943 bronze Lincoln cent is quite special for him. "Of all the million dollar coins I've bought or sold - from Brasher Doubloons to the King of Siam set - this is the first 1943 'copper penny' I've ever owned!"
    For additional information, contact Rare Coin Wholesalers, P.O. Box 3873, Dana Point, CA 92629. Phone: (800) 347-3250. E-mail: RCWcoins@rcw1.com. Online: www.rcw1.com.

See The Numismatic News Story

See The CoinNews.Net Story

In The News ...
Die Breaks, Clashes, Feeder Damage, etc., Featured

Image © Ken Potter 2008 / Coin courtesy of Fred Weinberg
A 2003-P Arkansas 25c with strike-through areas and feeder die-damage.

Images © Ken Potter 2008 / Coin courtesy of Philip Buttermore
A deep strike-through on this 2008-P New Mexico 25c might be traced to feeder die-damage.

August 01, 2008 -- Philip Buttermore of Pennsylvania sent in a very interesting strike-through error on a 2008-P New Mexico quarter. The strike-through is displayed on the obverse as a deep trench that runs diagonally from the central region of Washington's neck and through the word LIBERTY. One of the interesting characteristics of this coin is the pattern of parallel scrape marks that appear in the recesses of the strike-through.

See The Numismatic News Story

In The News ...
Centrally Located Doubled Dies Featured

The upper section of an extra claw can be seen just above the Beaver's foot on this
Canadian 1965 five-cent piece. It is one of three different "extra claw" varieties
now listed in the Variety Coin Register for the country/date/denomination.

    August 01, 2008 -- Ken Potter's August installment of Coin World's, Varieties Notebook column features a look at three different centrally located doubled dies that all occurred prior to the full implementation of the single-squeeze hubbing process of making dies in the US and Canada. He points out that the discovery of secondary images restricted to the center of the design on the 2005-dated Minnesota State quarters in 2006 led collectors to begin searching other recent issues for such aberrations which resulted in many finds ranging from cents through dollars. Potter states, "After a time, many observers started to think that restrictive centralized hub doubling was a phenomenon applicable only to single-squeeze era coinage. However, as I have stated before, and must emphasize again, centralized doubling is nothing new; the limited-pressure titled-hub theory I advanced for single-squeeze doubled dies is a phenomenon that most probably applies to the multiple hubbing era as well. With this in mind some astute cherrypickers are starting to take a closer look at coins produced prior to the full implementation of single-squeeze, hoping to find centralized doubling where nobody has bothered to look so far."
    He leads off his examination with a look at a Canadian 1965 five-cent piece with an "extra claw" on the beaver's foot. It is one of three different 1965 5c "extra claw" doubled die varieties reported by Jerry Kennison of Portland, OR who decided to check the center area of the design for doubling.
    Other coins featured are a 1992 Lincoln cent with a doubled eyelid and the newest Canadian 1974 nickel dollar doubled die with an "extra yoke" over the ox's collar.

In The News ...
'Monster' Malaysian Doubled Die Featured