Private U.S. Mints and in-house metal refineries have numbered in the dozens over the years. Major mint errors from silver rounds to gambling tokens are very popular and are eagerly sought out by collectors. Erratic record keeping of mintage numbers and identifying which private mint produced major errors can be a challenge to research.

The first error is a dramatic Indian/Buffalo 1 Oz silver round struck by RM (Republic Metals Corporation). It is a large die cap that was double struck and indented on the reverse face. A large strip of retained detached reeding was sheared off after subsequent strikes and was eventually gathered and struck into the obverse face multiple times.





Republic Metals is no longer operational. They were reputed for high quality product and low premiums due to their in-house refinery. Its former location was in Miami, Florida and is no longer operational.

Next, is a rare 2 Oz silver round which is struck off-center.




This "Snowy Christmas Holiday" silver round was struck by the WMC (World Mint Corporation). WMC was located out of Phoenix, Arizona during the early/mid 1970's. They produced a variety of high-quality silver bars and coins and are no longer operational. Major errors on any 2 Oz silver rounds are seldom encountered.

The numerals and words "2 TROY OUNCES 999 SILVER" are absent because of the off-center error.

Next, a super nice 1981 off-center 1 Oz silver round. It was struck from the former U.S. Strategic Stock Pile located at the U.S. Assay Office in San Francisco, California.





CC (Continental Coin and Jewelry Company) struck both silver rounds and silver bars in 1981 after making multiple purchases of silver from the U.S. Assay Office in the late 70's and early 80's. Still operational, CC is located in Van Nuys, California.

Interestingly, this silver has direct ties to the Manhattan Project going back to 1942 and the coming of the atomic age during WWII. Copper was preferred to split isotopes however; it was in severe shortage to support the war effort. A team of scientists instead found a way to split isotopes using silver. Many 1,000-pound silver bars were approved for release from the West Point Depository to accomplish the mission.

Next, a large and heavy (35.4 grams) $5 brass Rainbow Casino gambling token struck off-center. Major errors of this size and denomination are rarely encountered. This gambling token was minted by NCM (Nevada Coin Mart) which was started in the late 1960's and is still operational. NCM is located in Las Vegas, Nevada.





Lastly, we have a 1 Oz Prospector & Conestoga Wagon silver round. It is a dramatic triple strike with strong underlying design elements from the first and second strike. This is a popular silver round with any major errors being quickly snapped up by collectors. I haven't been successful in finding the private mint that struck these silver rounds. If anyone has information, please do share.