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UNIQUE GOLD QUARTER
1970-S Proof Washington 25¢
Overstruck on 1898 Liberty $5 Gold Coin
8.3 Grams
NGC PF 66


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indentThis U.S. GOLD QUARTER is far and beyond the most incredible modern U.S. mint error ever to be discovered. The closest six figure modern U.S. mint error is the famous $1 Sacagawea/Quarter Mule, of which there are over 20 known and sell for between 100k and 250k.

indentThis Proof Gold Washington Quarter was overstruck on an 1898 $5 Liberty gold coin. Under magnification, the date (1898) is fully visible on the reverse above the words QUARTER DOLLAR. Part of the detail from the $5 Liberty design is visible on both the obverse and reverse. It is in gem proof condition and it is amazing that after 50 years, it still looks like it was struck yesterday.

indentProof coins are struck by technicians who hand feed the blanks into special presses. They are produced, examined and packaged using extreme quality control. It is very unusual to find major proof errors. A few broadstrikes, off-centers, double strikes (in collar) and off-metals have been known to be found in sealed proof sets. Proof errors are aggressively sought after by many error collectors.

indentThere are no equals in the history of modern U.S. coins. This is the only modern issued U.S. coin that was struck as a mint error in GOLD, whether on a blank or previously struck on a U.S. gold coin.

indentRecently, a U.S. 1913 Buffalo Nickel struck in gold on a $5 Indian planchet sold for $400,000. Also recently, one of two known Pan Pac Half Dollars struck in gold sold for $750,000.

indentThere are also 6 U.S. Indian Head Cents known that were struck on $2½ gold planchets, certified by either PCGS or NGC. These are valued from 250k to 400k and are seldom offered for sale.

indentThis unique U.S. Gold Quarter, authenticated and certified by NGC PR 66, belongs as the centerpiece and highlight of any collection of U.S. mint errors or unique numismatic rarities.

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Here is an overlay outlining the 1898 date from $5 Liberty design:

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Exotic and Intentional U.S. Error Coins In The Marketplace

One of the most controversial categories of U.S. coins are mint errors. Many dealers and collectors, as well as coin auction houses, buy, sell, trade and auction many rare, exotic and unique major mint errors. Obviously, some of these defy logic and were intentionally created and taken out of the Mint.

In the early 2000's, a group of several hundred U.S. error coins were found in a safe-deposit box. Fred Weinberg purchased this group which included coins struck for proof sets and also coins struck for circulation. This group was auctioned by the California State Controller's Office of Unclaimed Property. The U.S. Secret Service inspected and released this collection to the State of California determining that it was legal to own. The State of California then auctioned the collection and the rest is history.

Another example of U.S. error coins escaping the Mint occurred in the 1970's. A hoard of proof error coins were smuggled out of the San Francisco Mint inside the oil pans of forklifts that were being serviced outside of the Mint. This topic was discussed in the June 6, 2022 Issue of Coin World, which covered Fred Weinberg's account of this story. The Coin World Managing Editor concluded:

Obviously, the marketplace accepts these coins, and some collectors are happy paying thousands of dollars for coins that show every indication of having been created through illegal means.

In Episode 11 of the PCGS video series Slab Lab, Seth Chandler interviews Fred Weinberg. In part 2 of the interview, Fred explains in detail why mint errors that are decades old are not recovered by the U.S. Mint. Fred's recollection of conversations in his office with the Chief of the U.S. Mint Police are extremely insightful and explain why the Mint doesn't attempt to recover error coins from decades ago.




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