Unique Numismatic Discovery:
Uncancelled Proof Die From The Philadelphia Mint

This uncancelled proof obverse die was made at the U.S Mint in Philadelphia and struck proof gold Costa Rica 1897 2 Colones. This die is a unique numismatic discovery and was previously unpublished and unknown. It was just authenticated and certified by NGC.

The Costa Rica 1897 2 Colones is a world-class rarity and a very famous Latin American gold coin. It was only struck in proof with a recorded mintage of 500. There are only seven examples accounted for to date, including one in the Smithsonian Collection. The only example to cross the auction block in the last half century is the damaged example from the Cecil Webster Collection that was sold by Heritage Auctions. Experts on Latin American coinage estimate that if one of these were to surface and be sold or auctioned today, it would bring over $75,000.

Uncancelled Costa Rica Dies produced at the Philadelphia Mint are extremely rare. The only other uncanceled dies known in private hands are a pair of 1897 10 Colones obverse and reverse dies and a pair of 1897 20 Colones obverse and reverse dies. Click here to read more about these incredibly rare uncancelled dies.

1897 Costa Rica 10 Colones Uncancelled Obverse & Reverse Dies

1897 Costa Rica 20 Colones Uncancelled Obverse & Reverse Dies

The Costa Rica Central Bank Museum lists two 1897 20 Colones dies and four undated 10 Colones dies in their collection. No dies or coins for the extremely rare proof 1897 2 Colones are listed in their collection! It is amazing that this 125 year old uncancelled die survived. It is in excellent condition considering its age and the fact that it was a working die striking 500 proof gold coins.

The U.S. Mint in Philadelphia exclusively struck gold coinage for only five foreign countries including Costa Rica. In 1906, the Philadelphia Mint also struck the Mexico Gold 5 Pesos, but the dies were made in Mexico and the coins were struck both in the U.S. and Mexico. Mint Error News published an extensive 69 page report on foreign coins struck at the U.S. Mint. Click here for a PDF of the 69 page report.

This uncancelled Costa Rica 1897 2 Colones proof obverse die is a historic numismatic discovery and a unique treasure worthy of display in a coin museum or the finest coin collection.

KM# 139 2 Colones 1.5560g., 0.900 Gold 0.045oz. AGW Obv: National arms Rev: Bust of Colombus right 1897 Mintage 500 The only example to cross the auction block in the last half century is this damaged example from the Cecil Webster Collection that was sold by Heritage Auctions in 2013 (lot #27086).

Featured on the cover of
Mint Error News Magazine Issue 74: