Bringing the latest mint error news to the collector. Also featuring Die Trials, Patterns, Test Pieces, Numismatic Rarities, Currency Errors and Discoveries from the U.S. Mint.
This is the only known U.S. regular issued coin of ANY denomination that was struck with two obverse dies (two-headed). It stands alone as a major U.S. numismatic rarity and proves that a U.S. two-headed coin exists! There are three known U.S. regular issued coins struck with two reverse dies. Fred Weinberg sold a two-tailed Washington Quarter for $75,000 and a two-tailed Roosevelt Dime for $45,000. The third known two-tailed was a Washington Quarter that sold in a Heritage Auction for $41,975.
Fred Weinberg stated that:
"this amazing unique major mint error is the only known U.S. two-headed coin. It is very dramatic since both sides are identical, having been struck with two obverse dies."
Although slightly weakly struck, it is in gem condition and was certified and authenticated by PCGS as MS 65. It is exciting that this unique and spectacular major mint error survived the minting process. This unique mule was authenticated and certified by PCGS in 2016.
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.
