These uncancelled obverse and reverse dies was made at the U.S Mint in Philadelphia and struck Costa Rica 1897 10 Colones and 20 Colones gold coins. These dies were just authenticated and certified by NGC and are unique in private hands. Uncancelled Costa Rica Dies produced at the Philadelphia Mint are extremely rare.

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 these 125 year old uncancelled dies survived. They are in excellent condition considering their age and the fact that they were working dies. The only other uncanceled die known in private hands is a unique proof obverse die for the extremely rare 1897 2 Colones. Click here to read more about this unique discovery.

1897 Costa Rica 2 Colones Uncancelled Proof Obverse Die

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 PDF on foreign coins struck at the U.S. Mint. Click here for a PDF of the 69 page report.

These uncancelled Costa Rica 1897 10 Colones and 20 Colones dies are historic numismatic treasures and worthy of display in a coin museum or the finest coin collection.

KM# 140 10 Colones 7.78g., 0.900 Gold 0.2251 oz. AGW Obv: National arms Rev: Bust of Colombus right 1897 Mintage 60,000 A 1897 10 Colones certified MS 64 by NGC sold for $2,585.00 in a 2013 Heritage Auction (lot #27097).

KM# 141 20 Colones 15.56g., 0.900 Gold 0.4502 oz. AGW Obv: National arms Rev: Bust of Colombus right 1897 Mintage 20,000 A 1897 20 Colones certified MS 64+ by NGC sold for $6,000.00 in a 2023 Heritage Auction (lot #33510).

Featured in Mint Error News Magazine Issue 74: