Private U.S. Mints and in house metal refineries have numbered in the dozens over the years. Major minting errors from silver rounds to gambling tokens are very popular and eagerly sought by collectors. Erratic record keeping of mintage numbers and identifying which private mint produced major errors can be a challenge to research. It is in-fact on occasion impossible because many rounds and tokens were struck with no identification such as a specific mint's name or privy mark, or mintmark.

The first is a fantastic mule error. It is a 1 oz silver round with the obverse depicting Hollywood star John Wayne wearing a Cavalry hat. It was struck with the wrong reverse die commemorating another Hollywood celebrity, Marilyn Monroe. The reverse die with the design of 'Hollywood Comedy and Tragedy' is correct; however the die with "MARILYN MONROE 1926-1962" was mismatched with the John Wayne obverse die. The correct reverse die is "THE DUKE" and "JOHN WAYNE 1907-1979."





These Hollywood celebrity silver rounds were struck in the mid 1980's by the Crown Mint (CM) located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Over the last 25 year I have seen only two other mule silver rounds from this particular Hollywood celebrity series.

Next, is a 1 oz Prospector & Conestoga Wagon silver round. It is a huge capped die strike with a full mirror brockage of the obverse design on the reverse. This is a very 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.





Lastly, is an attractively toned 1983 (No Date) 1 oz Chinese Giant Panda silver round. It is broadstruck and exhibits a strong partial collar. It was struck by the American Medallion Corporation (AMC) for a number of years both with and without dates. Well known in the 1980's, AMC minted a great assortment of thematic rounds including DC Comics and Marvel Comics superheroes. AMC also minted silver rounds in a series honoring entertainers, patriots, and mythological creatures. AMC was based in Houston, TX and ceased operations in 1989.