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 a unique 1701-C ½ LD’OR struck off-center on a 1694 ½ LD’OR.
The C Mint Mark is the designation for French coins struck in Caen. Neither Krause nor any French reference books or catalogs show any ½ LD’OR struck in Caen in 1701. We contacted several well known world gold experts and none had seen or knew of any ½ LD’OR struck in Caen in 1701.
This could be a test piece, pattern or presentation strike, using the reverse die with the C Mint Mark. Since these were not struck in 1701, it might be due to the unavailability of blank planchets. This would explain why one piece was overstruck on a 1694 ½ LD’OR. The fact that it is off-center also indicates other striking and logistical problems that may have occurred at Caen during 1701. Unique.
