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.
The 1974 Aluminum Cent is famous in the history of U.S. numismatics. It was intended to replace the copper-zinc cent due to rising production costs. The present coin, a Proof minted in San Francisco is struck on a Nepalese coin. It is believed unique and is likely one of only two Aluminum 1974 Cents legal to own (the other being a uniface reverse on Philippines planchet).
I recently handled the other legal to own 1974-S Lincoln Cent. It is a spectacular and unique 1974 San Francisco Mint aluminum cent was only struck by the obverse die (uniface). The planchet was intended for a Philippine 1 Sentimo, which were struck by the San Francisco Mint in 1974. There are no authorized U.S. coins that were struck in aluminum for circulation. In 1974, Lincoln Cents were composed of 95% copper and 5% zinc. Since 1982, they are composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper.
