The following mint errors sold in the February 27 - March 2, 2025 Long Beach US Coins Signature® Auction #1381.
Images Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com
1867 Five Cent Muling in Nickel
Unique Judd-575
PR45 PCGS
Sold For: $13,200.00
1867 5C Five Cents, Judd-575, Pollock-631, Unique, PR45 PCGS. The obverse is a larger adaptation of the three cent nickel design, while the reverse is the No Rays Shield nickel design. Struck in nickel with a plain edge. The reverse die used that of 1866, as indicated by the star above CENTS that points between the E and N and another that points between the T and S. Some five cent patterns produced around this time were apparently produced outside the Mint, and such pieces are generally attributed to Joseph Mickley. However, this piece is without suspicion because of the Reverse of 1866 that was used. This particular muling is unique. Curiously, it either escaped into circulation or was carried for years by its owner as a pocket piece. The surfaces are nickel-gray with numerous abrasions present and no trace of the original proof fields remains. An important opportunity for the pattern specialist.
Ex: William Rau Collection / Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2018), lot 4490.
1879 Indian Cent
Struck on a Foreign Planchet
AU58 PCGS
Sold For: $13,200.00
1879 Indian Cent -- Struck on a Foreign Planchet -- AU58 PCGS. Eagle Eye Photo Seal. 49.4 grains. The PCGS insert provides the metallurgical breakdown as 74% copper, 25% nickel, 0.5% aluminum, and 0.5% iron, and states the coin was struck on a Columbian 5 centavos planchet. The U.S. Mint did not strike 5 centavos (or any other denomination) for Columbia until 1902, and Columbia did not strike copper-nickel 5 centavos until 1886. During the 1870s, Columbia 5 centavos were struck in silver alloys of .666 fine or 0.835 fine, and had a weight and diameter too small to provide a planchet for the present lot. Thus, the source of the unusual planchet is unknown. It is too heavy for a three cent nickel. Struck aligned with the collar die at 3 o'clock, with a sharp strike on the right sides and centers. The left-side dentils and UNITED STATES are softly brought up. The pale wheat-gold surfaces are smooth and satiny, and show substantial luster. The present lot might be Judd-1583, the former pattern variety recently delisted as a mint error. Judd-1583, believed to be unique, appeared in various auction catalogs between 1908 and 1987 but was not photographed in any of them.
