The following world gold brockage mint errors realized record prices in Heritage auctions.
Images Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com
Victoria gold Mint Error Obverse Brockage
1/2 Sovereign 1876 MS64 NGC
Sold For: $31,200.00
Victoria gold Mint Error - Obverse Brockage 1/2 Sovereign 1876 MS64 NGC, KM735.2, S-3860D, Marsh-453. Rarely do we find ourselves with the opportunity to handle any errors of Victoria's reign, but to find three prominent prominent gold examples within a single sale is practically unheard of. This visually engaging specimen boasts a coveted obverse brockage error, exhibiting dual young portraits of the monarch. Likely an early-stage brockage 1/2 Sovereign, featuring the Queen's portrait on the obverse and, due to a previous coin reaming stuck to the upper die, her mirrored image on the reverse. While brockage errors do come to market from time to time, rarely are they in this advanced a state of preservation, dressed in a full aurous brilliance marred by the occasional handling wisp. Of particular note, the piece, despite its obvious error, is the sole finest certified for this date across both major grading services, a fact certain to engage the collector of this ever-contested niche in British numismatics.
Napoleon I gold Obverse Mirror Brockage
40 Francs ND (1807-1813) XF45 NGC
Sold For: $13,200.00
Napoleon I gold Obverse Mirror Brockage 40 Francs ND (1807-1813) XF45 NGC, Type of KM688.1, or KM696.1. The mint is unknown. The obverses of these two types are virtually identical, therefore we will list both KM numbers. This is a truly startling error, as gold errors of any type are rare, and a full, bold mirror brockage of this 40 Franc type is possibly unique. The details are superb, with minor contact marks and the brockage side is truly amazing. The only example we have seen.
Ex. Abe Kosoff Estate Auction (Bowers and Merena, November 4-6 1985, Lot 5733, with original auction tag)
Napoleon gold Mint Error 20 Francs L'An 12 (1803/04)-A
AU55 NGC, Paris mint, KM651
Sold For: $12,000.00
Napoleon gold Mint Error 20 Francs L'An 12 (1803/04)-A AU55 NGC, Paris mint, KM651. Mirror brockage on reverse. For the type, anything approaching Mint State appearance would easily be considered desirable. Almost never encountered in gold, the fact that the chirality of this brockage is so profound only further supplements the intriguing allure. Fundamentally pleasing surfaces, one of a kind character, and what is sure to be a conversation piece in its future owner's collection.
William & Mary gold "brockage" Guinea 1694, S3426 type,
VF30 Mint Error Brockage on Reverse NGC
Sold For: $11,500.00
William & Mary gold "brockage" Guinea 1694, S3426 type, VF30 Mint Error Brockage on Reverse NGC, a really unusual find, so we will let our photos do the talking here.
Victoria young head Full Brockage sovereign,
1856. S-3852D. MS63 PCGS
Sold For: $10,925.00
Victoria young head Full Brockage sovereign, 1856. S-3852D. MS63 PCGS, designated Full Brockage Reverse. A dramatic and extremely rare mint error! A full portrait impression, deeply impressed incuse, cupped with a high rim, is in place of the normal reverse. It glows with luster! A tiny "test scratch" about 5mm long appears to left of the incuse date. Flip it over, and the normal obverse, portrait side, also just glows with luster and is slightly reflective. This is a simply magnificent gold error, worth whatever it takes to secure it. Only a few exist, and this is possibly unique for this date.
Victoria gold Mint Error 1/2 Sovereign 1880 MS61 PCGS
Sold For: $9,987.50
Victoria gold Mint Error 1/2 Sovereign 1880 MS61 PCGS, Royal mint, KM735.1 (for type). Likely an early-stage brockage 1/2 Sovereign, featuring the Queen's portrait on the obverse and, due to a previous coin reaming stuck to the upper die, her mirrored image on the reverse. Everything about this piece captivates--from the boldly detailed elements to the delicately-smooth, lustrous surfaces--and the eye is never disappointed. Error coins that survive are almost always rare since most of them are destroyed before they have the chance to leave the mint, so to see a gold brockage of this caliber is truly remarkable.
Franz Joseph I Mint Error - Obverse Brockage
gold 4 Ducat ND (1872-1915) MS65 PCGS
Sold For: $9,600.00
Franz Joseph I Mint Error - Obverse Brockage gold 4 Ducat ND (1872-1915) MS65 PCGS, KM2276, Fr-1164. An extremely rare error striking, the reverse bearing Franz Joseph's portrait in incuse. The production standards for gold are generally far stricter than other metals, and as such it is a wonder that such a piece left the mint at all; from its gem level preservation, it was presumably noticed and put aside very soon after production. Fully reflective and Prooflike, the obverse deserving of a 'cameo' level for its frosted portrait, a true gem that would serve as the centerpiece for any collection of error coins.
Victoria Mint Error - Full 1st Strike Obverse Brockage
gold 1/2 Sovereign 1853 MS62 PCGS
Sold For: $9,300.00
Victoria Mint Error - Full 1st Strike Obverse Brockage gold 1/2 Sovereign 1853 MS62 PCGS, cf. KM735.1 (for type), S-3859. An always scarce gold brockage mint error of a 1/2 Sovereign displaying an incuse mirror image impression of obverse on reverse of coin. Remarkably few such pieces survive down to the present day--most rarely escaping the quality controls of the mint--with those few that do regularly having suffered from damage. An early date for such an error, with those we've previously handled dating to the 1870s, and as such, should be a prime target for the error specialist.
George III Mint Error - Obverse Brockage
gold 1/2 Sovereign 1817 AU55 PCGS
Sold For: $8,100.00
George III Mint Error - Obverse Brockage gold 1/2 Sovereign 1817 AU55 PCGS, KM673, S-3786. An extremely rare error type for the gold issues of George III's reign. Though one occasionally sees brockages in silver, this is not so for the Sovereigns and Half-Sovereigns of the period, rendering this barely circulated example as one of the highest scarcity. A full incuse mirror impression of the obverse design is displayed to the true reverse, while ample aurous luster and sharp detail confirm that this specimen was pulled from circulation not long after entering exchange.
George I gold Mint Error Brockage
Guinea ND (1716-1723) VF25 NGC
Sold For: $7,200.00
George I gold Mint Error Brockage Guinea ND (1716-1723) VF25 NGC, S-3631. A piece so remarkable that NGC even felt the need to present the mirrored brockage as the obverse and rightfully so. Considering the stringent quality measures placed on the type, the mere existence of this piece demands attention, and would undoubtedly be a conversation piece in its future owner's collection.
Victoria young head Full Brockage sovereign,
1872. S-3853B. AU58 PCGS
Sold For: $6,900.00
Victoria young head Full Brockage sovereign, 1872. S-3853B. AU58 PCGS, designated Full Brockage Reverse. Yet another, a later head style, but this one, despite the official designation, is not cupped as is the 1856, and only part of the date and letters show. However it too is extremely rare and possibly unique as a date of this mint error. Wonderful lustrous surfaces. Once sold, go find another. Keep this in mind when contemplating your bids.
Victoria Mint Error - Obverse Brockage
gold 1/2 Sovereign 1876 AU58 NGC
Sold For: $6,300.00
Victoria Mint Error - Obverse Brockage gold 1/2 Sovereign 1876 AU58 NGC, cf. KM735.2 (for type). An always scarce gold brockage mint error of a 1/2 Sovereign displaying an incuse mirror image impression of obverse on reverse of coin. Remarkably few such pieces survive down to the present day--most rarely escaping the quality controls of the mint--with those few that due regularly having suffered from damage.
Victoria gold Mint Error - Obverse Brockage
1/2 Sovereign ND (1863-1880) MS63 NGC
Sold For: $6,000.00
Victoria gold Mint Error - Obverse Brockage 1/2 Sovereign ND (1863-1880) MS63 NGC, A rare gold brockage of a Victorian half Sovereign, unknown date. The details are crisply rendered on this collectible error type.
Victoria Mint Error - Reverse Brockage
1/2 Sovereign ND (1838-1885) MS63 NGC
Sold For: $5,760.00
Victoria Mint Error - Reverse Brockage 1/2 Sovereign ND (1838-1885) MS63 NGC, KM735.1. A rare gold brockage of a Victorian 1/2 Sovereign, unknown date. A highly collectible error in gold, the crisp details are echoed marvelously on the reverse.
