Bringing the latest mint error news to the collector. Also featuring Die Trials, Test Pieces, Numismatic Rarities, Currency Errors and Discoveries from the U.S. Mint & the BEP.
NGC Certifies Unique Martha Washington Cent Test Piece
This is a Martha Washington test piece struck in 1999/2000. The April 10, 2000 issue of Coin World featured an article about a Martha Washington trial piece. The article revealed that the "Martha Washington/Mount Vernon dies were most recently used during metallurgical die trial testing for the Sacagawea dollar."
This Martha Washington piece is a die trial experimental test strike. The Martha Washington/Mount Vernon dies were used to strike this trial piece on a 2.5 gram zinc-copper cent planchet. It was struck 10% off-center with a uniface reverse.
This die trial piece was discovered by a Brinks employee. It is in gem mint state condition with red and brown toning. The obverse design of the die features a bust of Martha Washington facing right. In the right field is the inscription MARTHA WASHINGTON. Above the portrait is VIRGINIA and below the date 1759.
