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.
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.
