As part of my research involving United States pattern coinage, I often come across wrong planchet mint errors that are often confused with so-called “regular dies trial pieces”. This article is about the Liberty or “V” Nickel struck on a Cent planchet.

As a collector of “rejects”, I collect not only patterns but also mint errors. As a researcher, I came to note that while there is excellent pedigree and census information on rare patterns coinage, there is not similar information available on mint errors.

Many dates are listed in the mint error sections of the first seven editions of Dr. J. Hewitt Judd’s “United States Pattern, Experimental and Trial Pieces” and also in Don Taxay’s “Comprehensive Encyclopedia of United States” but as I started researching what dates were really out there, I noticed that their listings were woefully incomplete.

I have recorded the following examples thus far and do not know of any date having more than 3 pieces in existence. I hope that collectors out there will be willing to add their pieces to this listing so that we can find out how rare these pieces truly are. If enough people respond, we will issue a revised pedigree listing in a subsequent edition.



1883
No Cents 1) P.C. Clark (Bolender 11/32 lot 859) as AU, 58 ANA lot 443 as XF, 64 ANA lot 733 Unc, B/R 1/85 Unc at $1210 – are there two coins existing or is it unique?

1886
1) NERCA 11/81 VF

1888
1) X. Chamberlain AU or better

1889
1) An example is known overstruck on an 1973 indian cent shown in a September 2002 edition of Coin World.

1890
Reported by Judd

1892
1) P.C. Clark (M. Bolender 11/32) lot 867 as Fine

1893
1) F. Weinberg 3/99 PCGS XF40, 99 ANA (not sold)
2) Smithsonian (279171.001)
Note: one of these is ex-PC Clark lot 868 as VF and/or Bolender’s 86th.

1896
1) 64 ANA lot 734 as VF, this or another F. Weinberg 3/02 FPL - PCGSAU50

1897
1) F. Weinberg 12/98 FPL Unc, F. Weinberg 9/99 FPL - PCGS AU55

1898
1) F. Weinberg 12/98 FPL XF, F. Weinberg 9/99 FPL, S. Teichman for $2600 - PCGS AU55

1899
One is known struck on an 1873 Indian cent – See September 2002 Coin World

1900
1) B/R 11/83 lot 2475 XF45, J. Leidman inventory 9/20/00 - ANACS AU50, Ebay 9/00, Heritage 4/3/01 online auction, R. Schemmer 4/02, B/M 9/02 at $4600 now NGC-AU55BN
2) NERCA 11/81 VF - check description – same as above ??
3) one in UNC was in Bolt collection – same as #1 ??

1902
Reported by Judd

1903
1) Numismatic Enterprises 2/68 lot 586 Unc

1904
1) F. Weinberg 12/98 FPL AU, F. Weinberg 9/99 FPL, 2000 ANA – PCGS XF45

1905
1) T. Elder 6/35 lot 1944 Unc

1906
1) F. Weinberg 3/99, Heritage 2/02 at $805, F. Weinberg, 2002 ANA as PCGS F15, Stacks 1/03 unslabbed
2) F. Weinberg 3/02 FPL, Heritage 7/02 - PCGS63
3) R. Schemmer at 96 ANA, X. Chamberlain – ANACS63RB
One of the last 2 is ex Virgil Brand (journal #40155 bought in 1907)

1907
1) eBay in August 27, 2002 bought by F. Weinberg now PCGSAU58
2) Superior 5/2003 ANACS Net VF20 scratched
3) 2003 ANA ANACS63BN

1908
1) 91 ANA lot 722 Unc, 2000 ANA – PCGS64

1910
1) 2003 ANA Fine 12

1911
1) Federal Brand 9/55 lot 1039 VF, Superior 9/98 lot 855 AU/Unc, J. O’Donnell, Superior 2/01, F. Weinberg PCGS AU55 – are there 2 coins here.