Paul Kmiotek of New York was in for a big surprise when he opened the 2007 state quarter proof set his in-laws gave him on his birthday. The last thing he expected to find was a major minting error.

When he slid the set out of the box, he saw that the lower right corner of the case was jammed partially open by the high flange of a misstruck 2007-S Wyoming state quarter.

At first he didn’t notice the error and tried to snap the case back closed, but the high flange that was cupped upward from obverse forced it to spring back open. He then noticed the “problem” and decided to contact Numismatic News about his find. The report was forwarded to me and I then consulted with a pool of experts to see what they thought.

Fred Weinberg of Encino, Calif., said, “I’d call it a Close Overlapped Double Strike, Cupped, with a Tilted Partial Collar. As a proof states quarter, I’d estimate it at $1,500-$1,800 retail value.” Read Full Story

Mike Byers has just published the latest issue Of Mint Error News Volume #21.

For Error Coin enthusiasts, the Mint Error News has become in indispensable resource for the latest discoveries within this specialized area of coin collecting. However it is also the only comprehensive source for regular pricing information on error coins of all types. The print version of the magazine, published quarterly, is difficult to come by as all copies are distributed quickly, however Mr Byers makes the full magazine available in PDF format on his web site www.minterrornews.com

Both the print and online version of the magazine are filled with excellent photos that accompany the articles and news stories. However the magazine offers collectors much more.

Contributing editor Allan Levy (www.alscoins.com) has compiled price information from prices realized on recent ebay sales and other sources to present the only up-to-date pricing information on a wide assortment of error coins. We know of no other source for error coin pricing that even comes close to the charts and scope of Mr Levy’s contribution. (more…)

(Newport Beach, California) - Professional Coin Grading Service has certified the first reported Sacagawea golden dollar coin struck with the edge lettering intended only for Presidential dollars. The submitter will receive a $10,000 finder’s reward from PCGS.

“The United States Mint set up specific internal procedures in an attempt to prevent this type of error from happening. But it did happen, and it’s an amazing-looking error,” said Ron Guth, PCGS President.

The 2007-dated coin was struck at the Denver Mint and has been examined and authenticated by the experts at PCGS. The coin was submitted by Andrew Moores of Lakewood, Colorado who found the coin in his pocket change. Moores believes he could have had the coin for as long as two weeks and only noticed it when he compared it with other Sacagawea Dollars that he had already set aside.

Moores was unaware of the reward until a coin collector friend mentioned that he had seen the offer on the PCGS Message Boards. According to Guth, who spoke with the submitter about the find, “Needless to say, Mr. Moores is a very happy man.”

PCGS also confirms it now has certified 301 Jefferson dollars erroneously struck without edge lettering. (more…)

As a general rule, modern proof error coins are scarce. There are several reasons for this. The requirements of special production hinder the number and types of errors that can occur. For one, during production of proof coinage, dies are frequently replaced and, therefore, many of the errors associated with late-state die failure seldom occur. Also, proof coins are placed into special packaging which means that any aberrantly shaped error coin will likely be discovered at the packaging stage. And last, the Mint employs an exceptionally high level of quality control surrounding the production of proof coinage.

NGC did, however, receive a Proof Presidential $1 error coin almost as soon as we began receiving submissions. Surprisingly, this was a relatively dramatic and scare type of error, a coin struck from nonparallel dies also called horizontally misaligned dies. This type of error occurs when the dies are not level with each other during striking. The result is a “wedge-shaped” coin. The misalignment also creates a gap between the collar and the dies. During striking, metal will flow into that gap forming an enlarged and distorted, raised rim or flange. A handful of similar errors of this type have been seen by NGC. Read Full Story

By Ken Potter on Numismatic News

A Spiked Head die crack on a proof 2007-S Thomas Jefferson Presidential dollar has been reported by a San Francisco Bay area collector. It was found in a four-piece 2007 Presidential dollar proof set. The coin exhibits a significant die crack on the reverse running from the second ray from the right in Miss Liberty’s crown up into the field, through the “E” of AMERICA continuing on through the rim. It is the first significant die crack reported on a proof Presidential dollar that runs from a portion of the design all the way through the rim.

The piece also represents the very first major die crack reported on any proof coin dated 2007. The owner (who wishes to remain anonymous) said that he ordered several sets directly from the Mint on June 21 and received them on July 5. Read Full Story