Republished with Permission from SmallDollars.com

In April 2008 another astounding discovery was made in the Sacagawea Dollar series. A collector, who wishes to remain anonymous, owned not one, but two Cheerios Dollars in their original Cheerios packaging. The owner states, “I got one of the two coins out of a box of Cheerios and bought the other one at a flee market back in 2001-2002 and they have been sitting in my dresser drawer ever since until I found out what they might be worth.” Deciding to capitalize on them, he send both to NGC for authentication and grading. Upon their return he was surprised to find that one was not labeled as a “Pattern” as the other one was. Checking the reverse he found that it did in fact not exhibit the detailed tail feathers as the “pattern” piece did.

Concerned if a “non-pattern” Cheerios Dollar was possible or was previously known to exist, the collector contacted smalldollars.com. We in turn contacted accomplished numismatist Tom DeLorey, who was instrumental in the original discovery of the Cheerios “Pattern” Dollar. Being as surprised as we were, Mr. DeLorey contacted NGC to verify the piece.

In response NGC said, “The report that you received is entirely factual. NGC did receive a Cheerios dollar in original packaging and the coin was not the pattern reverse. This was confirmed by Rick Montgomery and Dave Camire. Dave Camire, in fact, opened the packaging.”

WOW!!! The Sacagawea series never ceases to amaze. Over eight years after their release, a completely new discovery is made. How could this happen? Mr. DeLorey has come up with a possible scenario. Keep in mind that this scenario is pure speculation. We’ll probably never know for sure how a “non-pattern” coin was placed in a Cheerios package.

Mr. DeLorey writes: “Possible scenario: the Mint strikes approximately 5,500 dollars from the pattern dies and send them to General Mills. They package them, and find that some coins were damaged or otherwise spoiled during packaging. Let’s guess and say they have 5,400 good ones. They’ve got enough ready to start stuffing cereal boxes, but because they are obligated to award 5,500 coins (it says so right there on 10 million pre-printed boxes) they have to ask the Mint for a hundred (or whatever) more. This second shipment is filled with coins from the new dies being used to mass produce coins for the Wal-Mart rollout. Remember, nobody outside the engraving department knows that a change was made, and the engraving department did not know that 5,500 coins had been sent out early before the change (per my conversation with Tom Rogers). The extra coins get packaged and distributed.” (more…)

2008-W Burnished Uncirculated Silver Eagles have been found displaying two distinct designs from two different years. Beginning in 2008, the US Mint made some dramatic changes to the Silver Eagle coins reverse, possibly to enhance their appearance.

As a result, some 2008-W Uncirculated Silver Eagles submitted to PCGS were found depicting a transitional reverse design or an old style reverse design used in the previous year. Some of the major differences for this new variety are in the lettering on the reverse of the coin, specifically on the letter “U” in “United.” The old style Reverse of 2007 will have an uneven “U” and without a serif underneath the right of the “U”. A new style reverse of 2008 will have a fancier “U” and with a serif underneath the right of the “U.” The thirteen stars on the old reverse are also smaller and will be more separated from one other as opposed to being larger and closer to each other, as seen on the new reverse of 2008. Overall, the lettering from the two different coins contain dramatic and significant differences through out the reverse.

The US Mint has successfully been producing millions of Silver Eagles for the past twenty years without making any major blunders for this series. 2008 will definitely be a special year for Silver Eagle collectors who now have an opportunity to add this first and exciting major variety to this very popular series. Currently, there have been no reports of 2008 non Burnished Silver Eagles containing a Reverse of 2007. However, it is very possible to find 2008 non Burnished coins also containing a Reverse of 2007.

As recognition to this new and dramatic variety, PCGS will recognize these significant varieties and will attribute them as “Reverse of 2007″ on the PCGS holder. In order to receive this variety recognition coins should be sent in under the “Variety Attribution Program” for an additionally $20 fee. Any questions please feel free to contact customer service at 1-800-447-8848.

Michael S. Fey, co-author of the Top 100 Morgan dollar varieties, announced today the discovery of an ultra rare 1878 8TF VAM 14.13 (doubled eyelid; A1n reverse) struck partially out-of-collar (railroad rim).

According to Fey, “This is the 2nd known major error of any 1878 8TF Morgan dollar in the history of its mintage of approximately 750,000 coins, and is only the 29th specimen of the VAM 14.13 reported to date. The combination of an 1878 8TF ultra rarity with a major error of this type is significant, and may have played a role in the early demise of the obverse die.

Fey not only had an opportunity to review ultra rare silver dollars and silver dollar patterns, but numerous classic American rarities. Among the highlights of coins he held were a 1787 Brasher doubloon with punch on wing, and a “unique” 1787 Brasher half doubloon with punch on wing. He held a 1652 New England shilling, a set of 1792 Birch coinage including a silver plug Birch cent, a mint state 1793 Chain “Ameri”, an 1838-O proof half dollar (only 20 minted) and a unique 1860 $20 Proof Pacquet Reverse J-272a and so many more.

According to Fey, “I could not be any more impressed or dazzled by the assortment of numismatic treasures held in our National Numismatic Collection. This is where these coins belong, in the public domain”.

This is to thank Dr. Brent Glass, Dr. Richard Doty, and especially Mr. Jim Hughes for their time and hospitality in allowing me to visit and look through selected coins from the National Numismatic Collection. The Smithsonian is a national treasure that deserves support from the entire hobby.

For further information, please contact Michael S. Fey, Ph.D., at RCI, P.O. Box C, Ironia, NJ 07845 or call (973) 252-4000; FAX (973) 252-0481; E-Mail: Feyms@aol.com or visit http://www.rcicoins.com

NGC has discovered that 2008-W Uncirculated Silver Eagles have been struck with two different reverse types. Many are aware that Silver Eagles issued in 2008 show numerous subtle modifications to their design. NGC has now confirmed that 2008-W Uncirculated Silver Eagles were also struck using reverse dies of the pre-modification style, or reverse type of 2007.

The two reverse styles are very easy to distinguish from one another. As NGC previously reported, the most obvious identification diagnostic is the U of UNITED on the coin’s reverse. On the Reverse of 2008, the U has a spur on the right side of the letter. The Reverse of 2007, has simply a bowl-shaped U, without spur or downstroke. A number of other diagnostics are evident and are illustrated below.

NGC is designating 2008-W Silver Eagles with reverse style of 2007 as REVERSE OF 2007. Coins of the newly modified style, or Reverse of 2008, are encapsulated without designation. “This is a significant hub variety,” comments Rick Montgomery, NGC President. “It has very clear diagnostics, and appears on one of the most widely collected of all US coins. We’re also very proud to be the first to present this information to the numismatic community and to attribute the variety as part of the NGC certification process.”

Read Full Article by NGC on the Discovery

Jeff Makkos of Ohio reports finding a double struck 2007-P James Madison dollar in a Mint-issue set. The type of double strike involved is what errorists refer to as an “In-Collar Double Strike with Rotation Between Strikes.”

The cause may be due to two different scenarios.

The first possibility is that the coin was struck normally and then reentered the coining area falling back over the collar where it was forced back into the collar by a second strike in a position rotated just a few degrees away from the original strike.

Another possibility suggested by CONECA president Mike Diamond, is that coin remained in the collar while the inner sleeve of the collar broke loose and rotated within resulting in the same effect.

Because a coin normally expands in diameter ever so slightly upon ejection it is difficult for it to completely reenter the collar unless forced. The forcing of the coin into the collar often results in it only being forced part way and and edge that looks to have two levels or what is known as a “Partial Collar.” Makkos’ coin does not show a partial collar, indicating that it was either forced all the way back into the collar during the second strike or could have been in a rotating collar.
Read Full Numismaster Article by Ken Potter