STACK'S BOWERS: NICHOLAS P. BROWN U.S. ERRORS

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V29 2026 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 29, Number 34, 2026, Article 15

Stack's Bowers will be selling the Nicholas P. Brown Collection of U.S. Mint Errors as part of their Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction on September 1. Select items are discussed below. -Garrett

Famous 1968 No S Roosevelt Dime Rarity Ranked #8 of the 100 Greatest U.S. Modern Coins 1968 No S Roosevelt Dime. FS-501. Proof-69 * (NGC). A stunning example of this landmark modern U.S. Mint Proof issue, as struck, virtually pristine, and possessed of outstanding eye appeal. The obverse exhibits a dusting of pale silvery iridescence, while the equally attractive reverse exhibits iridescent champagne-gold that deepens to a halo of similar, albeit slightly bolder color around the border. The finish is modestly cameoed, especially on the obverse, which feature helps to explain the coveted * designation from NGC for superior eye appeal. Fully struck and exquisite.

The 1968 No S dime was the first of the Proof "S-less" varieties to come to light in numismatics. The Philadelphia Mint discontinued striking annual Proof sets in 1964, the series as a whole taking a short break before resuming in 1968, when the sets were first struck in San Francisco. The master dies for the Proof coins were forwarded to the West Coast facility from Philadelphia and the mintmark was to be added, however, this did not always happen. While striking these 1968-dated Proof coins, it was observed that the S was not added to the die for the dimes being struck. All of the No S dime coins were thought to have been destroyed. However, a few had already been sealed in Proof sets and were not found until received by their original owners. Similar No S varieties appeared in 1971 on a nickel, in 1970, 1975 and 1983 on a dime, and in 1990 on a cent. The rarest by far of all of them are the dimes of 1975 and 1968, with the 1968 No S dime ranked #8 in the fourth (2017) edition of the book 100 Greatest U.S. Modern Coins by Scott Schechter and Jeff Garrett.

By way of insight, we note that NGC currently lists 21 grading events for this elusive issue, a figure that includes 16 pieces in this category, plus an additional four pieces in the Cameo category and a single specimen in their Ultra Camo category. PCGS currently lists 39 grading events for the issue across all categories, none of which are in DCAM. However, as is more typical than not, it is likely that some percentage of these grading events represents resubmissions of identical coins. Clearly, the number extant is very small in an absolute sense. At the pinnacle of numismatic quality, it is infinitesimal and includes a mere 11 grading events in Proof-69 at PCGS and NGC combined, in the Proof and Cameo categories combined. As the only one of these specimens with a * designation as certified, the present example is one of the very finest in this highly select group.

The offering of this rare Proof Roosevelt dime represents an excellent opportunity to obtain one of the most desirable of all late 20th century U.S. Mint coins. Whether you specialize in Roosevelt dimes, modern U.S. Mint Proofs in general, or just love great American coins, the present lot will hold a special fascination for you. Don't be shy when the bidding starts on this lot or you're likely to find yourself wishing you had been more aggressive. The 1968 No S Proof Roosevelt dime comes to market but infrequently, and the importance of the opportunity offered herein cannot be stressed enough.

To read the complete item description, see:
Famous 1968 No S Roosevelt Dime Rarity (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1UQ83E/1968-no-s-roosevelt-dime-fs-501-proof-69-ngc)

The Unique 1906 Indian Cent Struck in Error on a Quarter Eagle Planchet Ranked No. 2 of the 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins 1906 Indian Cent. Struck on a Quarter Eagle Planchet. AU-58 * (NGC). 18.3 mm x 18.1 mm, 1.1 mm to 1.2 mm thick. 64.4 grains, which is within the 0.25-grain tolerance for the 64.5-grain authorized weight of contemporary quarter eagle planchets. Plain edge. The physical size of the planchet is also very similar to that of a quarter eagle (17.78 mm), the slightly larger diameter of this specimen accounted for by the spread during striking of the soft gold blank to fill the larger diameter collar (19.05 mm) of an Indian cent. Lovely honey-gold color joins softly frosted luster and universally bold strike detail throughout the Indian cent design.

Both the 2010 reference 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins and Saul Teichman's census work published on the uspatterns.com website confirm that only four Indian cents struck on gold planchets are positively confirmed to exist: two dated 1900, and one each dated 1905 and 1906. Per Q. David Bowers in his Buyer's and Enthusiast's Guide to Flying Eagle and Indian Cents, p. 427, Michael Hodder reported in a May 14, 1996 letter that he had seen three examples of the 1900 although, if true, the third example has not been confirmed by the wider numismatic community. Writing in his 2014 reference The Flying Eagle & Indian Cent Attribution Guide, Rick Snow also reports a 1900 struck off center on a silver planchet and notes, "Same dies as the gold pieces." The three gold 1900s, as reported by Hodder, vary in weight from 65.8 grains to 67.1 grains, to account for which Fred Weinberg has observed: "the weights vary because in all probability, they were on planchets that might not have been filed down to the proper weight spread." That these coins are all well outside the tolerance for a contemporary quarter eagle planchet suggests that the 1900 Indian cents in gold were deliberately struck as fantasy pieces for the numismatic trade, which conclusion can also be drawn for the off center 1900 in silver struck from the same dies, and (probably also deliberately) struck off center.

The 1905 and 1906 Indian cents struck in gold - both of which are unique by date - are in a different category. The former weighs 64.5 grains, the standard weight for a contemporary quarter eagle planchet, while the 1906 offered here, at 64.4 grains, is within the 0.25-grain tolerance for that wight standard. Armed with this evidence, most numismatic scholars accept the conclusion for these two coins as related by Rick Snow for the 1906 in his aforementioned Flying Eagle & Indian Cent Attribution Guide:

This example is of the correct weight and proves that it is struck on [a] quarter eagle planchet. Only one example [of the 1906] is known and it has light wear which indicates that this might be a circulation find, however at this point, this is undocumented. It doesn't appear to have been struck specially and saved, as is the case with the 1900 pieces. The weight of the 1907 Indian cent in gold is unknown for, while listed in the Judd pattern reference and in Don Taxay's Catalogue and Encyclopedia of U.S. Coins, it is untraced and has not undergone modern numismatic scrutiny.

"That any cents struck in gold exist at all is quite extraordinary," observes Rick Snow. "The gold planchets are presumably tracked and counted along their production route." The author's comments, of course, refer to genuine Mint errors within this small group, which refers to only the 1905 and 1906. These two coins are clearly more numismatically significant and desirable than the 1900-dated fantasy strikings. The 1905 was apparently unknown to the wider numismatic community until its offering in Heritage's January 2010 FUN Signature Auction. Certified MS-64 by PCGS, it realized $253,000 as lot 2433. A more recent Heritage offering for that coin, September 2015 Long Beach Signature Auction, lot 3708, resulted in a lower price of $105,750.

The 1906 offered here is returning to auction for the first time since bringing $276,000 in our (Stack's) Philadelphia Americana Sale of September 2009. It is one of the most famous of all U.S. Mint errors and will command a strong price commensurate with its significance as it transitions into another world-class numismatic cabinet.

Plated in the 2010 reference 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins by Nicholas P. Brown, David J. Camire and Fred Weinberg, p. 5, and the 2014 reference The Flying Eagle & Indian Cent Attribution Guide by Rick Snow, p. 843.

Provenance: From the Nicholas P. Brown Collection of U.S. Mint Errors. Earlier from our (Stack's and American Numismatic Rarities') Medio and Henry Da Costa Gomez Collections sale, June 2004, lot 4097; our (Stack's) Americana Sale of September 2009, lot 4299.

Unique 1993-D Lincoln Cent Muled with Roosevelt Dime Reverse Earliest Dated Modern Muling Error 1993-D Lincoln Cent. Muled with Roosevelt Dime Reverse. MS-66 RD (NGC). Ranking No. 12 in the 2010 reference 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins by Nicholas P. Brown, David J. Camire and Fred Weinberg, this is one of the most significant modern Mint errors of a type for which all examples are significant. It is not only the earliest dated modern U.S. Mint muling error, but also one of only seven from the Denver Mint. (The others are the 2000-D Sacagawea dollar / South Carolina State quarter mule that surfaced in 2022 and five 2001-D Lincoln cent / Roosevelt dime mules.) Errors of this type - struck using two dies intended for two different coins - are also exceedingly rare regardless of issuing mint or other particulars, as this list of some of the most famous of recent decades makes clear:

- 1993-D Lincoln Cent. Muled with Roosevelt Dime Reverse. Unique. The present example.

- (2000)-P Sacagawea Dollar. Muled with Statehood Quarter Obverse. 18 known, one of which is being offered in this sale.

- 2000-D Sacagawea Dollar. Muled with South Carolina State Quarter Reverse. Unique.

Amazingly, two of the three unique mulings that combine Lincoln cent and Roosevelt dime dies are being offered in this sale, along with one of the 18 Sacagawea dollar / State quarter mules - a gathering of rarities in the segment of the hobby that deals with modern Mint errors that collectors may not see again for many years, if not decades.

Interestingly, the two dies from which the present 1993-D Lincoln cent / Roosevelt dime muling were struck had seen previous use before creating this dramatic error. The obverse exhibits die polish lines behind Lincoln's head, while the reverse show polish lines around the central design elements and a collar clash. As the authors of the 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins reference point out: "Because both dies had been in use previously, one must wonder why a pair of used dies of different denominations would be paired with each other." Of course, such unsolved mysteries are part of what make major Mint errors such as this so popular with advanced numismatists.

This is a generally well struck and sharply defined coin despite the error, although peripheral softness is noted on the Lincoln portrait side - the result of the smaller diameter of the dime die. The reverse, by way of contrast, has an unusually thick rim, and for the same reason. A lengthy, yet faint die crack on the latter side slants down through the lower part of the torch, where it divides the word PLURIBUS. The surfaces on both sides are virtually as struck with vivid reddish-rose mint color and an impressively smooth appearance overall.

Provenance: From the Nicholas P. Brown Collection of U.S. Mint Errors. Earlier first publicized in February 2003, when it was walked into a coin shop in Denver, Colorado. Later from Heritage's sale of the Alfred V. Melson Collection, Part I, January 2010 FUN Signature Auction, lot 2383. Plated in the 2010 reference 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins by Nicholas P. Brown, David J. Camire and Fred Weinberg, p. 23.

Fascinating and Unique Deep Reverse Die Cap of a Type II Buffalo Nickel Undated (1913-1938) Philadelphia Mint Buffalo Nickel. Type II. Deep Reverse Die Cap. AU-58 (PCGS). An exquisite piece, unique as a deep reverse die cap on a Buffalo nickel, and one which highlights an unusual and little-known aspect of the production process for coins of this type. This series is one of only two produced in the 20th century United States Mint where the obverse was installed in the press as the anvil die and the reverse served as the hammer die. Only the Mercury dime series from this same era shares this die setup. With this in mind, one can more easily understand how this Buffalo nickel die cap was created. The planchet adhered to the hammer die (reverse), which continued to go through the motions of striking coins, during which the planchet gradually wrapped itself around that die. By the time it finally freed itself from the hammer die, the planchet had taken taken on a deep "bottle cap" shape, in the bottom of which is a sharply executed Buffalo nickel reverse impression. No mintmark is present, so this error can be attributed to the Philadelphia Mint, and the Type II Buffalo design is also clearly identifiable. The obverse, however, is a late stage brockage, the multiple impressions into blank planchets resulting in a broad, very distended, indeed ghostly image of the Buffalo nickel obverse. The date is no longer discernible, but the persistent viewer will be able to make out part of the Native American's profile and some of the detail in the feathers. Lightly toned pewter gray overall with hints of champagne-apricot iridescence within the struck portion inside the cap.

This coin is ranked No. 34 in the 2010 reference 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins by Nicholas P. Brown, David J. Camire and Fred Weinberg, in which it is plated on p. 45.

Provenance: From the Nicholas P. Brown Collection of U.S. Mint Errors. Earlier ex Dr. Conway Bolt Collection, 1974. Illustrated in the July 1946 edition of Numismatic Review, and plated in the 2010 reference 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins by Nicholas P. Brown, David J. Camire and Fred Weinberg, p. 45.

Stunning 1995 Roosevelt Dime Muled with a Lincoln Cent Obverse Unique 1995 Roosevelt Dime. Muled with a Lincoln Cent Obverse. MS-64 (NGC). 2.26 grams. The reverse is rotated approximately 15 degrees counterclockwise from coin alignment. Amazingly, this is the counterpart to the similarly unique 1993-D Lincoln cent / Roosevelt dime muling offered in the preceding lot. On the present example, the planchet is that of a copper-nickel clad dime, the reverse with the expected Roosevelt design, with a broad rim. The edge is fully reeded, which further confirms that it was the Lincoln cent obverse die that was out of place in the dime press. The obverse of this coin presents as a "silver" 1995 Lincoln cent, and it is boldly to sharply defined in all areas except for along the upper left border, where there is no rim and the letters L in LIBERTY and IN GOD WE run nearly to the edge of the flan. Both sides are bright silver gray in appearance with softly frosted luster and no significant post-production blemishes.

This coin is the third officially reported modern U.S. Mint muling error, following the (2000)-P Sacagawea dollar / State quarter and 1999 Lincoln cent / Roosevelt dime. This 1995-dated muling from the Philadelphia Mint first appeared in the numismatic market in 2000, and in 2010 its significant and unique status were recognized by its ranking of No. 13 in the 2010 reference 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins by Nicholas P. Brown, David J. Camire and Fred Weinberg.

This sale presents numerous fleeting opportunities for advanced Mint error specialists, but perhaps none as significant as the chance to acquire both the 1993-D Lincoln cent / Roosevelt dime, offered in the preceding lot, and its counterpart offered here, the 1995 Roosevelt dime muled with a Lincoln cent obverse. Both are sure to capture the full attention of advanced bidders and see spirited competition during the auction session.

Provenance: From the Nicholas P. Brown Collection of U.S. Mint Errors. First publicized in the numismatic market in 2000. Later from Heritage's sale of the Alfred V. Melson Collection, Part I, January 2010 FUN Signature Auction, lot 2384. Plated in the 2010 reference 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins by Nicholas P. Brown, David J. Camire and Fred Weinberg, p. 24.

1977-D Half Dollar Struck on a 40% Silver Planchet Rare Transitional Wrong Planchet Mint Error 1977-D Kennedy Half Dollar. Struck on a 40% Silver Planchet. MS-64 (NGC). 11.5 grams. Transitional wrong planchet strikes are one of the most popular subdisciplines within the community of dedicated Mint error collectors, as evidenced by the excitement that greeted our June 2026 offering of a 1970-D Roosevelt dime and 1966 Washington quarter struck on 90% silver planchets. Here we are pleased to present a transitional wrong planchet Kennedy half dollar associated with the two-year Bicentennial coinage of 1975 and 1976. During those years, the Mint struck Bicentennial half dollars (and quarters and Eisenhower dollars) for inclusion in Proof and Mint sets for sale to collectors. All official coinage of these 40% silver coins was confined to the San Francisco Mint, however, so the delivery of some of these 40% silver half dollar planchets to the Denver Mint represents the first blunder in the chain of events that led to creation of this error. At least some of these 40% planchets were then used to strike 1977-dated half dollars for commercial use - a date for which no regular issue 40% strikes were authorized.

Numismatists have discovered several of these wrong planchet errors for the 1977-D half dollar, including at least four in circulated grades, suggesting that they were released from the Mint through normal channels. The present example, however, was spared commercial use and retains full, softly frosted luster and bold to sharp strike detail. The surfaces are brilliant with a bright silver appearance, and the edge show no trace of copper that would be customary for a copper-nickel clad strike. Rare and highly desirable.

To read the complete item description, see:
1977-D Half Dollar Struck on a 40% Silver Planchet (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1UQELE/1977-d-kennedy-half-dollar-struck-on-a-40-silver-planchet-ms-64-ngc)

Fabulous (1921)-S Dollar Struck 45% Off Center Finest Known Off Center Morgan Without a Date (1921)-S Morgan Silver Dollar. Struck 45% Off Center. MS-63 (NGC). Morgan dollar errors are featured three times in the 2010 book 100 Greatest Error Coins by Nicholas P. Brown, David J. Camire and Fred Weinberg. Entry No. 6 is a double struck 1887, with one strike 40% off center. Entry No. 22 was referred to as the finest known dated off center Morgan dollar - the 40% off center 1880-S certified MS-63 by PCGS that later realized $72,000 in Heritage's May 2022 sale of the Fred Weinberg Collection. Entry No. 23 is the coin offered here - the finest off center Morgan dollar without the date showing. A fourth coin deserves inclusion in this discussion of leading off center Morgan dollar errors, and that is the 1887 struck 55% off center with a brockage on the reverse that realized $78,000 in our November 2024 Showcase Auction; offered as lot 3275, that coin was certified MS-63 by PCGS.

Despite the existence of these landmark rarities, major Mint errors of any type that involve America's favorite silver dollar are rare. Generally speaking, the Mint more closely scrutinized higher denomination coins such as silver dollars (and, of course, the gold denominations) before their release into commerce, with the vast majority of Mint errors discovered and destroyed. With their record high mintages, the 1921-dated issues have yielded the greatest number of off center errors in the Morgan dollar series. Most such pieces are attributed to the Philadelphia or San Francisco mint, most are struck only 5% or 10% off center, and most are in circulated or lower Mint State grades. The (1921)-S without a date struck 20% off center and certified MS-62 by NGC that appeared in our August 2021 Auction was significant both with regard to the error and the level of preservation. It brought $14,400 - an impressive price at the time.

We now come to the amazing NGC MS-63 example offered here. The strike is off center to approximately 7 o'clock, the date far off the planchet on the obverse, but the S mintmark present and crisp on the reverse. The tiny S mintmark and nuances of this revised final-year Morgan dollar design confirm that this dateless error was struck in 1921. Both the struck and unstruck areas are uncommonly smooth, the former nearly Choice in quality, and the latter with no sizeable distractions among the tiny marks that are commonplace on virgin planchets. Brilliant apart from the lightest iridescent gold highlights, with full detail and strong frosty luster to the struck areas.

As related by the authors of the 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins book, "Although dozens of off-center [sic] Morgan dollars are known, this is one of the most famous pieces." It will certainly see spirited bidding that results in a strong price as it transitions into the next world-class Mint error cabinet.

Provenance: From the Nicholas P. Brown Collection of U.S. Mint Errors. Earlier from Numismatic and Antiquarian Service Corporation of America's New York Sale of July 16-17, 1981, lot 517. Plated in the 2010 reference 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins by Nicholas P. Brown, David J. Camire and Fred Weinberg, p. 34.

To read the complete item description, see:
Fabulous (1921)-S Dollar Struck 45% Off Center (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1UQELP/1921-s-morgan-silver-dollar-struck-45-off-center-ms-63-ngc)

Dramatic Obverse Die Cap Bicentennial Ike Dollar Deepest Die Cap of Just Three Known The Brown-Camire-Weinberg Plate Coin 1976-D Eisenhower Dollar. Obverse Die Cap. MS-67 (NGC). This stunning example is ranked No. 40 in the 2010 reference 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins by Nicholas P. Brown, David J. Camire and Fred Weinberg, and it is plated on p. 51 therein. The authors report only three die caps involving Eisenhower dollars, two obverse and one reverse, and identify the offered example as the deepest. It truly is dramatic, the obverse with a particularly desirable "bottle cap" effect given the depth of the die cap. The obverse still took a full, crisp impression from that die, and it has toned beautifully in light, vivid, reddish-apricot iridescence. The reverse is equally dramatic as a Mint error and shows a broad, distended impression of the obverse design - a late stage brockage. The latter side presents as untoned, but shows a hint of champagne-gold iridescence on closer examination. Both sides are satin to softly frosted in texture, the appearance expectably smooth and close to pristine for the impressive Superb Gem grade assigned by NGC. Clearly the significance of this coin as a major Mint error was recognized right after striking, allowing it to be preserved with the utmost care ever since.

This coin is numismatically significant for a number of reasons, several of which have already been addressed: the depth of the die cap; its stunning visual appearance; ranking and plating in the 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins reference. To these we add that die caps are typically encountered on smaller denomination coins, primarily small cents, more infrequently on nickels, dimes and, quarters. A 38-mm dollar of any type with this kind of error is far rarer. Additionally, the Bicentennial Eisenhower dollar is a one-year design type, with actual production taking place only in 1975 and 1976, so there was very little press time for an error such as this to have been produced, certainly far less time than for, say, an error in the Lincoln cent series with Memorial reverse. In a sale replete with stunning Mint error rarities, this piece is standout - a position it will surely occupy in the next advanced cabinet in which it is included.

Provenance: From the Nicholas P. Brown Collection of U.S. Mint Errors. Earlier from our (Bowers and Merena's) sale of the Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part III, May 2001, lot 545; our (Bowers and Merena's) Rarities Sale of September 2002, lot 644. Plated in the 2010 reference 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins by Nicholas P. Brown, David J. Camire and Fred Weinberg, p. 51.

To read the complete item description, see:
Dramatic Obverse Die Cap Bicentennial Ike Dollar (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1UQEMM/1976-d-eisenhower-dollar-obverse-die-cap-ms-67-ngc)

Extraordinary Sacagawea Dollar / State Quarter Muling Die Pair #1 The Nicholas Brown Specimen One of Only 18 Known (2000)-P Sacagawea Dollar. Muled with a State Quarter Obverse. MS-67 (NGC). Mule #11, as listed in Error News. A gorgeous specimen of this incredible rarity showcasing bright golden-honey surfaces with areas of richer pinkish-rose coloration here and there at the peripheries. The overall pristine surfaces are complemented by frosty, cartwheeling luster and bold definition to the design elements. Die striations at the border are as seen on all known examples, creating a spectacular sunburst effect most dramatic on the obverse.

Mules - coins struck using two dies intended for two different coins - have a "Holy Grail" of error coins for generations. In most cases, mules are intentionally produced using deliberate pairings of entirely unrelated dies purely for the purpose of creating numismatic delicacies in very small quantities intended for highly specialized collections. Such fanciful creations are familiar in many numismatic disciplines and such items may be found in a bewildering array of combinations and metals.

Far rarer are those mules created purely by accident or happenstance, especially employing dies from two different denominations. Among all the coins produced at the United States Mint, muling errors are of the highest rarity and were once branded an impossibility. With modern minting equipment and tracking technologies, it would seem that muling errors are even more unlikely except under very specific and most serendipitous circumstances. Just such an event occurred in early 2000 at the Philadelphia Mint that resulted in the best known of all muling errors, coins struck using State quarter obverse dies and the reverse dies of the newly introduced Sacagawea dollar on the new dollar planchets.

The stage for the Sacagawea dollar / State quarter mule has its origins back in 1979 with the introduction of the Susan B. Anthony dollar. The size of the new smaller dollar coin at 26.5 mm was sufficiently close enough to the quarter (24.3 mm) that the coins were frequently confused with quarters, prompting considerable complaints about the new coins. The Susan B. Anthony dollars were produced for circulation for only two years before the design was shelved in 1981. Nearly 20 years later, the Anthony dollar design was briefly resurrected in 1999 in preparation for the production of a new dollar coin, one that would be sufficiently different from the quarter to minimize the risk of confounding the two denominations. The new design by Glenna Goodacre featured a representation of the Lemhi Shoshone woman Sacagawea on the obverse and a flying eagle on the reverse was introduced the following year. While the new Sacagawea dollar employed an entirely new golden colored alloy and bore a smooth edge, one thing that did not change was the diameter. The 2.2 mm difference between the two denominations may indeed have been equally confusing to Mint personnel.

There may have been another contributing factor at work. According to leading error coin expert Fred Weinberg, around 1998 or 1999, the Mint instituted an Occupational Safety and Health Administration rule that employees in specific roles be rotated into other positions on a periodic basis. Sometime in either April or early May of 2000, just such a staff rotation may have occurred at the Die Room. A coin press operator arrived at the Die Room requesting an obverse die for the new Sacagawea dollar. The employee in the Die Room picked out what they thought was a Sacagawea obverse die, but was instead an obverse die for a quarter. Neither the Die Room employee nor the press operator took off the protective plastic cover off the die to double check, and so it was put in the hammer (or upper) position in the press and coining began with the Sacagawea dollar reverse die in place. Perhaps lack of familiarity with die sizes as well as procedure in the Die Room alongside the failure to check the dies before installation led to a "perfect storm" of events leading to the error. What makes this error especially perplexing is that three different die pairs have been identified among the known specimens. Precisely how this occurred is pure supposition at this point; it is quite possible that the Die Room handed out incorrect dies to three separate press operators before the error was caught after several thousand impressions. The die pairs can be identified thusly:

-Die Pair 1: There is a die crack on the reverse in the letter F in OF unique to this pairing. The obverse die shows the radial stress striations typically found when dies from two different sizes are used together. This is the most frequently seen of the three die pairs with a total of 13 specimens known, including the present coin.

-Die Pair 2: The obverse die is perfect with no distinguishing marks, but the reverse bears three die cracks: one projecting from the star above the letter E in ONE, a second by the star above the letter D in DOLLAR, and a third crack running by the wing above the same two letters. Only three coins are known from this die pairing.

Die Pair 3: The obverse die is mostly fresh with the exception of a tiny gouge in front of Washington's lips. The reverse die is in pristine with no distinguishing marks of note. Two coins are known from this pair.

Once discovered, Mint employees combed through the bins where the freshly struck coins were deposited and culling out all the muled coins they could and destroyed all of them, or so they thought. A few managed to escape and in late May of 2000 the first example was found in a roll of the new Sacagawea dollars by Frank Wallis in Arkansas. Attention was already being paid to the new coin design when news reports started to come out through various press channels and the hunt was on. While there was some initial debate as to the authenticity of the error, as well as the legality of owning the coins, the Mint acknowledged the error as genuine on June 19. We (Bowers and Merena) sold that rare discovery piece at the August 2000 American Numismatic Association Millennium Sale for $29,900. This shocked everyone as this mule was virtually unknown at the time. It had been reported that examples sold privately in the neighborhood of $250,000 in 2007/2008, and our most recent auction offering (March 2018 Baltimore Auction, lot 2382) resulted in a realized price of $192,000 for an example also certified MS-67.

Precisely how they escaped the Mint's dragnet is unclear, though most seem to have passed through normal official channels. A couple of coins seemed to have had questionable origins and the resulting investigation found two Mint employees complicit in smuggling a few out and selling them for personal gain, for which both individuals were found guilty and sentenced to probation, house arrest, and fines. In its sentencing memorandum in 2005, the Treasury made it clear that their goal was not to seize the coins but "to punish the defendant and to deter theft by current and future Mint employees and other government employees," effectively resolving any question of legality.

How many Sacagawea dollar / State quarter mules escaped into circulation is not known, but considering how few coins have so far been found in the intervening years even with the media attention, it is unlikely many more (if any) will be found. Among world coins, muling errors occur on a comparatively more frequent basis and are an especially popular field for specialists. This is not the case for U.S. coins where the opportunities to obtain a mule of a coin intended for circulation are precious few and very far between. This is especially true for the Sacagawea dollar / State quarter mule for, not only are there just 18 specimens confirms, but most are tightly held by New Mexico numismatist Tommy Bolack, who has acquired pieces as they appear at market over the past 20+ years. Here, then, is a fleeting opportunity to acquire a fantastic Superb Gem example of a famous and coveted modern U.S. Mint error rarity that will be talked about for generations to come.

The Sacagwea dollar / State quarter mule is ranked No. 1 in the 2010 reference 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins by Nicholas P. Brown, David J. Camire and Fred Weinberg, and No. 5 in the fourth (2017) edition of the reference 100 Greatest U.S. Modern Coins by Scott Schechter and Jeff Garrett.

Jaw-Dropping 1901/0-S Half Eagle Struck 10% Off Center Only Three to Five Known Lovely NGC MS-64 * PL Quality 1901/0-S Liberty Head Half Eagle. FS-301. Struck 10% Off Center. MS-64 * PL (NGC). As related above in our description for the 45% off center (1921)-S Morgan dollar also being offered in this sale, major Mint errors are particularly rare on high denomination U.S. Mint coins. This is especially true for the gold denominations, mintages of which were subjected to rigorous quality control procedures designed to identify and weed out misstrikes before they were released into commerce. In this endeavor the Mint was very successful, to the disappointment of today's collectors, who have precious few gold coin errors to admire and collect. Yet a small number of these numismatically significant pieces did manage to escape the Mint during the classic era of its operations, and they are eagerly sought by the most advanced collectors in today's market.

The Liberty Head half eagle offered here is plated in the 2010 reference 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins by Nicholas P. Brown, David J. Camire and Fred Weinberg, in which it is ranked No. 10. As of that printing it was the third confirmed of just three to five off center errors known for the 1901/0-S FS-301 variety. The strike is off center exactly at 12 o'clock - one of the most desirable positions for errors of this type - although all major design elements are not only present, but sharply defined and crisp. As well, remnants of the 0 underdigit are unusually bold and plainly evident under low magnification. There is no denticulation along the upper obverse and lower reverse borders, with crescents of virgin planchet in the opposite areas further identifying the error type. As the authors of the 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins book observe:

All [examples of this error] look almost exactly like this specimen as far as their percentage and position off-center [sic], the degree of metal flow, and the design elements missing (the denticles on both the obverse and reverse). These denticles are on the actual coin die, so if they are missing on the struck coin, the coin is considered a true off-center [sic] strike. Because there are three such pieces that appear to have been struck at the same time, we can assume that instead of being a one-of-a-kind striking, this piece is a survivor of a malfunction of the coining press. On the other hand, the three examples confirmed at the time of that writing are not alike in terms of preservation. Two are similar - the present coin and another certified MS-65 PL by NGC - but the third is an NGC AU-55 that appeared in Heritage's August 2006 sale of the Henderson Collection of U.S. Gold Errors.

One of the finest known for this off center overdate half eagle, and famous as the 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins plate, this is a spectacular classic U.S. Mint gold coin error that would serve as a centerpiece in a world-class cabinet.

Provenance: From the Nicholas P. Brown Collection of U.S. Mint Errors. Plated in the 2010 reference 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins by Nicholas P. Brown, David J. Camire and Fred Weinberg, p. 20.

To read the complete item description, see:
Jaw-Dropping 1901/0-S Half Eagle Struck 10% Off Center (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1UQEND/19010-s-liberty-head-half-eagle-fs-301-struck-10-off-center-ms-64-pl-ngc)