United States Mint employees making coins. National Archives, San Francisco Mint images.
MAKING LEGENDS
Mistakes happen. Sometimes a Mint recalls an entire issue of flawed coins in order to destroy them. But a few survive. Or a mint makes coins as an experiment but then cannot recover all the samples. The rare survivors of these accidents often become famous. Other legendary coins are contrived. Unscrupulous mint employees have struck unauthorized coins, hoping to profit from them. The Philadelphia Mint was famous for such activities in the 19th century. With exposure, these “fantasy” objects may gain great monetary value. |
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LOOKING FOR LEGENDS
Collectors are especially intrigued by accidents, errors, and fantasies. They haunt coin stores, shows, and auctions seeking these unusual items.
Take the story of the 1913 Liberty Head nickel. In 1919, a well-known dealer began advertising his interest in purchasing this coin. But what few knew was that only five had actually been made — and he already owned them all. While thousands searched, the value grew. Years later the dealer sold the five at great profit.
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