One Of A Kind
"The term unique means one of a kind. In numismatics that is a very sought after distinction, since the collector who owns a unique coin has no competition. In United States coins there are quite a few unique coins. And not counting grading levels, which sorts out coins by their grade, there are a number of reasonably well known unique coins."
One Of A Kind
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1873 Aluminum Cent
"Most die trial pieces were made in limited numbers. Since these were intended solely to test the dies, or to be used as gifts for collectors, and there was no consideration give to distributing them to Congressmen so as to influence a decision for a design change, only a small number were made. Judd estimates 4 to 12 known (Rarity-7) for the typical die trial piece ........"
1873 Aluminum Cent
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1974 Aluminum Cent
"The famous 1974 aluminum cent. Although this piece is listed in the pattern books, it is technically not a pattern, die trial or experimental piece. It is really a rejected or cancelled regular issue similar to the 1964 Peace Dollar or the 1907 Rolled Edge Eagle.
During the early 1970s the price of copper was rising to the point where the penny almost contained one cents worth of copper. This led to the mint testing alternative metals. Aluminum was chosen to the point where over 1.5 million of these were struck and were ready for delivery to the public before ultimately being rejected."
1974 Aluminum Cent - 1 1974 Aluminum Cent - 2 1974 Aluminum Cent - 3 1974 aluminum cent remains illegal
"The Mint's policy regarding the 1974-dated aluminum one-cent pieces remains the same; the pieces were experimental and never issued by the Mint. Any still outstanding are considered property of the United States government and may not be circulated, sold or held in collections. If they were to appear in the hands of the public, they are, and will continue to be, subject to confiscation by the United States Secret Service, as no individual may acquire valid title to them."
Still Illegal
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1944 Steel Cent
"The first 1944 steel cent to be submitted to the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) under its new Mint Error Program has been certified as authentic and graded MS60. The off-metal rarity is one of the few mint state examples of this error known to exist."
"The 1944 steel cent is regarded by many as the poor sister of the more famous 1943 copper cent, but in reality it's a great rarity in and of itself," said Fred Weinberg, mint error specialist/consultant for PCGS and a world-renowned authority. "This is one of the neatest of all mint errors, and there are probably less than five mint state pieces known to exist. One specialist was able to trace only two examples in mint state."
1944 Steel Cent - 1 1944 Steel Cent - 2
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1943 Cent Struck on Foreign Coin Blank
"The story behind a 1943 Lincoln cent that was struck on a foreign planchet may prove to be nearly as interesting as the coin itself.
The coin, struck on a planchet intended for a coin of the island of Curacao being struck under contract by the U.S. Mint, was found in circulation and purchased for a cent in the mid-1960s. Between 1966 and today, the largest part of the story has only been known to the owner and a select few of his intimates. In a recent telephone interview with Coin World, G.F. Lewis, the owner, shared the details."
'43 Cent - Foriegn Blank
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1915 Copper Nickel Cent
"A 1915 Lincoln cent struck in a copper-nickel alloy purportedly as part of a U.S. Mint experiment for a nonrusting composition has surfaced after decades in a private collection.
In his reference work, United States Patterns and Related Issues, Andrew W. Pollock III identifies as "unique(?)" a 1915 Lincoln cent struck in copper-nickel with a plain edge, citing the specimen was offered by New York dealer Thomas Elder in his February 1919 auction catalog."
Copper Nickel Cent
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The First Indian Eagle
"During his term as president, Theodore Roosevelt exerted tremendous influence over the United States Mint and fulfilled his desire to bring the nation's coinage into the 20th century.
In so doing, he helped to create what many numismatists believe is one of the most beautiful coins in U.S. history. First produced by the Mint in 1907, the Indian Head $10 eagle is the work of Augustus Saint-Gaudens.
Now, what may be the first example of this coin produced is coming to auction: the unique Wire Rim, Plain Edge version."
First Indian Eagle
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1933 Double Eagle
"Treasury Secretary William H. Woodin displayed five 1933 $20 gold double eagles to numismatist Stephen K. Nagy that year and offered him one, Nagy told the Secret Service, a researcher reports.
The only specimen verified to be outside government possession was auctioned to an unnamed buyer for $7.59 million July 30.
Nagy's account was in a Secret Service report from its April 1944 interview with him, contained in papers obtained by attorneys through the Freedom of Information Act, researcher R.W. Julian said."
'33 Double Eagle - How Many ? Offical web site of Author - James Twining
Want to know the story of the 1933 double eagle ? You can find facts and information here that you may not be able to find elsewhere. Twining wrote the best selling novel
The Double Eagle, but his research for the book was quite meticulous and accurate. Most of that research is available on his web site.
'33 Double Eagle - Facts
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The Coin That Saved a Life - Legend Proves True
"Ongoing forensic examination of an 1860 Coronet gold $20 double eagle that saved the life of a Confederate soldier on a Civil War battlefield in 1862 only to accompany its owner to a watery grave two years later is yielding concrete evidence supporting the story often considered a legend.
The gold coin is said to have deflected a bullet during the April 6, 1862, Battle of Shiloh, from the future commander of the Confederate submarine CSS H.L. Hunley, Lt. George Dixon."
Legend Proves True
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1922 High Relief Peace dollar
"A previously unknown 1922 Peace dollar with a level of relief described as between the high relief used in 1921 and the low relief found on all 1922 to 1935 circulating dollars has been discovered and authenticated by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America.
The coin was on display at the bourse table of Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America at the Aug. 8 to 12 American Numismatic Association convention in Atlanta. The coin is graded About Uncirculated 55 and is presently considered unique."
1922 High Relief Peace dollar
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Confederate Cents
"Early in 1861, before the Civil War began (April 15), the Confederate States of America investigated producing its own coins and currency. The capital at the time was located in Montgomery, Alabama, later to relocate to Richmond.
The CSA desired to create its own distinctive coinage that could be widely circulated. At the time most of the prominent diecutters and engravers were located in the North. According to numismatic tradition, authorities contacted Bailey and Company, well known jewelers and medal issuers in Philadelphia, and sought their help in finding a diecutter to create a coinage. They tapped the talents of Robert Lovett, Jr., well known in the trade.
Lovett created a distinctive design, the obverse featuring his French Liberty Head (created in 1860 for his own advertising tokens), with the bold inscription surrounding, CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA. The reverse depicted a wreath enclosing 1/CENTS below which was a bale bearing his initial L. Twelve examples were struck by Lovett in copper-nickel metal, the same format as currently used for federal Indian Head cents."
Confederate Cents
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