Money. Did you see the prices on those fabricated errors shown in post #8? Rogue employee. If they had been caught by mint security before they got out they would have been. Now that they are out in the marketplace the government could in theory confiscate and destroy them, they just haven't bothered to do so. Just like they haven't bothered to actually try and confiscate the Toven 1974 aluminum cent. They have said it is government property, but have taken no steps to actually recover it.
Thanks. I get that someone did it for money (obviously) if it was a rogue employee. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't directed by the Mint itself for whatever reason they might give.
No,They weren't 'sanctioned' Most of the time, items like this are struck 'out of boredom' - I've been told that numerous times over the decades directly from ex-employees
Fred, are employees searched going in and out of Mint facilities? If so, do they only check pockets, or maybe not allowed to wear clothes with pockets at all today?
Mint employees (and all guests) all go thru metal detectors both coming into, and leaving, the Mint buildings - Denver, Philly, and S.F. - I've done it numerous times. The last time I took a special floor tour of the West Point Mint (over 10 years ago), they had a special machine that actually determined the amount of metal in your body - the machine gave you a 'rating' when you came in each morning, and you had better have the same 'rating number' when you leave (or within some tolerance) It was very impressive to see it in use.
Yes, actually the Guards told us that they tell the Mint employees to take their vitamins (Iron, anyone?) when they get home, instead of before they leave home to go to the WPM. As I recall, my 'number' walking in that morning was 62, or 63, and when I left, it was 61 (not exact #'s, but close to what I remember)