See finger mashed in coining press

Expecting blood and gore? Nope, it's a feeder finger, the planchet pusher that puts planchets between the dies. For whatever reason, it didn't get out of the way and became a 2000-D Maryland quarter.

Up for bid as lot 4002 in Heritage's August ANA auction.

Someone had fun using a hole saw to make the finger fit in an oversize NGC holder. What do you grade it?

Cal

 

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I'm surprised NGC didn't grade it!

@paddyman98 would like this!

 

They misspelled Maryland on the slab. Someone will probably pay extra for that.

 

What's really interesting is that someone managed to smuggle it out of the Mint!...hey, wait a minute...you don't suppose...nah, they wouldn't...would they?

 

Good eye!!!

 

I'm guessing the following scenario is how it was smuggled out of the mint: The operator who removed it from the press knew it was valuable and tossed it in the metal scrap bin as per SOP. Before the metal scrap bins are moved outside for pickup, they are inspected for coins, planchets, coin metal strips, etc.. However, the inspector missed the partial coin impression on the end of broken finger. The operator or a confederate was able to retrieve the finger from the bin outside the mint or perhaps at the scrap dealer.

Cal

 

Meow thinks they used a Forstner Bit to make the extra holes.

 

Definitely possible. I believe the white inserts in NGC slabs are relatively soft PE plastic, so they may have used a punch.

Cal

 

That, or... the Mint realizes (they know what's going on out here, in fact we probably have Mint employees among us on CT) that they can profit from these "aberrations" (kind of like how Goodwill now searches their donations for valuables & sells them through their eBay accts or other means).

There just seems to be too many issues with dimes struck on nails, etc. and other anomalies. I've seen Mint operations in person & on video & find it hard to believe that many of these "incidents" are merely from the normal course of actions, or irresponsible Mint employees. Why would a Mint employee risk, at a minimum, his job, for the small amount he could gain by an individual act.

Meanwhile, an organized, cumulative effort to market "anomalies" by the Mint would result in significant secondary income? OK, I'm not suggesting a conspiracy, just food for thought! Half joke, half serious consideration!

JMHO

 

At least there is a plausible scenario as to how this was created, unlike those nails and things we had been talking about. Definitely had help getting out of the mint, though!

And I'm pleasantly surprised to see no grade.

 

Wonder what the other side looks like?

 

You can see both sides and close-ups at the Heritage website. See link. Cal

link: https://coins.ha.com/itm/errors/200...8-4002.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

 

Excellent! And at current bid of $3,600 ($4,320 with buyer's premium), this sort of backs up my theory about the Mint supporting such activity. Otherwise, it shouldn't be difficult to track down the culprit for this item. Just sayin'...

 

I'll pass at $4320 but I would have been in the running at $4300, not!

 

Tell me about it. I used to make the rounds of many of the Goodwill stores near me here in Houston (many stores in Houston) picking up silver jewelry, other silver items, and quality watches on the cheap. Not anymore. Now they're required to closely inspect all jewelry for markings and they have "experts" who have experience at recognizing possibly valuable items. They also do a lot of research on the possibly valuable items.
In the past, besides jewelry and watches, I've gotten art prints signed by the artists, some framed, some not; many collectibles of various kinds/artists; collectible china and porcelain, etc.. I got a 100% Cashmere sport coat from Neiman-Marcus for $15.99. I checked the N-M website and the jacket retailed for almost $2000.00 !

I liked the thrill of discovery.
Nowadays, any silver you find is price marked higher than melt. Everything worth a darn is on their websites. I seldom bother with Goodwill anymore.
There was a time when Thrift Shops, Estate Sales, garage sales, and other such places were great for finding really good deals..........and then everyone got educated.

As B.B. King would say "The Thrill is Gone".
watch

 

I've used this one before but it's a good time again.

 

I look at that item then think about what coins I would buy with $3,600. Double good grief!

 

As an antique collector and dealer I go with the belief that if it was made then someone collects it.

 

I'm wondering why NGC didn't label it was a "Mint Error"?

The Mint production floor is like an industrial construction site, tools, spare-parts, broken-parts forklifts, grease, carts, crates, dollies, rags, you name it, it's there!

Mint employees are gov't employees. Gov't employees receive Letters of Appreciation, Promotions, Time-Off Awards, Step Increases and Cash Awards, to name a few.

I wouldn't be surprised of these (for lack of a better word) anomalies (ERRORS?) are intentionally made/produced and presented to mint employees deserving of recognition for outstanding work, performance or service! Or a nice retirement gift! It would definitely save the gov't a lot of money!