Does any one know the mintage of this error? It is described in the past few red books but no mintage figures or prices are given.
In conversation with Anthony Swiatek about three years ago ( ANA convention in Baltimore ??) he offered some interesting recollections. First of all, Anthony is the past president of the ANA and respected author and student of US commemorative coins. He is indeed "Mr. Commemorative". As I recall he said that he was present in Denver at the initial striking Ceremony with the Director of the Mint Mary Brooks. Later at a dinner party Ms Brooks was notified that the mint workers had discovered they were striking the dollars with a medallic reverse ( sic. inverted reverse ). She ordered a call back and melting of all the coins already produced and/or shipped to the Post Office. Anthony stated that the number which may have escaped that process was probably 50 to 60 coins. He then said ( again to my best recollection ) that years later he met a mint employee (forman?) who was also there in 1989 and his estimate was closer to 40 coins. I have been watching for offers to either buy or sell this coin for some 10 years now and I have only encountered around six such offerings including two from Mr Swiatek. I now own two in NGC MS-69 holders but since NGC considers them errors they do not track numbers certified. One came from Morris Scott ANA LM799 in Brookville Ohio and the other from Mr. Swiatek. Hope this helps.
