Just started collecting again after taking a break for nearly 60 years. What I'd like to know is what the number in parenthesis just to the left of the mintage number stands for. For example, the 1915 double eagle has a "50" just to the left of the 152,00 mintage. 50 what? Thanks for helping an old newby! Dave D
It must be the number of Proofs minted. It is always an even number. Raw sales figures could never be that consistent unless the mint makes X number of Proofs and holds them until they all sell. I know that the mint has melted unsold Proof coins at times. It’s been mentioned for some 19th century issues, like the Twenty Cent Pieces.
