Bringing the latest mint error news to the collector. Also featuring Die Trials, Patterns, Test Pieces, Numismatic Rarities, Currency Errors and Discoveries from the U.S. Mint.
The Only U.S. Gold Coin Struck on an Elliptical Planchet!
This is the only known U.S. gold coin of any denomination struck on an elliptical planchet!
An elliptical planchet is created when the planchet strip fails to properly advance forward, producing an elliptical clip and a crescent clip blank.
The elliptical planchet is oval, but when struck it usually expands in the collar and looses much of its "football shape." Fortunately that is not the case with this unique gold $5 Eagle struck on an elliptical planchet. Weighing only 3 grams, it retains the "football shape" and is missing part of the stars and edge from 7 o'clock to 11 o'clock. Mechanical doubling is clearly visible since it was not seated in the collar properly.
I have handled many gold errors on U.S. coins including three gold Indian Head cents, the unique gold Buffalo nickel, the unique $20 Liberty struck on a large cent blank, as well as off-centers, double strikes and brockages.
I am only aware of one world gold coin struck on an elliptical planchet. I handled it over 20 years ago. It is a Great Britain gold sovereign struck on an elliptical planchet.
It is exciting handling a new discovery that is a unique gold mint error. This U.S. gold coin struck on an elliptical planchet fits perfectly in a collection of unique mint errors or in a collection of U.S. gold coins.
The only known world gold coin struck on an elliptical planchet is a Great Britain gold sovereign struck on an elliptical planchet.
