by Greg Bennick - Exclusive to Mint Error News




Errors on Standing Liberty Quarters Are Rare Indeed

It goes without saying that every coin series is different but lets see how that applies to major mint errors. Beyond the typical differences of design, denomination, and date, there are levels to rarity from series to series in terms of how many major errors that series has produced and left behind.

We can look at the history of United States Federal coinage as a somewhat similar array in terms of the purpose of coinage itself and its role in our society. But the series themselves are very different in terms of aspects such as their production details, the quantity of coins produced over the course of the series, and especially in terms of the known major errors amidst them.

Take Lincoln cents for instance. If you were to show me a double struck Lincoln cent, I might enjoy the error, but I wouldn't think twice about the series on which we are seeing that particular error type. That changes quickly if you show me the same error, a double struck coin, but on a Mercury dime, or on a Shield nickel. Now, you would have my attention. Both are series in which double strikes (and major mint errors) are very uncommon or rare.

Another example would be an off-metal nickel on cent. It sounds like a great error to add to my collection as wrong planchet errors are indeed very cool. But there are more of certain dates (1978, 1979, 1980) than others even if those are still great coins. And in a different series the landscape changes dramatically. One of my first ever purchases, as a ten-year-old, was an 1889 Liberty nickel struck on an Indian cent planchet. Now we are in double digits in terms of how many are known rather than far greater numbers for Jefferson nickels struck on cent planchets.

This brings us to Standing Liberty Quarters and the coin I am showcasing in this article. This is a perfect example of how a series can produce very few major errors over the course of its run. This is a 1917-S Standing Liberty Quarter, struck off center. On many modern series, even from the 20th Century, this - as an error type - isn't the stuff of legend. On a Standing Liberty Quarter, however, even though struck in the 20th century, it certainly is the stuff of legend. In fact, this coin came from the legendary collection showcased page by page via a reprint of the original auction catalog in the last issue of Mint Error News. This was the Milt Cohen Collection, sold decades ago by the late New York error dealer Natalie Halpern. I highly recommend that you go back and look carefully over every lot in that fantastic error sale.

The sale, a showcase of some spectacular mint errors and one-of-a-kind pieces, earned its reputation through the large number of coins from series with far less errors than typically seen on others. This off-center Standing Liberty Quarter was one of those.

It was described in the sale as Lot #46, 1917-S Standing Liberty Quarter, Type 1, VG, Probably unique. Again, an off-center quarter, whether on Mercury Dimes, Jefferson Nickels, Indian Cents or numerous other series, wouldn't be nearly as impressive as an off-center Standing Liberty Quarter. The coin has a wonderful patina, and even wear, but beyond that, its just a very cool experience to see an off center Standing Liberty Quarter firsthand.

So how does this help support you as a collector and buyer of major mint errors? If you combine the knowledge that some series are less prevalent in terms of the numbers of major errors they have produced, it gives you a solid research launching pad from which to explore and learn. I would recommend auction records, old catalogs, and use those as educational tools to learn what has sold throughout the history of the hobby.

Do this and you will see trends in what is selling, what has been sold, and what has been offered. Look at which types of errors in each series are selling. The series represented less often, and the mint error types within those series are ones you will want to focus on as you are considering purchasing major mint errors based on rarity.

Thank you for reading! As always, I would be happy to hear from you with comments or questions at minterrors@gmail.com. And of course, if you happen to have fantastic errors for sale, please get in touch with us here at Mint Error News, because we would love to hear from you. Until next time...