NGC Certifies 2016 Silver Eagle with Very Rare Mint Error
Posted on 5/21/2018
A collector recently submitted a very rare and dramatic Silver Eagle mint error to NGC.
The error, known as a die clash, occurs when the obverse and reverse dies come together without a planchet between them. This transfers design elements from one die to the other. These transferred designs are then visible on the coins struck by that die pair.
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| This 2016 Bullion Silver Eagle, graded NGC MS 69, shows extensive die clashes on the obverse and reverse. Click images to enlarge. |
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As can be seen in the photos above, the design transfer is much more noticeable on the obverse, where a great deal of detail from the eagle’s feathers has been transferred. Even the “LUR” and “BUS” in “E PLURIBUS UNUM” has been transferred from reverse to obverse, which can be seen below.
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| “LUR” and “BUS” from “E PLURIBUS UNUM” are seen transferred to obverse die in this closeup of obverse of the 2016 Silver Eagle with the Die Clash Mint Error. (This image has been inverted and turned upside-down to make the letters easier to see.) Click image to enlarge. |
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According to NGC researchers, this is the most severe example of clashed dies they have found on a U.S. bullion coin of any metal. This particular coin was graded NGC MS 69 and its label recognizes the Clashed Dies Mint Error.
Interestingly, 20 examples of the 2017 bullion eagle with slightly less severe clashing were discovered by an NGC grader last year in a single roll. However, this newly discovered example shows more dramatic clashing than the 2017 pieces do and is currently unique.
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| This 2017 (P) bullion Silver Eagle has dramatic clashing, but it is not quite as pronounced as the 2016 example recently submitted Click images to enlarge. |
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