Mint mistakes: What’s your favorite story?

December 7, 2017

Pat Heller

Joseph Stalin’s initials are not on the Roosevelt dime, though there were rumors in 1946 that Mint Chief Engraver John Sinnock’s initials stood for the Soviet dictator.

The Communist hammer and sickle emblem is not on the Kennedy half dollar. Mint Chief Engraver Gilroy Robert’s initials were misconstrued in 1964.

While numismatics often involves serious research, there are also opportunities to have a little fun with the subject.

On Thursday, March 8, 2018, I will be delivering a Money Talks program at the American Numismatic Association National Money Show in Irving, Texas. My presentation is titled “Oops! A Lighthearted Review of Design (?!) Mistakes on Circulating U.S. Coins.”

I already have a number of examples such as the anatomically incorrect eagle on the original Morgan dollar, a woman dressed as a man, designs where important details wore off quickly, ran afoul of decency standards, or where the face value was not explicitly stated. Then there are coins such as the “Buffalo” nickel, which does not depict a genuine buffalo on either side.

I have accumulated several examples to include in this presentation, but I am confident that readers may have a few more to share. So, this week I am asking for your help. What U.S. circulating coin design mistakes do you know about? Any ideas would be appreciated. Please send them to me at path@libertycoinservice.com. Thank you for any help you can offer.