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.
PCGS Certifies 1965 English Penny Struck on a Gold Planchet
This is one of the most spectacular major mint errors of all time. It is a 1965 English Penny struck on a gold planchet weighing 18.3 grams instead of being struck on a copper planchet. This unique numismatic rarity first surfaced in 1975 when Fred Weinberg bought it in a deal. I was in his office a few days later and immediately purchased it for $5,000 after admiring and examining it. It sold quickly to one of my customers.
It is a pleasure handling this unique Gold Penny again after thirty years. It has been authenticated and certified Mint State 62 by PCGS and is still the only one known. The diameter is 30.8 mm which is slightly larger than a U.S. Kennedy Half Dollar. It is as struck, in choice mint state condition with spectacular blazing luster.
Upon certifying this coin, Fred Weinberg stated:
"it was totally unexpected when I saw this 'old friend' cross my desk, since I authenticate the mint errors for PCGS. I bought and sold this unique English Penny struck in gold thirty years ago. After selling it to Mike Byers at that time, I remember the thrill of holding this heavy English gold Penny in my hand. It was just certified by PCGS in January 2007 and is still one of the neatest, exciting and most obvious 'off-metal' coins of any type that I have ever handled."
Featured on the cover of Mint Error News Magazine Issue 18 (Summer 2007):
