Washington Dollar Errors - Comprehensive Listing of Confirmed Error Coins

The list of confirmed Washington Dollar errors has gotten so long, so fast, that I am breaking them down into four sections:

• Major Washington Dollar Errors



• Minor Washington Dollar Errors



• Frequently Reported Non-Errors



• Damage and Miscellaneous Finds

In general, when I say a Washington Dollar error has been "confirmed," I mean that I have seen a photo of the error or variety which has been posted by a reliable person who has the coin, or has had the coin long enough to photograph it; I have seen the coin myself; or I have a report from a top-notch expert in coin errors that has personally seen the error. eBay auctions from coin dealers with excellent feedback who have accurately posted and described the error for sale will be included in my list, but noted as such. Values are impossible to determine in any meaningful way this early in the process, but I will note the maximum sale prices where known for major errors. Your coin is almost certainly not worth the "maximum prices" I have listed! I include this for curiosity only; the market entered a frenzied period after mass media press coverage of the so-called GODLESS DOLLAR which saw some astonishing prices for trivial errors (and non-errors.)

I will continue to post more information as I get it. Photos and detailed descriptions will be available in a few weeks when things settle down. Please subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter to receive updates.

Major Washington Dollar Errors That Are Confirmed

Missing Edge Lettering - Mostly referred to now as the plain edge dollars; also called the Godless Dollars, or smooth edge dollars. No edge lettering was applied to the coins. An estimated 80,000 to 100,000 Philadelphia Mint specimens exist, mostly found in the greater Tallahassee, Florida area; Denver Mint specimens are widely dispersed, with reports from 7 states including Illinois, Indiana, California, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and Wisconsin. The largest number of D-Mint specimens has emerged from the southern California area, about 75 to 100 miles north of Los Angeles, although reports are known throughout the state. The first plain edge coin (D-Mint from Chicago) was publicly announced by "Chicago Ron" Guinazzo and sold for $612 on eBay; Maximum price seen was $1,875 for an NGC certified "generic" specimen.

Doubled Edge Lettering, Two Impressions - Washington Dollar edge lettering appears twice, in two very clear sets of letters. The coin was obviously run through the edge lettering segment twice, with the second impression having such placement that the first impression is clearly visible. No coins sold as of yet; only three specimens known to exist; first reported by Shawn & Michelle Bell. This error appears extremely rare, considering everyone is paying so much attention to the edges.

Blank Planchet With Edge Lettering - One confirmed specimen, found in Fort Collins, Colorado, from a Denver roll, and authenticated by PCGS. Finders Ray & Mary Smith say they're not selling it.

Blank Planchet, No Edge Lettering - At least 75 confirmed specimens, probably at least 200 exist. They're being found all over the United States, from both mints, as is typical for this type of error. What is not typical is hearing of so many so soon. May turn out to much more common than Sacagawea blank planchets, especially considering we have a LOT of Presidents yet to go on the same planchet type. Highest price I saw was $1,000 as a Buy-It-Now sale on eBay.

Missing Clad Layer - The coin is missing the reverse clad layer, which was lost before striking, and was discovered by Mary C. in Michigan. It is on its way to NGC now. Authenticated (by Tom DeLorey) tentatively based on photos, weight, appearance and my careful interview of the coin's owner. Unknown value at this point.

Broken Planchet - The planchet had a small piece broken off before the burnishing process, which caused the otherwise normally struck coin to get stuck in the edge lettering machine. Lettering shows multiple times near break, then fades away. Unique specimens, 3 varieties known.

Rotated Die Axis - The die axis is rotated aproximately 93%, meaning that when you hold the coin with Washington's head up, and then turn the coin over from top to bottom, the Statue of Liberty is standing at about a 93% angle. Although several minor rotated die axis errors are known (all within legal mint tolerances) this is the first (and so far only?) major rotated die axis.

Minor Washington Dollar Errors

Unburnished Planchet - Confirmed reports of several dozen specimens. There may be two types of this error, one a black, sort of burnt-looking type planchet, and the other a dull, dark brass-like color. I have confirmed the non-burnt type; several dozen reported to me, many more on eBay, total number unknown.

Die Clash - Usually referred to on eBay as an "extra spike on Liberty's crown," minor die clashes probably number in the thousands. Several specimens showing very strong clashes are also known.

Various Die Cracks - Varieties include:

• Wounded Liberty - A spear-like crack run across Liberty's midsection, with specimens ranging from strong cracks to barely noticeable ones.



• Wild Whisker - A die crack on Washington's chin, with specimens ranging from long crooked, but thin cracks extending across the chin and beyond in both directions (NW to SE), to a barely noticeable 1 mm crack.



• Canceled Date - The die crack runs from the rim at about 6:00, turns to the east, and crosses through the second date on the obverse, where it ends (in the specimens I've seen, anyway. There are likely to be later die states.)

Minor Die Breaks - Typical breaks around letters; the first S in STATES is noted in scores of specimens, and usually sold as a "filled S" error. I have one report, confirmed by photo, of a specimen displaying the so-called "filled S" type of die breakage around the first S, plus a "capped A" die break (a small cud appears above the A in STATES.)

The long list of Washington Dollar errors continues on the next page.