This remarkable coin is the antithesis of the plain edge dollar. Where the plain edge dollars got the die strike but no edge lettering, this planchet got the edge lettering but no die strike! There were a lot of jokes about this type having been found shortly after the so-called "Godless Dollars" were noticed by the mainstream media. Some of the best had to do with the finders of this coin, Mary and Ray Smith of Colorado, not being able to "make heads or tails of the coin they found." Supposedly (according to some accounts) the only way they knew it was supposed to be a Presidential Dollar was because it was in a roll with other Presidential Dollars! Of course I don't believe this, because Mary and Ray had heard about the Presidential Dollar plain edge coins being found en masse, and like many other enterprising Americans, they went to the bank and bought some rolls, probably hoping to get lucky and make a few extra bucks selling their finds on eBay.
Instead, Ray and Mary Smith (is that their real names? I've often wondered...) hit the PCGS jackpot, and collected a $2,500 reward from PCGS president Ron Guth for being the first person to submit a blank Presidential planchet with edge lettering on it for grading.
Since this time, numerous fake plain edge dollars and fake "faceless dollars" have emerged, so if you're in the market to buy one, be sure you buy from an honest coin dealer or buy only coins in major grading service slabs.
Instead, Ray and Mary Smith (is that their real names? I've often wondered...) hit the PCGS jackpot, and collected a $2,500 reward from PCGS president Ron Guth for being the first person to submit a blank Presidential planchet with edge lettering on it for grading.
Since this time, numerous fake plain edge dollars and fake "faceless dollars" have emerged, so if you're in the market to buy one, be sure you buy from an honest coin dealer or buy only coins in major grading service slabs.