This photo isn't the best in the world, but it's a historically important one to those interested in Washington Presidential Dollar error coins: It is the first plain edge dollar to be listed on eBay! Ironically, (since most of the frenzy would take place in Florida,) this first known publicly sold specimen was found in the Chicago area, from Denver Mint coins, by "Chicago Ron" Guinazzo. Ron posted it on eBay around 10 pm on Feb. 15, 2007 (the first day the Washington Dollars were sold to the public.) It sold for $612.
However, nearly two weeks before Chicago Ron's auction began, there were already harbingers of things to come... I received this email from a central (bank) vault manager on Feb. 2, 2007:
However, nearly two weeks before Chicago Ron's auction began, there were already harbingers of things to come... I received this email from a central (bank) vault manager on Feb. 2, 2007:
We received the new Washington dollars from the Fed in Jacksonville, and about a third of them have lettering on the rim that is right side up, 1/3 have it up side down, and 1/3 have none at all. Is this normal for these coins? Love your site and thanks for the help, HeatherWho could ever have guessed how big this would become!?