Unique 1906 Liberty Head Nickel Die Cap Struck on an Indian Head Cent Planchet
By Mike Byers – Mint Error News
I have handled more U.S. type coin die caps than any dealer over my 50 year career as a full-time mint error coin dealer. Most of these rarities are in my archive of sold coins on my website. These include three large cent die caps, eight Indian Head cent die caps, three two cent die caps, five Barber dime die caps and one Barber quarter die cap. Additionally I have handled one Buffalo nickel die cap, one Mercury dime die cap, one Eisenhower dollar die cap and many others.
The Only Known U.S. Type Coin Die Cap Off-Metal
This 1906 Liberty Head nickel obverse die cap struck on an Indian Head cent planchet is the only known U.S. type coin die cap off-metal. It is unique, in superb condition, very dramatic and has an incredible pedigree (Fred Weinberg, Mark Lighterman, Mike Byers).
A copper planchet weighing 3.1 grams intended for an Indian Head cent entered the collar and was struck by dies for the Liberty Head nickel. It was not ejected from the collar and was repeatedly struck as it wrapped around the obverse die, becoming an obverse die cap.
From Fred Weinberg to Mark Lighterman
It was purchased raw in a collection by Fred Weinberg in 2002. I was in Fred’s office when he purchased it. Fred and I met weekly in his office and bought and sold major mint errors regularly. I desperately wanted to purchase this unique off-metal die cap but Fred had promised first shot to a well known coin collector, Mark Lighterman. I had second shot as Fred picked up the phone and spoke to Mark who purchased it on the spot.
Fred submitted it to NGC and Dave Camire, NGC’s expert mint error specialist, authenticated it and NGC certified it MS 66 BN. It remained in Mark Lighterman’s collection for ages, and crossed to PCGS and was certified MS 65 BN. It was then sent to NCS and was certified by NGC as MS 65 RB.
A World-Class Mint Error Collection
Mark Lighterman is the current president of the American Numismatic Association (ANA). In my opinion, he has one of the top world class U.S. mint error off-metal collections in the world. He also owns the unique 1851 $20 Liberty Head struck on a large cent planchet, that I used to own. This rarity was featured in my 1975 catalog of major mint errors, published by mint error dealer John Devine.
Two Unique Liberty Head Nickel Die Caps
This Liberty Head nickel die cap eventually was placed in another private collection. The owner then sold it to me along with another unique Liberty Head nickel die cap: a 1896 Liberty Head nickel obverse die cap flip-over double strike. Both are featured on the cover of Mint Error News Magazine Issue 94.
Mint Error News Magazine Issue 94:
