I am totally ignorant of the why and wherefore behind its striking although there is a proposed
partial explanation on another incredible example posted below. However, the explanation is unsatisfactory on a number of counts. How on earth did a struck
planchet find its way into a batch of unstuck planchets of a different
denomination? I can only suggest deliberate action to do so by a
mint employee. Then the coin
had to find its way out of the.
mint. Some employee indulging in a
bit of error creation for personal financial benefit?
Certainly, it seems the US
Mint had some real problems in the late seventies. Here's another stunning example from the following year 1979 over 1978.....
Incredible Double
Denomination Anthony Dollar Error
Overstruck on a Jefferson NickelBelieved Unique
1979-P Anthony Dollar--Overstruck on a 1978 Jefferson Nickel--MS-67 (
NGC).
A fascinating and exceedingly
rare double
denomination error. The smaller
nickel planchet took only
part of the Anthony dollar design, the borders and upwards of half of the peripheral devices off the
flan. Enough of the date is present to readily confirm the 1979
attribution, and the P
mintmark is clear. Also clear is the
undertype, much of Monticello discernible over Anthony's
portrait, while on the
reverse a partially outlined Jefferson
portrait from the
nickel is evident. Closer inspection reveals only the bottom loop of the digit 8 in the date of the
nickel, just below the letter E in AMERICA in the Anthony dollar design. Both sides are brilliant with a bright, satiny, virtually pristine appearance.T
his major Mint error was created when a struck 1978 Jefferson nickel accidentally found its way into a bin of dollar planchets and was struck again by the Anthony dies. Double
denomination errors in the Anthony dollar series are very
rare, we are aware of just two specimens with Washington quarter undertypes, a 1999-P
overstruck on a Georgia State quarter, a 1979-D
overstruck on a 1978-D Roosevelt dime, a 1979-P
overstruck on a
Lincoln cent, and the present example. We believe that this coin is unique for a double
denomination Anthony dollar involving a Jefferson
nickel. Highly significant, and worthy of inclusion in the finest error
collection.
From Heritage's FUN Signature Coin
Auction of January 2014, lot 6297.