Categories - Real Error, Normal GMM Repro, Toned, Hobo
Nickel and/or Hobo Tokens, All Things
Con$ept, 1793 Sets, Commissioned Originals, Creation Errors and Piece de
Caprices
1.
1796 With Stars Proof
Quarter Eagle, double struck, first strike centered, second strike approximately
30% off center. Gorgeous! Regular mintage: 300. CS on reverse. MB: $225.00
2.
2000 ANA 109th
Anniversary Convention GMM Medal with 1836 Coronet Large cent reproduction
obverse struck on a brass planchet! Of course these are supposed to be struck
on copper. This medal/reproduction combination was created for use with the
first steam press ever used by the U. S. Mint and recently refurbished by Joe
Rust of the GMM. Hence, the 1836 date which is the first year this press was
used. Mintage limited to the number struck at the convention, which is unknown,
but this is likely the only brass one! MB: $50.00
3.
1796 With Stars Proof
Quarter Eagle Double Struck in Collar. This very rare and genuine
striking error is an error collector's dream! While in Eureka Springs, AR
scanning and photographing the auction lots for this sale, unheralded yet
supreme Chief Coiner, Tim Grat, while striking a small run of the Proof 1796
With Stars Gold Quarter Eagles, created one of the very few genuine errors ever
created at the GMM. (A good portion of the true errors are in this sale!) Of
course, this one happened to be on gold and also happened to be one of the
favorite error types of all error collectors - A TRUE DOUBLE STRIKE! Upon being
struck, instead of ejecting the coin rotated but remained in place between the
dies receiving a second strike. The pictures you see may not be very clear but
I guarantee you, this is a knockout, true error that has had me salivating
since the moment I saw it! Naturally I snagged it from Tim and would not let
him melt it down! Again, this is likely to remain a unique piece from the
Gallery Mint. IF you ever see another, it will likely be a creation and that is
not likely on gold. Regular mintage 300. CS on reverse. MB: $330.00
4.
2002 Uncle Sam/Buffalo Type II Annual Hobo Nickel token
struck on a silver planchet. Mintage was limited but unknown to me. If you
missed this one while available, here’s another chance. I expect GMM, Hobo, and
Buffalo collectors alike will vie strongly for this gorgeous and patriotic work
of art. MB: $18.00
5.
1796 Proof Draped Bust
Dime reproduction with severely misaligned obverse die. This is a genuine
error, perhaps the first production strike for this pair of dies and,
obviously, a set up piece. The GMM, like all mints, does make errors but very
few! Regular mintage 1,000 pieces. CS on reverse. MB: $50.00
6.
1794/1994 Proof
Bicentennial Medal. With a total mintage of 1,758 pieces, these have long been
sold out. CS on reverse. MB: 75.00
7.
1794 Proof Flowing Hair
Half Dime with brockage - Two pieces! CS on fully struck side of each coin.
Regular mintage 790. MB: $100.00
8.
Uncirculated Double
Struck 1804 Dollar reproduction! This is not the only double struck 1804 Dollar
reproduction from the GMM but, to the best of our knowledge, it is the only
GENUINE double strike! Yes, it is a unique, true error that should fetch a
hefty sum. Normally such an error might be melted for more blanks but this one
was spared and now you can benefit from the benevolence of the coiner, Tim
Grat, who saved this one's life! CS on reverse. MB: $125.00
9.
1787 Fugio Reproduction
off metal. This, the finest reproduction of one of America’s most historically
significant and intriguing coins, is struck on a silver planchet instead of the
intended copper. FANTASTIC off metal piece! CS on reverse. MB: $50.00
10. 1796 With Pole Half Cent reproduction off metal. I
don’t know what it is about off metals but all of GMM’s make my mouth water and
this half cent struck on a silver planchet is no exception! CS on reverse. MB:
$50.00
11. March 23,2000 silver ANA commissioned Medal struck
from the U. S. Mint’s first steam press. This coin was struck in Philadelphia
using original dies engraved by Ron Landis and the U. S. Mint’s first steam
press, which has recently been refurbished by Joe Rust, President of the GMM.
These medals were struck predominantly on copper planchets but this is one of
the 200 pieces struck in silver! This will undoubtedly grab a lot of attention
as there is so much history behind this very special issue and non-ANA members
were largely unaware of its availability. Mintage: 200. MB: $75.00
12. This Georgia State quarter is counter-stamped with Ron
Landis engraved dies for the Georgia Numismatic Association for use during the
ANA’s 110th Anniversary
Convention held in Atlanta, Georgia in August of 2001. Many items were
counter-stamped using these dies but, to the best of my knowledge, only 520 GA
quarters were counter stamped with these dies with their purpose being as
handouts to ANA Awards Banquet guests. The obverse die depicts the year 2001
with the capitol dome (covered in 24 karat gold, mind you) in the center with
the words “The Wealth of the South, Atlanta, Georgia” around the periphery. The
reverse sports a depiction of the state of Georgia with the old ANA logo
centered while reading “American Numismatic Assoc 110th Anniversary
Convention,” again, around the periphery. If you are from Georgia, you have to
have this. If you are a GMM collector, you have to have this. If you are a
states’ quarters collector, you have to have this. If you are an ANA
memorabilia collector, you have to have this. If you are a counter-stamp
collector, especially of perhaps the most prized of all modern day
counter-stamps, you have to have this. Are you starting to get my drift?
(Shhhh, don’t tell anyone, your auction cataloger is from Georgia and I, er, I
mean, he wants this one! Too bad I, I mean he, is ineligible to bid.) MB: $8.00
13. 2001 Hiking Hobo Reverse Hobo Nickel carved on a
genuine Indian Head (a.k.a Buffalo) nickel by Ron Landis as a trial master for
the 2001 Hiking Hobo Reverse Hobo Tokens. Notice the date has been carved as
well. The MB: $150.00
14. 2001 “Bo” Washington Hobo Obverse Hobo Nickel carved
on a genuine Indian Head (a.k.a Buffalo) nickel by Ron Landis as a trial master
for the 2001 “Bo” Washington Hobo Tokens. Notice the “Five Cents” under the
Buffalo has also been carved to read “Hobo Token.“ THIS AND THE PREVIOUS ARE
NOT STRUCK TOKENS, THEY ARE ACTUAL RON LANDIS CARVED HOBO NICKELS! MB:
$150.00
15. Circa 485 Athenian Didrachm
reproduction, hot metal (silver button) trial strike. Struck in silver, this is
a nice example of this reproduction and the irregularity of its shape lends to
the reality and appeal of this trial strike. Depicts Athena, Goddess of Wisdom,
on the obverse, and a variety of the classic Owl design on the reverse. Just so
you will know, the regular strikes of these are still available from GMM but
they are the more mundane, more round and, truthfully, less typical
reproductions though the designs are exactly the same and still full of Ron
Landis’s engraving genius. CS on reverse. MB: $20.00 Revised:1/7/2004
16. 2000 ANA 109th Anniversary Convention GMM
Medal with 1836 Coronet Large Cent Reproduction obverse struck approximately
10% off center. This obverse was created for use on the first steam press ever
used at the U. S. Mint while the whole medal was used for the convention.
Different dies were used for the March 23rd striking ceremony.
Again, this was struck on the U. S. Mint‘s first steam press as the enclosed
insert attests. Hence, the 1836 date which is the first year this press was
used. This one is a true error as it was not meant to be struck off center. MB:
$24.00
17. 1787 New Jersey Maris 62.5 without the die crack and
struck slightly off center. Though this does not meet the normal definition of
being struck off center, one must consider there was no collar in place so if
both sides appear to be “misaligned” in the same position, it is struck on a
planchet not well centered on the screw press. CS on reverse. Mintage: 2,222.
MB: $18.00
18. 1793 Proof Half cent reproduction. Not perfect, but
close and, it may be your last chance to acquire one of these beauties!
Mintage: 1,000. CS on reverse. MB: $25.00
19. 1796 With Pole Half cent struck by a “burnt” obverse
die! You’ve heard about this critical, true error and now is your chance to own
one! Less than a handful of repros were struck from this die before it was
salvaged. CS on reverse. MB: $50.00
20. 1793 and 1796 With Pole Half cent, both struck
approximately 50% off center on the same planchet! Two dates three years apart
and two different designs on the same planchet! How would you like to own a
real one? No, this is a GMM reproduction but it is the only way you will ever
own such an awesome item! CS on unstruck portion of reverse. MB: $40.00
21. 1793 Liberty Cap Cent, Uncirculated. These are
becoming quite difficult to find! CS on reverse. MB: $20.00
22. 1793 Undersize (Possibly an already struck half cent
reproduction) Planchet, uncirculated Liberty Cap cent brockaged with a 1796
Proof Half Cent (RON - MAKE CERTAIN I AM CALLING THIS ONE RIGHT!) Two
pieces, of which one brockaged side has two full dates! CS on correctly struck
side of each piece. MB: $60.00
23. Pair of 1788 NJ Maris 51.g reproductions with
brockages. Even the copy stamp is brockaged on one of these! Two pieces. Only
2,000 of the regular issue uncirculated pieces were struck and are very popular
on the after market. More significantly, how many GMM brockages have you seen
with a brockaged copy stamp as well? CS on 3 reverses. MB: $35.00
24. 1787 Fugio Reproduction with Stunning and highly
unusual natural toning causing the copper planchet to appear to be a white
metal while retaining some shades of red, violet and blue. Unbelievably
beautiful! CS on reverse. MB: $30.00
25. 1796 Large Cent pretty much ditto the previous and all
the toned reproductions offered in this sale unless otherwise stated. ALL OF
THEM ARE BREATHTAKINGLY GORGEOUS, NATURAL TONED AND APPEAR TO BE STRUCK ON
WHITE METAL BUT THEY ARE COPPER. We have no idea what element(s) were involved
to cause it and we have never seen it before so will likely not see it again!
CS on reverse. MB: $30.00
26. 1796 Large cent. Ditto the previous except CS on
obverse. MB: $30.00
27. 1796 Large cent. Ditto the lot before last. CS on
reverse. MB: $30.00
28. 1998 Concept Dollar Flowing Hair PATTERN: one of the Gallery Mint Museum's patterns for a new
small-sized dollar coin. Approximately 130 pieces were produced with a date of
1998. Made of brass and BU in grade, these are among the GMM’s most hallowed of
creations and have sold for over $500! MB: $199.00
29. 1796 With Pole Half Cent wrong metal! BU and struck on
a brass planchet! CS Rev. MB: $50.00
30. 1998 Concept Dollar Flowing Hair PATTERN: Ditto
the previous lot. We are so fortunate to have three of these in this sale and I
don’t expect that to diminish the competition! MB: $199.00
31. 1793 Half Cent struck on brass and not the intended
copper! CS on reverse. Normal mintage: 4,118. MB: $50.00
32. 2000 Media Concept. 13-ray obverse. Struck on a normal
thickness planchet, not the heavy Piedfort that was readily available to the
public. Approximately 110 of these were struck for key members of the media,
not for the U. S. Senate as is stated on the insert for this pattern, for the
same reason the 1998 Concepts were created. No collection of “Concepts” is
complete without this one, which fewer people seem to know about. MB: $199.00
33. Ditto the previous, this one without the insert card.
MB: $189.00
34. Ditto the previous, this one with the insert. MB:
$199.00
35. 1796 Draped Bust Silver Dollar Reproduction, double
struck! First strike is normal, second strike is about 50% off center and
remnants of the first strike are clearly visible, having been flattened into
the field with the second strike. MB: $80.00
36. 1794 Draped Bust Silver Dollar with a major die break
(a.k.a. cud) and major die cracks on the obverse. This is a legitimate error
with about 20 pieces of varying degrees of “splitting up” having been struck
once it started. We learned that once a die starts to crack up like this, it
usually doesn’t take long to be completely destroyed! Rare, true error! CS on
reverse. MB: $99.00
37. 1796 Draped Bust Silver Dollar brockaged as sweet as
you will ever see! Of course, that means there are two pieces to this lot. The
copy stamp is on the obverse of one and the reverse of the other. MB: $179.00
38. 1796 Draped Bust Silver Dollar reproduction with
FROSTY WHITE surfaces except for in the crevices around the design elements
which are a stark, contrasting black and I don’t mean they look black from
highly reflective fields! This is the whitest silver coin I have ever seen and
it is a true error. (RON - PLEASE
EXPLAIN CAUSE AGAIN!) CS on reverse. MB: $149.00
39. RHO Delta Commissioned medal, one-ounce silver with
low mintage. The year was 1946 at Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois, and a
group of veterans who found themselves "too old" to fit in with the
other fraternities, decided to establish their own. This fraternity existed as
Rho Delta until 1951 when it became a part of Delta Upsilon. To commemorate
their 50th anniversary, GMM created a medal that depicts the original
fraternity house at Bradley while the reverse depicts the arms of Delta
Upsilon. It has a lettered edge with the Latin motto VERITAS PRAEVALABIT and
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY. The piece was commissioned by Rho Delta founding member,
Harold Landis, father of GMM engraver, Ron Landis. It's not a regular GMM
issue. This particular one has deep golden with light, various other colors
natural toning on the obverse. MB: $40.00
40. Ditto the previous except this one is toned almost a
copper color on the reverse. MB: $50.00
41. 1787 New Jersey Maris-62.5 with the complete,
intentional die crack on the obverse. However, hold the presses! How is this
for a “piece de caprice?” This one is a spectacularly visible bi-metal and then
some! This reproduction started with a silver dollar planchet with a half cent
planchet “plugged” in the middle! But that’s not all! Several cuds have also
developed on both the obverse and reverse dies which indicates either this is
the last or among the last strikes with these dies OR these dies were not used
much, if at all, and would be yet another variety of the GMM’s superior early
state copper reproductions! You can’t ask for more contrast in a coin! I expect
serious bidding on this “champion of the GMM’s early coppers!” Or is that
silvers, or….? Whatever, it is among the more visually stunning pieces ever
produced at the GMM! CS Rev. MB: $95.00
42. 1997 American Numismatic Society (ANS) Coinage of the
Americas Conference (COAC) die trial strike in copper (the intended metal). Ron
and Joe were invited to lecture in 1997 and per their usual almost too accommodating
style, they went above and beyond with a “hands on” lecture in which
participants were permitted to strike their own medals! As far as I know, this
die was engraved by Ron, live, before the audience in New York and all but one
of these (that being a silver one for the GMM archives to be placed on display
in the new museum) were struck there as well! An extremely limited issue for a
MAJOR numismatic educational event. This blank (not planchet, meaning it had
not gone through an upset mill) was struck with the obverse die only! This is
an uncirculated piece but it is not completely red as there is some brown
coming on as it was a “working piece” or tool, even. MB: $125.00
43. 2000 ANA 109th Anniversary GMM Convention
Medal struck with the 1836 obverse large cent die used for the “First Steam
Press” strikes paired with an original reverse engraved for the show. Sounds
good, right? We haven’t even started on this magnificent pair! That’s right, a
pair, which consists of not one, but two die cap strikes of which there is a
counter brockage on one while the other shows evidence of more than one strike.
This is amongst the finest of errors for this die pair! Don’t miss it! MB:
$65.00
44. Circa 485 Athenian
Decadrachm hot metal (silver) trial strike. Theses are still available from GMM
but they certainly don’t all look like this! Struck in silver, this is a nice
example of this reproduction and the irregularity of its shape lends to the reality
and appeal of this trial strike. Depicts Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, on the
obverse, and a variety of the classic Owl design on the reverse. Is also
brighter in color, more like a freshly minted coin than the readily available,
artificially aged, regular versions. CS on reverse. MB: $50.00 Revised:1/7/2004
45. 1794 Proof Dollar reproduction pair (2 pieces)
extremely broad struck with a brockaged reverse! Note: I said PROOF! Simply
phenomenal! This is another of the very few brockaged pieces that also has the
copy stamp brockaged. So, the copy stamp appears on all three of the reverse
depictions. MB: $150.00
46. 1794 Large Cent naturally toned almost to white! CS
Rev. MB: $25.00
47. 1792 Silver Center Cent reproduction toned almost
white! Makes it a little difficult to see the silver center but that’s a. o. k.
by me! Absolutely gorgeous! CS Rev. MB: $40.00
48. 1792 Silver Center Cent reproduction; ditto the
previous lot. CS Rev. MB: $40.00
49. 1796 No Pole and die cracked (as was the original)
reproduction Half Cent with gorgeous red all the way to white toning. CS Rev.
MB: $24.00
50. 1998 Concept Dollar Flowing Hair PATTERN Struck Over a
Genuine 1980-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar! See lot number 28 for the die
description. Now here's the spin: this coin, though struck with original design
dies, was struck on an already struck 1980-D SBA Dollar. Only two such rarities
were struck, this one, in my opinion, being the nicer of the two. This coin has
two eagle heads on the reverse! See the chest of Ron's eagle for the head of
the SBA design eagle! The date and mintmark are clear as well! This will likely
be one of the higher selling items in this auction! MB: $499.00
51. 2003 Newark, NJ Museum “Once Upon a Dime - The World
of Money” exhibit pewter token. This is one of the first strikes of this token
as it was struck to test the dies though there is nothing unusual about its
appearance as all went very well with the test. Ron engraved the dies and Joe
refurbished a screw press (see photos) for a yearlong display which museum
goers will be permitted to strike their own souvenirs. Though it looks
deceptively like a Winged Liberty (a. k. a. Mercury) dime, the diameter is
larger. Personally, I absolutely love this design. There’s just something about
the lengthy obverse denticles combined with the reeded edge! Can’t make it to
Newark to acquire one? Here’s your chance and, again, one of the first (inside
of 20!) strikes from this pair of dies. MB: $20.00
52. 2003 Silver Hobo Token with die cracks on the obverse.
Only about 100 of these with the die cracks were struck and the only ones that
got sold to the public were sold before the die cracks were noticed! A true GMM
variety! Pretty too! Precious metal even whereas these used to be struck over Jefferson
Nickels. MB: $25.00
53. 1000 GMM “Good for $5 in Trade” token. Huh? 1000?
That’s what it has for a date! There also appears to be remnants of an
underlying date. In 1999 the GMM created these trade tokens with an
exceptionally high relief portrait of the Indian using Jefferson Nickels as the
planchet with the intention of them actually being redeemed! Guess what? Like
all other GMM products, owners did not want to let them go and only one has
ever been redeemed! Perhaps during the sale period Ron can shed more light on
the date as all others I have seen are dated 1999. MB: $35.00
54. 1998 Lady Liberty Concept obverse brockaged and
reverse muled with the GMM visitor’s token reverse die on a reproduction large
cent planchet! A mouthful? You bet it is! Obviously, this is a test strike for
the obverse die. The remainder is somewhat of a mystery. Though this “Piece de
Caprice” is red and uncirculated, there is a
minor amount of toning taking place as this too, was a working piece. MB:
$299.00
55. Royal Mint (pre-GMM) “Good for $1.00 in trade per
purchase” token. These were used during the GMMs Royal Mint days at the
Renaissance Festivals. Further explanation appears on Verne Walrafen’s GMM
Scrapbook website thusly: “This is a special piece
made entirely for the purpose of demonstrating roller milled coining at the
Texas Renaissance Festival. The rolling mill was actually powered by an eight
foot undershot water wheel. The rolls of the mill were engraved to print a
continuous strip of four different types of tokens of $1 and $2 denominations.
The tokens were then cut out of the strip in a screw press tooled with a punch
and die. The tokens were given to children "apprentices" who helped
demonstrate the drop hammer at the end of the demonstration. Mating the impressions was difficult using
this technique. The gears have to be "timed" exactly right. Some were
sold at face value. Very rare.” Struck in copper, this one is only AU
and naturally toned brown. MB: $25.00
56. 1793 Liberty Cap Cent reproduction (very scarce in its
own right!) naturally and evenly toned. CS on reverse. MB: $30.00
57. 1793 Liberty Cap Cent obverse paired (muled) with a
GMM Visitors’ Token reverse. Obviously, this too, is a test strike of one of
the dies. Due to the strength of details on the reverse, I tend to believe this
time it was the token die that was a test strike! Naturally toned but still uncirculated. MB: $50.00
58. 1796 With Pole Half cent struck with burnt
dies test struck on a large cent planchet! To make better sense of this piece
as well as to inform you of its TRUE worth (not monetary) the following is
excerpted from an older “Gallery Mint Report. “This is an unusual error
that occurred during the hardening process. The furnace temperature exceeded
the limits of the anti-scale compound that protects against such corrosion. The
compound pooled up in the die, protecting the main device, but burned the
exposed surfaces severely. There is a muddy kind of doubling that is burned
around the letters similar to the kind of erosion that happens on extremely
worn dies. This die was not really intended to be used as a working die. Since
the main device remained intact, this die was able to serve its real purpose as
a master die to create the main device punch. In short, all the working dies
for the 1796 half cent repro were "cloned" from this die.” GMM only offered strikes from this die to interested
error collectors for a very short time and never appeared on their price list.
Nor were most, maybe even all, the others struck on the wrong planchet! Still
uncirculated but developing some corrosion spots, possibly from some of that
burnt anti-scale compound as most of the darkening is appearing in the rough
burnt area. This could mean this was the first piece struck with that burnt
die! (I did say, “could be.”) CS Rev. MB: $75.00
59. Concept Reverse muled with GMM Visitors’ Token Reverse
on copper planchet! MB: $399.00
60. 1796 Gold Half Eagle Reproduction, double struck with
rotation between strikes. A true error and worthy of hefty bidding! CS Rev. MB:
$399.00
61. 1995 Concept. These have become enormously popular
after having been distributed as a bonus piece! Collectors still scramble to
add one of these to their collections! MB: $45.00
62. 1998 Lady Liberty Concept of normal thickness which
makes this a congressional/media piece. Very scarce and highly sought after.
MB: $199.00
63. Trial engraving (original done by Ron Landis) on brass
blank (not planchet) for the reverse eagle of the 1998 and 2000 Concepts. This
piece, like all other Ron Landis original engravings, should bring incredible
interest and prove to be one of the best sellers. MB: $499.00
64. Concept Fallen Die Error. This is a well-known,
unique, genuine (not fantasy) striking error created while striking the Piedfort
Concept medals. Ron has so eloquently described it in the past that we will
again quote him on the cause and affect: "This
is something you won't see everyday. In fact, we're taking measures to make
sure it can't happen again. So far, this is the only error that has occurred
during the run of piedfort prototype dollars. The basic problem is that the
upper die was only held in with a setscrew, which can work loose under the
extreme pressure and vibrations of normal use. As the ram of the press come down
to strike the piece, the upper die fell out of it's adapter, and landed
cockeyed on the planchet, creating this error that we are having a difficult
time trying to categorize. For now we'll call it a 'fallen die' error for lack
of a better term. The damage it caused to the machinery was minimal compared to
what could have happened had the die landed on the collar, for example. The
fact that the planchet is double thick, gave enough cushion that it didn't
seriously damage the dies. It only dented the rim portion of the reverse die
slightly. That was able to be repaired by cutting the rim a bit deeper on the
lathe. Being a thick planchet, it struck much of the design into the planchet
at a strange angle, almost piercing all the way through the planchet. This
error caused considerable damage to the upper die adapter which was able to be
machined back to a useable shape. Of course, we will not re-create this error,
but it may be offered at auction at a future date. Ron Landis... March 1998,
'Gallery Mint Report,' Volume 5, Issue 1," Yeehaw! True to his
word, this is that auction! Ante up folks! MB: $999.00
65. 1995 Concept. These have become enormously popular
after having been distributed as a bonus piece! Collectors still scramble to
add one of these to their collections! MB: $45.00
66. 1995 Concept. Most likely an early trial strike and
struck slightly off center. A true error on the original Concept?!! MB: $60.00
67.
ND (1998)
Intermittent Reeded Edge Test Planchet for Blind: This was the first intended planchet
for the 1998 Congressional/Media Concepts but, was abandoned, mostly for the
reason explained here by Ron Landis, “The partial reed collar that Joe
Rust made for the project was abandoned before completion since Phillip Diehl,
then Director of the Mint, was informed from the American Federation of the
Blind that blind people would prefer a totally smooth edge to distinguish this
coin from a quarter dollar.” Only a handful of these exist and, just so
you will know, these planchets are oversized as well! I expect very healthy
bidding on this truly rare GMM item. MB: $199.00
68.
“Three Mules
for Sister Sarah” or, Three Mules for the Concept Man! This lot should tell us
who the “Real” Con$ept Man is! This lot consists of three 1998
Congressional/Media Concepts, all paired with the wrong reverse, that being the
GMM Visitors’ Token. Better yet, one is a gorgeous brockage! All of these were
produced at the same time while testing the dies for one thing or another
before the very limited production run. MB: $750.00
69. 1999 GMM “Good for $5 in Trade” token off metal. This
one is struck on a copper planchet while the remainder were struck on already
struck nickels. The GMM created these trade tokens with an exceptionally high
relief portrait of the Indian using Jefferson Nickels as the planchet with the
intention of them actually being redeemed! Guess what? Like all other GMM
products, owners did not want to let them go and only one has ever been
redeemed! MB: $25.00
70.
1999 ANA GMM
Convention Medal for the ANA Chicago
Athena struck over a struck Lincoln cent. Available
only at the ANA Convention and only during the dates 8/11/99 through 1/15.99.
All were supposed to be struck on pewter. MB: $25.00
71.
Ring and
resulting planchet punched from “spoiled large cent” for use in making 1796
Half Cent. Only 24 pieces were struck using this method while 31 pieces were
done using “spoiled” 1797 NC-7 reproductions to recreate as original a
reproduction as possible. A few more planchets were produced this way and here
we offer one of the “rings” and the planchet. A most interesting set which
proves the depths GMM goes to make the most accurate recreations imaginable. No
other coin reproduction entity comes close! CS on obverse of ring and reverse
of planchet. MB: $99.00
72.
1796 Double
Denomination! 1796 With Pole Half Cent double struck 70% off center by 1796
Large cent dies! Large cent date shows. CS on rev. MB: $50.00
73.
Another 1796
Double Denomination. Also a 1796 With Pole Half cent struck 60% off center by
1796 Large cent dies! Large cent date shows. CS on rev. MB: 50.00
74.
1796 Large
Cent reproduction struck 50% off center. CS on rev. MB: $25.00
75.
Reproduction
Large cent planchet. Copy stamp on one side so it will not be confused with a
genuine large cent planchet. MB: $18.00
76. Ring and resulting planchet punched from
“spoiled large cent” for use in making 1796 Half Cent. Only 24 pieces were
struck using this method while 31 pieces were done using “spoiled” 1797 NC-7
reproductions to recreate as original a reproduction as possible. A few more
planchets were produced this way and here we offer yet another pair of the
“ring” and the planchet. A most interesting set which proves the depths GMM
goes to make the most accurate recreations imaginable. No other coin
reproduction entity comes close! I avoided the use of the word “company” as GMM
is a museum dedicated to the preservation of numismatic arts and not just “out
to make a buck!“ CS on obverse of ring and reverse of planchet. MB: $99.00
77. "Jefferson Full Step Nickel Club Commissioned
'Felix Schlag's Favorite Reverse Design' Die Trial Struck on Large Cent
Reproduction Planchet!" Here is a very rare opportunity to own one of the
GMM's most exciting die trial strikes. Recently, the Full Step Nickel Collectors'
club commissioned Ron and the GMM to create dies and strike in silver the
Jefferson Nickel designer's (and collectors, too) favorite reverse design of
Monticello. Upon completion of the dies, a test strike was made on a
reproduction large cent planchet. Items like this are the "metal"
that make collecting GMM "Piece de Caprice" items so fun and
exciting. Though there are light fingerprints primarily on the obverse, this is
a one of a kind from the GMM and just the aspect of it becoming available has GMM
and Jefferson nickel collectors abuzz! MB: $499.00
78.
1998 Lady
Liberty Congressional/Media Concept struck on copper (off metal) and paired
with a GMM Visitors’ Token reverse for a trial strike to test the obverse die!
MB: $249.00
79.
1796 with
Pole Half Cent reproduction pair, both with brockaged obverses, 180 degree
rotation between strikes and two full dates! Due to the extra strike to produce
the brockages, the planchets have a larger than normal diameter. This is a
beautiful set! Copy stamp on the good obverse and good reverse so as to not
diminish the effect of the brockages. MB: $50.00
80.
1788 New
Jersey Maris 51.g reproduction. Only 2,000 were minted and they remain a very
popular and hard to acquire item. There are a few toning stains on the reverse;
otherwise it is still a red UNC. CS on reverse. MB: 20.00
81.
1793 Liberty
Cap reproduction with a major die break (cud) above “TY” of Liberty. This is a
true error and I was there when it happened. Much was learned from this cud and
I believe it is the first real cud error ever produced by the GMM. Very few of
these managed to escape. CS on reverse. MB: $35.00
82.
1796 With
Pole Half Cent pair. Both are brockaged and it is likely that at least one of
these reproductions is one of the “spoiled cents” that was punched to make the
half cents as real as possible. A large date from an earlier strike is clearly
visible in the right field on the good obverse. Copy stamps appear on the good
reverse as well as both brockages. This is an exciting lot that should gain
wide spread attention. MB: $75.00
83.
Large cent
planchet. Though there is no copy stamp on the planchet at the time the picture
was taken, there will be one on this piece when you receive it. MB: $15.00 (Ron
or Tim - be sure to copy stamp this item as well as the few others I point
out!)
84.
1793 Wreath
cent reproduction struck slightly off center (remember, there was no collar is
use for these pieces), which is a true error, and struck through a capped die!
It is likely that fewer of these exist than double strikes, brockages, etc.
even though in modern mintage this is a relatively common error type. CS on
reverse. MB: $45.00
85.
1793 Double
Struck Wreath cent reproduction! There is a light fingerprint on the obverse
but these things are scarce as hen’s teeth! CS on reverse. MB: $60.00
86.
1793 Half
Cent reproduction trial strike on a large cent planchet. This is a gorgeous,
full and early strike coin clearly showing all the denticles, etc. due to the
oversize planchet. Could be a die trial strike. CS on reverse. MB: $60.00
87.
1787 New
Jersey Maris 62.5 with correct die crack reproduction. Only 2,222 with a few
different variations were struck and they are highly sought by GMM patrons and
general collectors as well. There was no copy stamp on this piece at the time
of photographing but there will be one on the piece when the successful bidder
receives it; most likely on the reverse. MB: $25.00
88.
AMAZING
MULTIPLE STRUCK, MULTIPLE ERROR 1796 WITH POLE HALF CENT PIECE DE CAPRICE MATED
PAIR! For starters, one
coin in this pair is struck on a lettered edge large cent planchet at least
three times producing a nice multi struck capped die! The other piece appears
to be struck only once, also on a large cent planchet, but exhibits a beautiful
brockage of the multi strike on the other side! At least 5 dates can be seen on
this incredible item! Copy stamps appear on the good obverse and reverse
strikes so as to not detract from the brockage. MB: $175.00
89.
1788 New
Jersey Maris 51.g mated pair reproduction. This pair was created when an off
center planchet was overlapping an already struck 1788 New Jersey reproduction
and struck again. Rotation is minimal but visible on the second strike while
the indent and resulting partial brockage are truly gorgeous! In the real world
mated pairs are rare. They are even more rare from the GMM! This mated pair
should tickle the fancy of many a collector! CS on reverse of fully struck coin.
There was no copy stamp on the second piece but there will be when it is
shipped, likely on the non-brockaged side of the off center. (RON OR TIM -
MAKE SURE THE SECOND PIECE RECEIVES A COPY STAMP!) MB: $45.00
90. 2003 Off Metal (Copper) and Mule Hobo Token! Why Ron
and the GMM made this incredible piece de caprice I do not know. What I do know
is that the dies are of original design with the obverse being a self-portrait
of Ron Landis, created by an overwhelming number of requests for such a design
by Hobo nickel and GMM collectors alike. Still available with the "Hiking
Hobo" reverse design as well as the "Indian Obverse paired with the
Elephant" designs, this is but one of five of these struck. This one
combines the "Self Portrait" obverse with the wrong or
"Elephant" design reverse making it a mule that would fetch a
handsome price in its own right. HOWEVER, this one is struck in copper, which
was not supposed to be, and is an absolute gem in terms of eye appeal! I find
it interesting that unique mules are often referred to as "White
Elephants!" Though not white here, it is an elephant and I find that
ironic. Expect above normal interest in this piece! MB: $75.00
91. 2003 Off Metal (Brass) and Mule Hobo Token! Here's a
second opportunity for this mule pairing but different as it is brass instead
of the former struck in copper. This, too, is a just one of five struck. This
one combines the "Self Portrait" obverse with the wrong or
"Elephant" design reverse making it a mule that would fetch a
handsome price in its own right. HOWEVER, this one is struck in brass and is an
absolute gem in terms of eye appeal! I find it interesting that unique mules
are often referred to as "White Elephants!" Though not white here, it
is an elephant and I find that ironic. Expect above normal interest in this
piece! MB: $75.00
92. Gorgeous double struck 1792 Disme reproduction. First
struck normally, this piece was struck again approximately 60 per cent off
center at K:2:00. Few errors of the disme exist in any collections so this may
be one of few opportunities you will ever get to own one. There is a minor
fingerprint on the reverse; otherwise it is still a nice BU. At the time the
photograph was taken, there was no copy stamp. There will be when the winner
receives it. MB: $50.00
93. 1794 Liberty Cap, Starred reverse cent reproduction
struck on brass. Most likely a trial strike but definitely off metal! CS on
reverse. MB: $60.00
94. 1792 Disme Reproduction planchet with about a 5 per cent
straight incomplete planchet (a.k.a. straight clip). This is a true error I
rescued from going to the “melt” bin while photographing these lots. There was
no copy stamp on it at the time of photographing but there will be when
received by the winner. (RON OR TIM - COPY STAMP THIS THING!) I highly
doubt there are any GENUINE disme planchets in existence and this may well be
the only reproduction one that will “escape” GMM! How bad do you want to own a
true “one of a kind?” MB: $35.00
95. Proof 1796 With Pole Half Cent reproduction with
incomplete planchet (a.k.a. curved clip)! This is one of the few genuine GMM
planchet errors to escape the hostile furnace and it is on a proof to boot!
There is a curved clip at K-9:00. CS on reverse. MB: $60.00
96. 1793 Wreath Cent reproduction with incomplete planchet
and misaligned obverse die. This is a very rare true wreath cent error with a
curved clip at K-10:00. CS on reverse. MB: $60.00
97. 1793 Wreath Cent reproduction with incomplete planchet
and, apparently, double struck! This is an extremely rare true wreath cent
multiple error with a curved clip at K-1:00. Even more incredible is the double
strike with the first strike being off center and the second strike eliminating
most signs of the first strike. However, examine the letters in “LIBERTY” and
look for denticles flattened in the fields to the right of the west side of the
obverse and reverse. Also notice how it is out of round in the area where the
off center metal flow would have protruded its normal circumference. (RON OR
TIM - PLEASE VERIFY DOUBLESTRIKE!) CS on reverse. MB: $75.00
98. 1793 Liberty Cap cent reproduction with rare, true
error. It is true there are a fair number of “created” errors for this
reproduction in collections but real ones are truly rare, no matter how slight.
This one has an incomplete planchet (a. k. a. curved clip) at K-5:30. CS on
reverse. MB: $50.00
99. 1793 Wreath Cent reproduction with incomplete
planchet. This is a very rare true wreath cent error with a curved clip at K-8:30.
This piece has begun to take on a nice, even, light, natural toning. CS on
reverse. MB: $55.00
100.Ring only punched from “spoiled large cent” for use in making 1796
Half Cent. Only 24 pieces were struck using this method while 31 pieces were
done using “spoiled” 1797 NC-7 reproductions to recreate as original a
reproduction as possible. A few more planchets were produced this way but here
we offer only the “ring” and the ring. Most likely the planchet punched from
this “spoiled cent” was one of those struck and issued. A most interesting item
which proves the depths GMM goes to make the most accurate recreations
imaginable. No other coin reproduction entity comes close! I avoided the use of
the word “company” as GMM is a museum dedicated to the preservation of
numismatic arts and not just “out to make a buck!“ At time of photographing,
there was no copy stamp present. There will be when it is shipped. MB: $40.00
101.1799
Draped Bust Large cent reproduction with natural very nice natural toning on obverse.
Not the nearly unbelievable white metal looking toning listed previously,
rather a more commonly encountered piece with colorful yet subdued blues,
violets, reds and velvety browns, primarily on the obverse. CS on reverse. MB:
$18.00
102.
1799 Draped Bust Large cent reproduction with natural toning on obverse.
Similar to the above but less subdued and just as attractive. There is more
blue and violet than the preceding lot. CS on reverse. MB: $18.00
103.
1799 Draped Bust Large cent reproduction with natural toning on obverse.
Similar to the above two but less colorful and more evenly toned while nearly
as attractive. CS on obverse. MB: $18.00
104.
1799 Draped Bust Large cent reproduction with natural toning on obverse and
reverse. This one differs than the preceding lots as it is dominated by more
deep violet and sunset red. Flashy and gorgeous. CS on reverse. MB: $20.00
105.
1799 Draped Bust Large cent reproduction with natural toning on obverse and
reverse. This one differs than the preceding lots as it is dominated by more
deep violet and sunset red, particularly on the reverse. Flashy and gorgeous.
At time of photographing there was no copy stamp. When shipped there will be
one, most likely on the obverse so as to not detract from the stunning toning
on the reverse. MB: $20.00
106.
Reproduction large cent planchet with gorgeous, natural, red and violet toning.
At the time the photograph was shot, there was no copy stamp. There will be
when the winning bidder receives it, most likely on the less toned side. MB:
$15.00
107.
1792 Silver Center cent with phenomenal “archery target” natural toning on
obverse and reverse. When combined with the bands of natural uncirculated
colors from the center out, this piece exhibits a target like toning pattern
that is a true thing of beauty. The center is silver, of course, followed by
gray to gunmetal blue, followed by sunset red and ends with the natural sheen
of freshly minted copper! These bands are quite well pronounced, hence the
target analogy. CS on reverse. MB: $35.00
108.
1792 Silver Center cent with phenomenal “archery target” natural toning on the
reverse and less on the obverse. Similar to the previous lot only the toning is
less pronounced on the obverse while even more clearly defined on the reverse.
CS on reverse. MB: $35.00
109.
1792 Silver Center cent reproduction without the silver center. This is a true
error, apparently never having been “plugged.” I know this is a true error
because I was there when it was pulled from a production run! This is a very
rare opportunity to own one of the extremely rare true errors known for this
reproduction! CS on reverse. MB: $30.00
110.
1796 With Pole Half cent reproduction with near perfect first stage brockage on
reverse! A very sharp example of this highly desirable error type! CS on
obverse. MB: $50.00
111.
1793 Liberty Cap cent reproduction with misaligned obverse and reverse dies.
Most likely a trial strike with this much misalignment of both dies. To
distinguish it from off centers, notice that the off center appearing designs
are in different areas of the obverse and reverse. Beginning to tone evenly and
naturally. CS on obverse. MB: $35.00
112.
1794 Half Cent reproduction with an unusual design on jaw. In all likelihood,
this is the result of applying the copy stamp to the reverse. Technically, this
would be a true error as applying the copy stamp is normally done by hand and
is a part of the total production process at GMM. Interesting. MB: $15.00
113.
1796 Large cent reproduction copy stamp trial/set up piece. Never thought of
that one before, did you? Have hours of fun trying to determine how many times
this early production run reproduction was copy stamped on the reverse! Again,
this is technically a GMM error. MB: $15.00
114.
1792 Silver Center cent reproduction planchet without the silver center, toned,
and with a large lamination on one side. This is a true error, multiple error,
apparently never having been “plugged” as the planchet was pulled when the
lamination was discovered. At time of photographing there was no copy stamp.
There will be one on the side that is not laminated when received by the
winning bidder. MB: $18.00
115.
1792 Silver Center cent reproduction without the silver center. This is a true
error, apparently never having been “plugged.” I know this is a true error
because I was there when it was pulled from a production run! This is a very
rare opportunity to own one of the two rare no silver centers we have available
in this sale for this reproduction! CS on reverse. MB: $30.00
116.
1793 Liberty Cap cent reproduction with misaligned obverse die. Beginning to
tone evenly and naturally. CS on reverse. MB: $25.00
117.
Another 1793 Liberty Cap cent reproduction with misaligned obverse die; this
time in a different direction. Beginning to tone evenly and naturally. CS on
reverse. MB: $25.00
118.
1794 Liberty Cap cent reproduction flip over double strike with brockaged
second strike! This is one of only two flip over double strikes I can recall
seeing from the GMM plus the second strike is brockaged. Notice the flat
appearing “AMERICA” in the field on the obverse. Piece de Caprice? I’d say so!
There are several light fingerprints on this piece but it is still quite attractive.
Two copy stamps on reverse; one brockaged and one normal. MB: $75.00
119.
1792 Silver Center cent with no silver plug and double struck; the first well
centered and the second about 55% off center at 12:00 leaving two fully struck
dates! CS on reverse. MB: $40.00
120.
Nothing fancy, just gorgeous! 1787 off center struck Fugio reproductions. The
Fugio errors are quite rare and this, though a simple error type, is a gorgeous
example. CS on obverse. MB: $35.00
121.
Liberty Cap cent reproduction double struck off center on an elliptical clip!
This is the second flip over double strike I can recall seeing on a GMM product
and one of the very few pieces of a reproduction struck on elliptical scrap!
Yes, the double strike is a flip over! Though not dated, I believe this piece
is a “big head” 1793 variety and would make a good mate to the following lot.
The natural toning to brown is beginning but the piece remains mostly red. At
the time of photographing there was no copy stamp but there will be when shipped
to the winner. (RON OR TIM - COPY STAMP THIS PIECE!) MB: $55.00
122.
Here’s a great companion to the above lot. Why? It too is a Liberty Cap double
struck on an elliptical planchet; this time on what I believe is the “small
head” variety of the 1793! Also, though double struck, I don’t believe this is
a flip over as is the preceding lot. Like the preceding lot, there was no copy
stamp at the time of photographing but there will be one upon delivery. (RON
OR TIM - COPY STAMP THIS PIECE!) MB: $45.00
123.
1796 Large Cent reproduction, double struck with partial brockage. First struck
well centered, this piece was subsequently struck again about 50% off center
through an already struck repro creating a 50% partial brockage on the obverse.
Very few errors are known for the 1796 Large cent repros! CS on obverse. MB:
$40.00
124.
1793 Liberty Cap (Small Head variety I believe) reproduction double brockaged
on reverse! This is a very nice and possibly unique from the GMM error type.
Could have been a trial or setup piece. CS on obverse so as to not detract from
the gorgeous double brockage. MB: $60.00
125. A
second example of the 1793 Liberty Cap reproduction
with a major die break (cud) above “TY” of Liberty. This is a true error.
Though it appears only to be a retained cud, it is not. It is a full-blown cud!
I believe it is the first real cud error ever produced by the GMM. Very few of
these managed to escape. CS on reverse. MB: $35.00
126.
1796 Draped Bust Large cent reproduction. Since so few of the 1796 cent repros
exist with errors, I have included this piece. In terms of modern minting
practices, this would be damage. However, since the application of copy stamps
is a very real, and the final process for GMM reproductions, this is actually
an error! Just as precision punches are required on the dies, so are precision
punches required when applying the copy stamp. Whack the punch too hard and you
have a “spoiled” reproduction which is exactly what this is. Not the most
exciting thing in this auction, it is an example of one of the true errors that
sometimes occurs at the GMM. CS on reverse. MB: $20.00
127.
Here’s a special lot that many of you have been waiting to acquire an example
of! Of course, this one is a little unusual in that it is a wrong metal error,
struck on a brass planchet as opposed to being over struck on an already struck
Lincoln cent. It is the infamous “Doe Brothers Token” (a.k.a. Doe dough) and is
completely original in design from start to finish. For the story on this
piece, read the rest of this description. I shouldn’t tell you this but for the
sake of fairness, I will. There are four of these and the top four bidders will
get one. Each comes in a zip lock baggy with the shown product card attached.
All struck in 1992, this is but the fourth official GMM item ever produced and
it was never intended for release outside of Eureka Springs, AR! “As Joe mentioned to me, he and Ron were really pleased when
they found out that they could turn a roll of fifty pennies into a fifty dollar
bill. This was when they were playing music in bars for tips and the patrons
would happily trade a $1 tip for a Doe Brothers cent. Of course, once the guys
figured out that they could sell 1794/1994 Commemorative Dollar Medals at fifty
dollars a pop they had no time left to worry about turning pennies into
dollars. So, the Doe Dough project got set aside for other pursuits. I found a
Doe Brothers cent after a few months searching….These tokens are struck over
early brilliant uncirculated wheat (not all were wheat cents - Auctioneer)
pennies. Because they are struck with a collar the edges are crisp, heavy and
wonderful! Not in the least like the pennies they were struck from. The trolley
car on the Doe Dough reverse is indicative of the Eureka Springs area since
trolleys are the primary means of providing the tourists with access to the
local attractions. One payment allows a person to ride all day as many times as
they wish. The town was built into a very narrow mountain valley and there is
extremely limited parking available for the flood of people who come to enjoy
the area.” Verne Walrafen MB: $15.00
128.
Now here’s the way they were supposed to be. Another example of the infamous
Doe Brothers token only this time struck on an already struck BU Lincoln cent
as was the norm. Still, these are extremely elusive specimens and near the top
of all GMM collectors’ want lists. Like the above, they come in a zip lock
baggy with the original stock card attached and, I am elated to announce, there
are four of these as well. Again, the top four bidders will receive one. MB:
$10.00
129.
1794 Draped Bust Dollar, No Stars, Pattern on copper reproduction. With a
limited mintage of just 794 pieces, many GMM collectors missed out on this
little known but historical reproduction. Here’s another but possibly last
chance to acquire one. Pretty natural toning is beginning to develop, primarily
on the reverse. CS on reverse. MB: $45.00
130.
Another 1794 Draped Bust Dollar, No Stars, Pattern on copper reproduction. With
a limited mintage of just 794 pieces, many GMM collectors missed out on this
little known but historical reproduction. Here’s another but possibly last
chance to acquire one. Pretty natural toning is beginning to develop, primarily
on the reverse. CS on reverse. MB: $45.00
131.
And yet another 1794 Draped Bust Dollar, No Stars, Pattern on copper
reproduction. With a limited mintage of just 794 pieces, many GMM collectors
missed out on this little known but historical reproduction. Here’s another but
possibly last chance to acquire one. Pretty natural toning is beginning to
develop, primarily on the reverse. CS on reverse. (RON OR TIM, PLEASE VERIFY
THAT THIS AND THE ABOVE TWO ARE WHAT I SAY THEY ARE! WHEN I PHOTOGRAPHED THESE
I DID NOT EVEN KNOW OF THE EXISTANCE OF THE COPPER PATTERN DOLLAR ISSUE! DUH!
WHERE HAVE I BEEN?) MB: $45.00
132.
1994 Gallery Mint Museum Proof Annual Medal. Limited in production to but 500
serial numbered pieces, this large, one and a half ounce .999 fine silver
depicts my favorite of all of Ron’s original designs, the U. S. Mint in
Philadelphia as it appeared in 1792! This design is perhaps Ron’s most
intricately detailed, regular issue design. Though original “subscribers” were
offered the same serial number each year these were produced, some “sets” were
broken up. This one is serial number (RON OR TIM, PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE
SERIAL NUMBER). Your best chance to obtain the three-piece set is to buy
them all at once from a collector, IF you can get a collector to let these
beauties go! The next best way is through diligence, watching online auctions
and hoping to find individual pieces with the same serial number for sale.
Either way, the set is not a necessity as this is an absolutely gorgeous work
of art! MB: $50.00
133.
1992 Renfest King’s Coin Hammer 1.5 ounce silver medal! These were not normally
struck in silver (most are copper) and I believe this is also the last
Renaissance Festival design created just prior to the formation of the Gallery
Mint Museum. The obverse depicts Columbus’s Santa Maria, the reverse
commemorates 500 years since the landing of Columbus on this continent and it
has a lettered edge that attests to it being struck on the now legendary
“King’s Coin Hammer.” This is an exceedingly difficult piece to acquire, is
beautiful in design, has an ounce and a half of .999 fine silver and will
attract heavy bidding, I’m sure. Don’t let this one slip you by as you will
likely never get the chance to obtain another as these were distributed outside
of numismatic circles and are tightly held by owners as mementos of their visit
to the 1992 Texas Renaissance Festival. MB: $125.00
134. 1992 OHNS
Hobo Token, Curly Haired Hobo obverse
with Buffalo reverse commissioned by the Original Hobo Nickel Society but, as
far as I know, struck in 1994 as a second choice of OHNS 1992 commissioned
tokens. Over struck on a Jefferson nickel as were all Hobo tokens prior to the
issue of the silver ones beginning in 2001. All but the recent Hobo Tokens are
getting extremely difficult to find with few opportunities arising to acquire
one. Here’s your chance to get the very scarce second design of this series.
MB: $15.00
135. 1992 OHNS
Hobo Token, Bearded Hobo obverse with Hop
On reverse commissioned by the Original Hobo Nickel Society. Created in 1992,
the first year of GMM this is the first (and most likely scarcest) of the
annual Hobo Tokens. This one was not struck with as much pressure as most so
much of the details on this 1984 Jefferson nickel remain, including all of
“Monticello” on the reverse. Technically, weak strikes can be classified as
errors so maybe you can get away with calling this one of the first true errors
of the GMM! Regardless, bidding should be heavy for this rare, first in the
series Hobo Token. MB: $20.00
136. 1995 Britt,
Iowa Proof National Hobo Convention Token
struck on a looped (so it can be worn as jewelry) silver planchet! Now the
normal counterparts of this historically significant token were struck on
already struck Jefferson nickels but on a recent trip to Britt, Iowa and the
National Hobo Museum, site of the 1995 convention, Verne Walrafen managed to
buy a looped, brass specimen literally from around the museum guide’s neck!
Distributed almost exclusively in Britt, the normal version of these tokens is
virtually impossible to locate. While Ron remembered making a few of the brass
off metal looped versions, he did not remember this SILVER one! Is it the only
one? Most likely! Do you want it? Most likely! I know I do (but I can’t bid).
Expect very active bidding on this possibly unique memorial tribute to the Hobo
life. MB: $65.00
137.
AMAZING, POSSIBLY UNIQUE, 1793 LARGE CENT, TRIPLE STRUCK REPRODUCTION PIECE DE
CAPRICE! Notice I did not specify which variety of 1793 it is. For good reason
as it was first struck normally as an UNC Chain Cent repro, then struck off
center by Wreath Cent repro dies and finally struck even further off center by
Liberty Cap repro dies! Do you want all three basic 1793 Large cent
reproductions but you want them all on one piece? Here it is! Come and get it!
All three strikes clearly show the date. To me, this is one of the more
thoughtful Piece De Caprice’s the GMM ever created and I think I would rather
own this than anything else in the auction! CS on reverse. MB: $145.00
138.
2000 Dated Peace Token on
brass actually struck in 1994! Exceedingly rare and unless you were one of the
fortunate few who was given one by Ron Landis or Ken Bressett, you will likely
never own one. If you collect GMM concepts, your collection is not complete
without one of these! Sorry to those who thought their Concept or “Peace
Through Coinage” sets were complete! Here is how Ken Bressett tells it: “The
first version of the ‘Peace Token’ was made by Ron Landis around June 1994 and
were struck in brass. They were made rather quickly and the die work is sort of
unfinished. Some were made round, and others were made with a loop and ring.
The majority were round. Ron sent me 50 of those, and 25 of the ones with a
ring. He told me that he had given out many to his friends. I would guess he
must have sent me about half of what he made.” Translated, that means
approximately 150 of these were minted and THEY ARE THE FIRST PRODUCTION of
what became an international phenomenon - The Peace Through Coinage Program!
MB: $75.00
139.
1995 Brass “Elect J. T. Stanton” Token commissioned for use in his successful
bid for election to the American Numismatic Association Board of Governors.
With a mintage of 1,000, these were instrumental in J. T.’s election but they
are very scarce making them difficult to obtain. MB: $10.00
140. 1995 Britt, Iowa National Hobo Convention Token
struck on a looped (so it can be worn as jewelry) brass planchet! The normal
counterparts of this historically significant token were struck on already
struck Jefferson nickels. See the above lot for more on this fascinating
piece. Distributed almost exclusively
in Britt, the normal version of these tokens is virtually impossible to locate.
Ron only remembers making a few of the brass off metal looped versions. MB:
$40.00
141.
2000 Lady Liberty Concept PATTERN, normal thickness (not Piedfort): one of the Gallery Mint Museum's patterns for a new
small-sized dollar coin. Made of brass and BU in grade, these are among the
GMM’s most hallowed of creations and have sold for over $500! MB: $199.00
142.
2000 Modern Portrait of Lady Liberty Concept PATTERN: one
of the Gallery Mint Museum's patterns for a new small-sized dollar coin. Made
of brass and BU in grade, these are among the GMM’s most hallowed of creations
and the other varieties have sold for over $500! If I am not mistaken, this is
the most rare design of them all and all of them are rare! MB: $245.00
143.
2000 “Media” Concept. 13-ray obverse. Struck on a normal thickness planchet,
not the heavy Piedfort that was readily available to the public. Approximately
110 of these were struck for key members of the media. No collection of
“Concepts” is complete without this one which fewer people seem to know about.
MB: $199.00
144. U. S. Army 257th Medical Company, Medal for the 55th Medical Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This
is a very desirable piece and recipients, though not numismatists, pretty much
refuse to give them up. Here is a little known press release detailing the
history of this piece, the dies of which were commissioned for engraving by Ron
Landis. As far as I know, none of them were struck at GMM and the dies belong
to the ex-commanding officer of the 55th Medical Group. “Soldiers
Online News Briefs - October 1998, Fort Bragg, NC
- Soldiers with the 257th Medical Company, 55th Med. Group, 44th Med. Brigade,
are using a 2,000-year-old technique to create coins the old-fashioned way. Lt.
Col. Terry Murphy, former commander of the 257th Med. Co., and about 25 of his
soldiers began the task of making coins by hand for the 55th Med. Grp. about a
year and a half ago. ‘The first coin was struck in May of 1997 and presented to
the group commander at the time,’ Murphy said.
Each coin is made from raw casting grain silver (about 16 grams of pure silver)
Murphy said. ‘The silver is melted into a 'button,' cleaned in a mild acid
solution and then hammered into a round blank called a planchet,’ he said. It
takes more than 100 hammer strikes to form each planchet. Then the planchet is
heated to about 1,700 degrees and quickly placed between two coin dies. The top
die is struck with a sledgehammer to transfer the images on the dies to both sides
of the hot, silver planchet. ‘We've spent 1,000 hours of off-duty time making
350 coins,’ said Murphy.
The front of the coin shows the Greek god of medicine, Asklepios, holding a
medicine bowl in one hand and a staff and serpents, a universal medical symbol,
in the other. Asklepios' name and ‘By permission of the 44th’ circle
the image. The back of the coin is struck with the Arabic number 55,
representing the 55th Med. Grp., surrounded by a wreath and ‘Novus Medicus,’
meaning new medic. The Roman numeral CCLVII beneath the wreath represents the
257th Med. Co., the unit that made the coins.
Profits made from selling the coins were donated to the unit's morale and
welfare fund. The coin is on display in eight museums, including the
Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.” Compiled by SFC John Brenci, Fort
Bragg Public Affairs Officer. There you have it; a rare, little known .6 ounce
but 3 mm thick silver, ancient type original by Ron Landis. For those who know
of this piece, it is very highly sought after! The soldiers, though
non-numismatists, just don’t want to part with them! This is a very rare
opportunity to obtain one. To make it even more interesting and to give it some
history, many of the soldiers who have one are amongst the thousands deployed
to care for the sick and wounded in both Afghanistan and Iraq. I venture to say
there is more than the cost involved in labor on each of these! MB: $55.00
145. 1793 Half cent reproduction struck about
40% off center. Most of the errors and Piece de Caprice’s dated 1793 were done
with large cent dies. This is the rare opportunity to own one on a Half cent
reproduction! CS on reverse. MB: $35.00
146. 1793 Proof Chain cent reproduction!
Though one of GMM’s first reproductions, the Chain cent, especially the proof,
remains one of their most popular and highly sought after items. Limited in
production to only 500 pieces, one of the few ever available on the after
market sold for $440.00 in 1999! Others have approached that figure and they
are even more difficult to locate today. This particular example is beginning
to tone evenly and naturally though it is still mostly red. CS on reverse. MB:
$135.00
147. 1787 Proof Fugio cent reproduction. In
proof, this is among the favorites of GMM collectors, mine included. It is just
an awesome design embellished with history and looks oh so good in proof!
Limited to just 500 pieces, this may be you last opportunity to obtain one
directly from GMM if ever at all! Some nice, even original toning is beginning
to develop. CS on reverse. MB: $45.00
148. Four piece set of uncirculated 1793
copper reproductions with the copy stamp on the obverse. It would be a
difficult task to collect these four individually today so here’s an
opportunity to get them all at once and be sure you won’t have difficulty
completing the set. These and the next two lots come directly from the GMM
Archive Collection so you can be assured they are nice, crisp, early strikes.
MB: $175.00
149. Four piece set of uncirculated 1793
copper reproductions with the copy stamp on the reverse. It would be a
difficult task to collect these four individually today so here’s another
opportunity to get them all at once and be sure you won’t have difficulty
completing the set. Like the preceding lot, these come directly from the GMM
Archive Collection. MB: $175.00
150. How about an eight-piece set of
uncirculated 1793 copper reproductions? Many folks collect GMM reproductions in
pairs with one being copy stamped on the obverse and one on the reverse. Makes
sense to me as it allows for unobstructed viewing of all the design details
which, and it goes without saying, are the finest and most accurate hand
engraved die reproductions of these fabulous, historical coins EVER! Included in
this lot is two of each; Chain cent, Wreath cent, Liberty Cap cent and Half
cent; of which half are copy stamped on the obverse and the other half are copy
stamped on the reverse. As popular as these “normal” reproductions are, you can
still expect this to be one of the most highly contested lots. MB: $345.00