Two double-reverse bronze 1980 Canadian cents, one of them struck from a rotated die, have been authenticated, certified and graded Mint State 64 red by Professional Coin Grading Service.
California dealer Michael S. Byers acquired the two coins along with several off-metal and other major error Canadian coins earlier this year from a Canadian coin dealer who handled a major Canadian collection of errors.
The two coins are the latest discoveries in a series of once unprecedented errors. Previous finds of mismatched dies include a 25-cent coin mule bearing a commemorative obverse and noncommemorative reverse with different dates, another 25-cent mule bearing a medal design mismatched with a coin design, and two different 25-cent mules featuring commemorative reverses used with noncommemorative obverses, neither carrying any indication of denomination.
The two double-reverse cents were struck with the same pair of reverse dies, according to PCGS President Rick Montgomery.
For reference purposes, the front of the holder shows Side "A" and the back of the holder shows side "B."
According to Montgomery, Side A on both coins appear to have been struck with a fresh die because of the sharp, detailed strike and high, wire rim, while Side B is rougher in appearance, having been struck with a worn die.
One of the specimens is with normal die rotation, while the other piece has the two sides nearly 100 degrees out of rotation from each other. The second piece also has Side A having been misaligned when struck.
Unlike United States coins, which are struck in what is referred to as "coin turn," Canadian coins and most world coins are struck in "medal turn." The top of the obverse of a U.S. coin is aligned with the bottom of the reverse. With "medal turn" coins, the top of the obverse is aligned with the top of the reverse.
|
Click on image to enlarge
|
|
Photos courtesy of Michael S. Byers
THE PORTRAIT of Queen Elizabeth II as it appears on the obverse of 1980 Canadian cents was reduced in 1979 to make the size of the portrait proportional to the diameter of the coin.
|
Montgomery said the diameter of both coins was 19 millimeters and the weight 2.8 grams, the intended size and diameter for the 1980 production year. The composition for the 1980 cent is 98 percent copper, 1.5 percent zinc and 0.5 percent tin.
Canadian cents struck in 1980 and 1981 were of reduced weight compared to earlier cents. The weight was further reduced in 1982.
According to The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins: "In 1978, the Mint [Royal Canadian Mint] struck pattern pieces, dated 1979, with a considerably reduced weight and a diameter of 16 mm. The mint was prompted by the rising price of copper, which resulted in the 1-cent piece being coined at a loss. Unfortunately, the diameter of the pattern was the same as that for the tokens used by the Toronto Transit Commission and this was enough to result in the cancellation of plans for the new 16mm cent. The mint struck cents of the old size and design during 1979. However, in 1980, it introduced a coin of the same design as before, but with a decreased diameter and thickness (hence a decreased weight)."
Also, in 1979, as part of the general standardization of Canadian coins, the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse was reduced proportional to the diameter of the coin. The portrait was the work of RCM engraver Arnold Machin. The maple leaf reverse is the work of engraver G.E. Kruger-Gray.
The pre-1980 weight for the Canadian cent was 3.24 grams. The coin had a diameter of 19.05 millimeters and a plain edge. The pre-1980 cent composition was also 98 percent copper, 1.5 percent zinc and 0.5 percent tin.
After the two double reverse 1980 cents were certified and encapsulated, the specimen with normal die alignment was acquired by Fred Weinberg, another California dealer specializing in major errors.
Byers is offering the rotated die specimen with an asking price of $30,000.
