NEW DOLLARS KEEP

COLLECTORS ON THE EDGE

By Richard Giedroyc

            The newly released 2007 George Washington and John Adams dollar coins are keeping collectors on the edge, since there are error coins of each to collect, the errors appearing on the edge rather than on the obverse or the reverse.

            Normally collectors pay attention primarily to the so-called “heads” (obverse) and “tails” (reverse) of coins, but yes, coins do have a third side as well—this being the often ignored edge.

            So far, with only the first two coins in the massive Presidential Dollar series released, “godless” coins on which the legend “In God We Trust” is missing from the edge have appeared on both Washington and Adams coinage, with doubled legends as well appearing on some Adams dollars. The question has to be raised at some point if the entire series will be able to be coāllected with error edges. The US Mint claims it can avoid such production mistakes in the future, but collectors aren’t so sure that statement will prove to be true.

            The last time US coinage was struck lacking “In God We Trust” on it was 100 years ago. The initial Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle gold coins of 2007 were struck without the legend on the reverse—on purpose. There was such a public outcry that the legend was added to the coins midway through 1908, creating two major varieties to collect in the process.

            Since the legend was part of the design of the Double Eagle coins it was easy to ensure it appeared on all subsequent issues. The lettered edge on which the legend appears on the current Presidential Dollars is added in a separate minting process from that which applies the obverse and reverse designs to the coinage blanks.

Can the mint avoid further errors? Collectors will be quick to let the mint know if it doesn’t.