Not all doubled dies are found in circulation. They can turn up at any time, in any
place. Just ask the sister of New York coin dealer Paul Bosco. A number of years ago,
Bosco's sister purchased a box of antique stationery. Also included in the box were some
old coins. She set the coins and stationery aside for several years. At the time, she had
no idea that one of the coins she had purchased was quite rare and valuable.
Early in 1996, the woman visited her brother and while in church, mentioned she had
some coins to show him. After the church service was over, Bosco examined the coins. Among
the coins were a group of Liberty Head 5-cent coins, some 1920 Winged Liberty Head dimes,
and several Indian Head 5-cent coins, two dated 1914 and three dated 1916. However, the
three 1916 Indian Head 5-cent coins weren't alike. One was a bit different. A lot
different, in fact.
One of the 1916 coins was - you guessed it - a doubled die. The Indian Head, Doubled
Die 5-cent coin is a really good example of this form of die variety. The doubling appears
on the date, which is strongly doubled, as well as on the
throat and chin of the Indian, on the feathers of his headdress, and on the tie on the
Indian's braids. The doubled date is especially spectacular.
The coin grades Extremely Fine (Bosco had the coin graded and authenticated like the
Oregon woman who found the 1969-S cent). Bosco sold the coin in a June 1996 auction, where
it brought $11,250.
His sister's price for the box of stationery, including the bag of coins? Just 50
cents!
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