1995 Lincoln Cent
Over Struck On A 1991-P Roosevelt Dime
Double Denomination (4 Years Apart)

NGC MS 66
1 of 2 Known
SOLD

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This is a spectacular double denomination. It is a 1995 Lincoln Cent struck on a struck 1991 Roosevelt Dime. It is 1 of 2 known double denomination Cent on Dimes struck 4 years apart.

The Lincoln portrait is almost entirely visible over the Roosevelt Dime reverse design making this one of the most visually dramatic and eye appealing double denominations known. The Roosevelt portrait is still almost entirely visible underneath the memorial design of the Cent. Both dates are clearly visible as well. It is in gem mint state condition, well struck and is one of the most fascinating United States mint errors known.

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Here is the 1995 date from the Lincoln Cent design:

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Here is the 1991 date from the Roosevelt Dime design:

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Here are two other well-known double denomination mint errors that were struck many years apart:

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Intentional Errors

One of the most controversial categories of U.S. coins are mint errors. Many dealers and collectors, as well as coin auction houses, buy, sell, trade and auction many rare, exotic and unique major mint errors. Obviously, some of these defy logic and were intentionally created and taken out of the Mint.

In the early 2000's, a group of several hundred U.S. error coins were found in a safe-deposit box. Fred Weinberg purchased this group which included coins struck for proof sets and also coins struck for circulation. This group was auctioned by the California State Controller's Office of Unclaimed Property. The U.S. Secret Service inspected and released this collection to the State of California determining that it was legal to own. The State of California then auctioned the collection and the rest is history.

Another example of U.S. error coins escaping the Mint occurred in the 1970's. A hoard of proof error coins were smuggled out of the San Francisco Mint inside the oil pans of forklifts that were being serviced outside of the Mint. This topic was discussed in the June 6, 2022 Issue of Coin World, which covered Fred Weinberg's account of this story. The Coin World Managing Editor concluded:
Obviously, the marketplace accepts these coins, and some collectors are happy paying thousands of dollars for coins that show every indication of having been created through illegal means.

In Episode 11 of the PCGS video series Slab Lab, Seth Chandler interviews Fred Weinberg. In part 2 of the interview, Fred explains in detail why mint errors that are decades old are not recovered by the U.S. Mint. Fred's recollection of conversations in his office with the Chief of the U.S. Mint Police are extremely insightful and explain why the Mint doesn't attempt to recover error coins from decades ago.



In my NLG Award winning book, World's Greatest Mint Errors,
I dedicated an entire chapter to double denominations:

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