1859 
Dual Obverse 
Mule Cent

Mint errors have always been an interesting aspect of the rare coin market. To some dealers these minting mistakes are only a fringe area that is intriguing but of no integral importance. To others, Mint errors are nearly the ultimate in numismatics. In recent months the intense publicity regarding the Sacagawea mules has pushed Mint errors to the    forefront, and that has sparked interest in spectacular errors of other eras as well.

Two sensational Mint errors from the mid-19th century have recently been graded and authenticated by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). One is the only two-headed Mint error known to exist, while the other is the finest known Capped Die of its date and type.

An 1859 Indian cent with a dual obverse mule strike was certified as MS62 after submission to PCGS at the October Long Beach show. The pedigree of the coin can be traced to the 1930s, but it disappeared from the market for over 60 years before resurfacing at a Chicago coin show in June 2000.

The 1859 dual obverse mule is considered to be a Mint error rather than a pattern. Noted Indian cent expert Rick Snow has traced both obverse dies used to make the coin to other business strike coins.

"As far as I know this is the only two-headed coin to ever come out of the United States Mint with the exception of the pattern issues," said Fred Weinberg, who does authentication and descriptions on Mint errors for PCGS. "In addition, it is the earliest date mule coin known to exist."

Mint errors of this magnitude rarely appear on the market. "These coins go into major collections and stay there," Weinberg continued. "When I purchased the Bolt collection in 1974 there were dozens of major show-stopping Mint errors in that holding. In the past 25+ years only two or three pieces have reappeared on the market. These coins go into strong hands and remain with dedicated collectors for decades at a time."

The 1859 Dual Obverse cent was purchased by Laura Sperber of Legend Numismatics in Lincroft, New Jersey. "The second I saw that coin I knew I had to have it," said Sperber. "We bought the coin for the company without having a customer for it. We were just going to keep it for ourselves. Then, a major client heard about the coin and wanted it for his collection, so of course we sold it to him. Even when I bought and sold an 1885 Trade dollar it wasn't any more exciting than that 1859 cent."