The John Adams $1 coin, part of the Presidential Dollar series launched in 2007 by the United States Mint, has become a notable issue for error coin enthusiasts. Similar to its predecessor, the Washington $1 coin, the Adams dollar is known for a variety of intriguing edge lettering errors, alongside other types of minting mistakes. This guide delves into the fascinating world of John Adams $1 coin errors, helping collectors understand and identify these valuable anomalies.
Doubled Edge Lettering: Overlapped and Inverted
One of the most prominent error types found on John Adams dollar coins is doubled edge lettering. This occurs when a coin mistakenly passes through the edge lettering machine twice during the minting process. NGC, a leading coin grading service, recognizes two primary variations of this error:
Overlapped Lettering
Overlapped lettering describes doubled edge errors where the second set of letters partially or entirely overlaps the first. The degree of overlap can vary significantly. On NGC certification labels, this error is denoted as DBL.EDG.LET. – OVERLAPPED.
Inverted Lettering
Inverted lettering, another form of doubled edge lettering, presents with the second set of letters inverted relative to the first. This means the two sets of edge lettering are oriented in opposite directions. When the coin’s obverse is facing upwards, one set of lettering will be right-side up, while the other will be upside down. NGC labels this as DBL.EDG.LET. – INVERTED.
The random orientation of coins fed into the edge lettering machine explains the diverse positioning and orientation of doubled edge lettering errors found on these coins.
Missing Edge Lettering: A Striking Omission
Another significant error observed in John Adams $1 coins is the complete absence of edge lettering. This “MISSING EDGE LETTERING” error, as certified by NGC, occurs when a coin bypasses the edge lettering process altogether, resulting in a blank edge.
Die Errors: Struck Thru and Rotated Dies
Beyond edge lettering errors, John Adams dollars also exhibit die-related errors common to modern coinage.
Struck Thru Errors
“Struck thru” errors happen when foreign material, such as grease, dirt, or debris, adheres to the die during the minting process. This obstruction prevents the die from fully impressing its design onto the coin, leading to areas with missing details. NGC designates these errors as OBV STRUCK THRU.
Rotated Die Errors
Rotated die errors occur when one or both dies rotate within the coining press during striking or are improperly installed. While minor rotations are within mint tolerances, significant rotations are considered errors. John Adams dollars have been found with varying degrees of rotation. Notably, some exhibit “medallic alignment,” a 180-degree die rotation, instead of the standard “coin alignment.” NGC recognizes rotated die errors when the rotation is 15 degrees or greater.
The Enigmatic Matte Edge
A unique and still investigated error type is the “matte edge” John Adams dollar. These coins display an edge that appears frosted or less shiny than normal. Microscopic examination reveals fine lines suggestive of laser etching on the edge. While not officially recognized by NGC at the time of the original article, this matte edge variation remains an intriguing anomaly for collectors.
Conclusion
John Adams $1 coins offer a rich field for error coin collecting, primarily due to their diverse edge lettering errors, die errors, and the intriguing matte edge phenomenon. For those interested in the value of these coins, the NGC Price Guide provides updated pricing information. Further exploration into dollar coin errors can be found in this article about $1 Error Coins.
