The John Adams Presidential dollar coin, part of the popular series honoring US presidents, is known not only for its historical significance but also for a fascinating array of mint errors. Just like its predecessor, the Washington dollar coin, the John Adams dollar has revealed numerous examples of edge lettering mishaps, alongside other types of errors that can significantly increase a coin’s value to collectors. This guide will explore the common errors found on John Adams Dollar Coins, helping you identify these potentially valuable pieces.
Edge Lettering Errors: Doubled, Inverted, and Missing
One of the most prominent categories of errors on John Adams dollar coins involves the edge lettering. These coins were designed with edge inscriptions featuring “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” the mint mark, and the year of issue. However, the process of applying this edge lettering sometimes went awry, resulting in several types of doubled edge lettering errors.
Doubled Edge Lettering: Overlapped and Inverted
Doubled edge lettering occurs when a coin passes through the edge lettering machine twice. This can manifest in two primary forms: overlapped and inverted lettering.
Overlapped Lettering: In this variation, the second set of edge letters is stamped directly over the first set, causing an overlap. The degree of overlap can vary, making each coin with this error unique. Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) certification labels describe this as DBL.EDG.LET. – OVERLAPPED.
Inverted Lettering: Inverted doubled edge lettering is more dramatic. Here, the second pass through the machine results in the edge lettering being inverted relative to the first set. One set of lettering will appear right-side up when the coin’s obverse is facing up, while the other will be upside down. NGC labels this error as DBL.EDG.LET. – INVERTED.
The random orientation of coins as they are fed into the edge lettering machine explains why these doubled errors occur in both overlapped and inverted forms. The positioning of the doubled lettering is essentially random, adding to the uniqueness of each error coin.
Missing Edge Lettering: A Blank Edge
Another notable edge lettering error is MISSING EDGE LETTERING. This error happens when a coin completely bypasses the edge lettering process. As a result, the edge of the coin is blank, lacking any inscriptions. This error is also certified by NGC as MISSING EDGE LETTERING.
Die Errors: Struck Thru and Rotated Dies
Beyond edge lettering errors, John Adams dollar coins also exhibit die errors, which are common across many modern coin types. These include struck thru errors and rotated die errors.
Struck Thru Errors: Obverse Obstructions
Struck thru errors occur when foreign material, such as grease, dirt, or metal debris, adheres to the die during the minting process. This obstruction prevents the die from fully impressing its design onto the coin. The affected area will show a lack of detail. These errors are often labeled as OBV STRUCK THRU.
Rotated Die Errors: Misaligned Faces
Rotated die errors arise when one of the dies rotates during the striking process or is improperly inserted into the coin press. While minor rotations are within mint tolerance, significant rotations are considered errors. John Adams dollars have been found with varying degrees of rotation, sometimes even resulting in a medallic alignment (180-degree rotation) instead of the correct coin alignment. NGC designates rotated die errors when the rotation is 15 degrees or greater.
The Enigmatic Matte Edge Error
A more unusual and less understood error found on some John Adams dollar coins is the matte edge error. In these instances, the edge of the coin appears frosted or matte-like, seemingly due to an unintended laser etching of the edge lettering die. Under magnification, fine lines consistent with laser etching can be observed. While not officially recognized by NGC at the time of the original article, this matte edge variation is a noteworthy anomaly.
Conclusion: Value in John Adams Dollar Coin Errors
John Adams dollar coins offer a fascinating glimpse into the minting process and its potential for errors. From doubled edge lettering to rotated dies and the mysterious matte edge, these errors can make your John Adams dollar coins more than just pocket change. For collectors, these mint mistakes represent unique and potentially valuable additions to their collections.
Interested in the value of your John Adams dollar coin? Consult the NGC Price Guide for updated pricing information.
Further Reading: Learn more about dollar coin errors by exploring this article on $1 Error Coins.
