1974-S Aluminum Lincoln Cent Struck by Obv Die on Philippine 1S Plan PCGS UNIQUE

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Mike Byers is a World Renowned Expert on U.S. & World Major Mint Errors and an Award Winning Author
He literally "wrote the book"
World's Greatest Mint Errors
, which received the Numismatic Literary Guild's award for Best World Book. He is the publisher & editor of Mint Error News Magazine & Website which is widely regarded as the most informative and comprehensive resource for Major Mint Errors. He was an ANACS consultant for Major Mint Errors and has written articles for the Coin Dealer Newsletter. Mike Byers and his discoveries have been featured on the front page of Coin World numerous times. Mike Byers Inc carries a multi-million dollar world class inventory of major mint errors, die trials and numismatic rarities. His extensive personal collection of major mint errors is being authenticated and certified by NGC and designated on the insert as THE BYERS COLLECTION.
1974-S Aluminum Lincoln Cent
Struck by the Obverse Die Only
On Philippine 1 Sentimo Planchet
PCGS MS 61
UNIQUE
The Only 1974-S Aluminum Cent
that can be Privately Owned!!
The 1974 Aluminum Cent is world famous. Proposed in 1973 and struck in 1974, it was never released into circulation. The U.S. Mint distributed several to members of Congress, but they were recalled by the U.S. Mint Director, Mary Brooks, and destroyed. One example struck by the
Philadelphia Mint
was donated to the Smithsonian Institution. Another was certified in 2005 by PCGS as MS 62.
According to the Chief of the Mint's internal audit staff, Willian Humbert, between October 17, 1973 and March 29, 1974 there were 1,441,039 aluminum cents dated 1974 struck at the Philadelphia Mint. Another 130,128 were struck between April 12, 1974 and May 30, 1974. Fred Weinberg, PCGS authenticator for Mint Errors, estimates that the number ranges from (5) to as many as (14) 1974-P aluminum cents that are not accounted for. The U.S. Government closed it's investigation of any missing 1974 aluminum cents in February 1976.
In 2014, a 1974
Denver Mint
aluminum cent surfaced from Randall Lawrence, who stated that his father had worked at the U.S. Mint in Denver and had received it as a retirement gift. It was certified MS 63 by PCGS and was subsequently surrendered to the U.S. Government since it was not authorized for release.
This spectacular and unique 1974
San Francisco Mint
aluminum cent was only struck by the obverse die (uniface). The planchet was intended for a Philippine 1 Sentimo, which were struck by the San Francisco Mint in 1974. There are no authorized U.S. coins that were struck in aluminum for circulation. In 1974, Lincoln Cents were composed of 95% copper and 5% zinc. Since 1982, they are composed of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper.
For comparison purposes, a 1971 San Francisco Mint aluminum cent was struck on a planchet intended for Nepal or the Philippines and was certified by NGC as AU 58. It sold in the March 2005 Heritage Signature Sale #368 for ,050 (lot #7604). On February 5, 2016 the new owner rejected an offer of ,000 on the Heritage auction website. As spectacular as the 1971 San Francisco aluminum cent is, it does not begin to compare to this 1974 San Francisco aluminum cent which was struck
during the same year
that the Philadelphia and Denver Mints struck experimental aluminum cents that were not released.
As incredible as it seems, there is a unique 1977 Aluminum Cent that was discovered and certified by NGC. It was struck on an aluminum planchet with a weight of 1.04 grams. There are several possibilities as to how this unique Lincoln Cent was produced. It could have been an intentionally made mint error. It could have been struck on a leftover aluminum blank from 1974-75 when the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia struck Aluminum Cents. Or it could be a unique and unrecorded pattern struck in aluminum. Regardless of the circumstances, it is a unique and enigmatic Lincoln Cent.
Although this 1974-S Aluminum Cent is designated as a mint error by PCGS, there is no way to determine if this was intentionally created or is a mint error due to malfunctions that occurred during the minting process in San Francisco. There are two possibilities. Either scenario starts with a planchet intended for a Philippine 1 Sentimo struck from 1967 through 1974. The composition is 95% aluminum and 5% magnesium. It weighs .5 grams, has a diameter of 15.25 mm and a thickness of 1.37 mm.
If this mint error was intentionally struck at the San Francisco Mint to create a 1974 aluminum Lincoln cent during the same time period that the Philadelphia and Denver Mints were striking experimental 1974 aluminum cents, several steps would have been necessary. Since there weren't any aluminum planchets produced in San Francisco to test strike the 1974 cents, a Mint employee took an aluminum planchet intended for the Philippine 1 Sentimo, placed it on top of a U.S. copper-zinc cent planchet in the collar so that only the obverse die struck the aluminum planchet. Finally this unique mint error had assistance leaving the San Francisco Mint.
This scenario is entirely plausible since in the 1970's, the San Francisco Mint was well known to have intentionally created spectacular proof errors and a few mint state errors as well. These errors were auctioned off by the State of California after they were discovered in a bank safe deposit box. The U.S. Secret Service inspected and released the collection, determining that it was legal to own. The State of California then auctioned off the collection and it has been dispersed since the sale.
In the collection were incredible proof errors that were double denominations, mated pairs, dramatic and spectacular unique mint errors including the famous 1970-S Quarter struck on a Barber Quarter certified by NGC as PR 65. Also in this collection was the now world famous 1970-S Quarter struck on a 1941 Canadian Quarter which went viral worldwide on the internet, TV, print and in magazines. In addition, there were several unique and exotic mint state errors in the collection that were unknown types of errors including a unique mint state Roosevelt Dime struck with two reverse dies, which was subsequently certified by PCGS. Creating a 1974 San Francisco aluminum cent was not out of the realm of possibilities given the fact that unique mint errors were being intentionally struck in the San Francisco Mint and had assistance leaving the Mint as well.
The other possibility is that this aluminum cent was a mint error caused by malfunctions that occurred during the minting process striking 1974 copper Lincoln Cents at the San Francisco Mint. A leftover aluminum planchet intended to produce the 1974 Philippine 1 Sentimo was somehow mixed in the bin of blanks or somewhere else along the path from producing blanks to striking Lincoln Cents. So far, this scenario is possible since many off-metal errors are known. But
very few
U.S. coins are known struck on aluminum planchets from foreign countries. In addition, the aluminum planchet had to be in the collar at the
exact time
that a cent planchet was also in the collar, which is a rare occurrence. This would have created this unique mint error struck only by the obverse die and the reverse would be uniface since it was on top of a cent planchet. Additionally it would have to escape the quality control procedures implemented by the San Francisco Mint.
Furthermore, an interesting event transpired with the mint state 1974-S cents. They were being hoarded and speculated on, with bags selling for 5. To prevent the hoarding, the U.S. Mint Director Mary Brooks ordered that the cents from the San Francisco Assay Office be mixed with those of the other Mints in unlabeled bags before being shipped to the Federal Reserve Banks. It is common to find 1974-S rolls of cents that are mixed with other mint marks. This was yet another process that this mint error had to survive. And last but not least, it is coincidentally and magically also dated 1974, the same date as the 1974 aluminum cents struck in Philadelphia and Denver.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the intentional or non-intentional striking of this unique aluminum cent, it carries the mystique and excitement that surrounds the world famous 1974 aluminum cents. Certified by PCGS as MS 61, this 1974-S aluminum Lincoln Cent belongs in a world class collection of Lincoln Cents or in a collection of unique rarities, discovery coins, patterns and mint errors.
Featured on the cover of
Mint Error News Magazine Issue 55:
The Mint Error News website homepage has an article "Foreigners In The Mint" that features a 69 page report of coins struck by the U.S. Mint for foreign countries. It is the most comprehensive report available anywhere.
Wrong Planchet and Off-Metal Errors
are featured in Chapter 29 of my
NLG award winning book,
World's Greatest Mint Errors
:
Buying and Selling Rare Coins
Certified by PCGS & NGC
Rare U.S. Gold Coins
U.S. Patterns & Die Trials
U.S. & World Major Mint Errors
MIKE BYERS
Dealing in Rare Coins & Fine Art for 40 Years
Mike Byers has been a professional numismatist for forty years. He is one of the largest dealers handling U.S. Gold Coins, Patterns and Rarities certified by PCGS and NGC. He has handled major coin collections and attends every major coin convention. Mike Byers carries an extensive inventory as well as solicits want lists and is always looking to purchase fresh inventory and collections.
Mike Byers was a consultant to ANACS for Mint Errors from 2000 to 2006. He is also the Publisher and Editor for
Mint Error News Magazine
and the
Mint Error News Website
that was founded in 2003. In 2009, Mike Byers published his first book,
World's Greatest Mint Errors
, which received the NLG Award for Best World Coin Book. In 2016, Mike Byers was featured on Fox News in an interview with one of his unique mint errors.
Mike Byers is a life member of ANA since 1985, a charter member of NGC and a featured dealer/member of PCGS. He is also a life member of the Central States Numismatic Society and the Florida United Numismatists. He is member A71 in the Certified Coin Exchange (CCE) and a member of CDN Exchange (BYRS).
Mike Byers was born in the coin business attending coin shows since he was six years old. When he was seventeen, he issued his first coin catalog. He has been a Market-Maker in U.S. Gold Coins and a dealer in major mint errors. In 1987 he offered limited partnerships and rare coin funds. He has written articles for The Coin Dealer Newsletter and has been featured on the front page of Coin World numerous times with his numismatic rarities. Mike Byers is a contributing author on mint errors for CoinLink & CoinWeek. He also assisted with the mint error section of Coin Facts on the PCGS website. You can visit Mike Byers and view his rarities at the ANA, Central States, FUN show and the Long Beach Coin Expo.
Mike Byers also deals in fine art including Leroy Neiman original oils as well as works by other renowned artists. He buys and sells oil and acrylics on canvas and board, bronzes, watercolors and mixed media artwork.
2016: Fox News Interview
In 2016, Mike Byers was interviewed in a Fox News segment showcasing his unique 1970-S Proof Quarter that was struck on a 1941 Canadian Quarter.
2009: World's Greatest Mint Errors
In 2009, Mike Byers published his first book,
World's Greatest Mint Errors
. This book combines stunning imagery with the most accurate information available to provide anyone interested in mint errors with the latest information on mint error coins from the United States and around the world. Hundreds of spectacular mint errors are pictured. Each error coin photo is presented in full color, and enlarged to enhance the smallest details. Some of the error coins featured in this book have never been seen by the public before, and each is described in great detail as to the type of error, the assigned grade, rarity and estimated value.
NLG Award for Best World Coin Book
in 2009 for
World's Greatest Mint Errors
2009: The Coin Dealer Newsletter
Mike Byers was the featured author in the October 9, 2009 issue of The Coin Dealer Newsletter (Vol. XXXIV No. 10) with a front-page article on mint errors.
2003: Publisher and Editor of Mint Error News
Magazine & Website
In 2003, the
Mint Error News
website was launched, which was originally sponsored by Mike Byers and ANACS. Due to the popularity of mint errors and the magazine it is now sponsored by Mike Byers and several other mint error dealers. It is a website devoted to bringing the latest mint error news and information to the collector. There are now hundreds of articles with features, discoveries, news stories, and mint error related info from the United States and around the World. This website became so popular that a print version, Mint Error News Magazine, was created and is read by thousands of readers.
THE BYERS COLLECTION
NGC began certifying a few major mint errors from Mike Byers' personal collection. These spectacular and rare coins each have "BYERS COLLECTION" designated on the NGC insert.
1874 G Mirror
Brockage on Obverse
NGC MS 62
1904 Double Struck
Rotated 180 Degrees in Collar
NGC MS 62 CAC
0,000
(1928) 25¢ Struck on a
1¢ Planchet 3.02 Grams
NGC MS 63 BN
Featured on the Front Page of Coin World
Mike Byers' discoveries have been
featured on the front page of Coin World.
1999: Mike Byers Inc. Website Launched
Mike Byers Inc is one of the largest Numismatic corporations dealing in U.S. Gold Coins, Patterns and Rarities certified by PCGS and NGC. The Mike Byers Inc website was launched in 1999 and today it is considered the most widely viewed and informative numismatic websites specializing in PCGS or NGC certified Pre-1840 Gold Coins, Patterns or Early Type Mint Errors (Pre-1950).
Coin World December 1, 2003 Page 53 Full Page Ad
1990-1999: Dealer in World Coins
Since 1990, Mike Byers has traveled extensively in Europe purchasing the finest quality World Coins. We specialize in Swiss, German and English rarities in the finest quality obtainable. Here's an example of a full page ad in the European Coin Magazine,
Munzen Revue
. We buy many high quality World rarities.
1987-1988: Limited Partnerships / Rare Coin Funds
In 1987, Mike Byers Inc was one of the FIRST major U.S. dealers to offer SEC approved Limited Partnerships / Rare Coin Funds. We purchased major rarities including proof gold, early type gold, and gem mint state gold. Our ads soliciting investors appeared in the
Wall Street Journal
,
Coin World
, and other publications. Later on, many coin dealers followed our lead and offered Limited Partnerships as well.
1978-1999: Market-Maker in U.S. Gold Coins
Mike Byers and Mike Byers Inc have purchased millions of dollars of rare United States gold coins and collections. For over 35 years we have been Market-Makers in U.S. gold coins. Here is an example of one of our many full page ads in the Certified Coin Dealer Newsletter, which we placed over the years. We buy and sell proof gold, mint state gold, gold commems and early gold.
1975: Major Mint Error Catalog
From 1974 - 1978 I mailed out over 25 price lists of major mint errors. My all time favorite was my first catalog which was photographed, printed and distributed in 1975 by John Devine (Lonesome John) from Newbury Park, CA. It was a 26 page catalog containing the finest major mint errors with photographs, descriptions and prices.
This Gold Indian Head Cent was
recently certified by PCGS as MS 65.
TERMS OF SALE
When Purchasing Items
From Mike Byers Inc:
All coins are kept in a bank vault. Please allow two business days for order processing.
Prices are subject to change without notice and all items are subject to prior sale.
All coins are guaranteed genuine and are delivered registered, insured, and prepaid.
We accept credit cards and PayPal. There is a 5% fee for any returned items that were paid using PayPal.
Seven day return privilege upon receipt. Coins must be returned in original holders.
Sales tax will be collected unless a proper resale certificate is provided at the time of purchase.