By Mike Byers for Mint Error News ……
These uncanceled obverse and reverse dies was made on the United States Mint in Philadelphia and used to strike Costa Rica 1897 10 Colones and 20 Colones gold cash. These dies had been simply authenticated and authorized by NGC and are distinctive in personal fingers. Uncanceled Costa Rica dies produced on the Philadelphia Mint are extraordinarily uncommon.
The Costa Rica Central Financial institution Museum lists two 1897 20 Colones dies and 4 undated 10 Colones dies of their assortment. No dies or cash for the extraordinarily uncommon Proof 1897 2 Colones are listed of their assortment! It’s wonderful that these 125-year-old uncanceled dies survived. They’re in wonderful situation contemplating their age and the truth that they had been working dies. The one different uncanceled die identified in personal fingers is a singular Proof obverse die for the extraordinarily uncommon 1897 2 Colones.
The U.S. Mint in Philadelphia solely struck gold coinage for under six overseas international locations together with Costa Rica – the others had been Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Syria, and Venezuela. In 1906, the Philadelphia Mint additionally struck the Mexico Gold 5 Pesos, however the dies had been made in Mexico and the cash had been struck each within the U.S. and Mexico. Mint Error News published an extensive 69-page PDF on foreign coins struck at the U.S. Mint.
These uncanceled Costa Rica 1897 10 Colones and 20 Colones dies are historic numismatic treasures and worthy of show in a coin museum or the best coin assortment.
* * *