1881 Half Eagle Mint Error (1881 $5 Mint Error), Broadstruck,  NGC MS64 CAC. 1881 $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle, With Motto, Broadstruck Out Of Collar, Mint Error. Error coins are one of the more fascinating and rewarding areas of numismatics that one can pursue.

With millions and even billions of pieces produced each year by the United States Mint, a myriad of different types of errors can occur. While some of these are subtle and rather ordinary, many are dramatic and extremely rare. This interesting type of error is considered a “broadstrike”. According to the 2010 “A Guide Book to United States Coins” (commonly referred to as “The Red Book”), this type of error occurs when a coin is struck without being contained in the collar die, causing it to spread out larger than normal.

As a sidenote, all broadstrikes have plain edges. The dramatic error piece offered here is particularly appealing and rare as gold error coins are almost never encountered. Despite the broad strike the devices are crisp and bold. The lemon and orange peel surfaces are lustrous and original and possess a mint fresh eye appeal. CAC has reviewed and approved this coin as being choice for its grade attesting to the overall quality of the piece. This is a beautiful and scarce gold half eagle error that will most certainly please even the most discriminating collector. Spectacular!!