Hey fellow stackers and numismatists, welcome back to Irish Silver Stack!
Today, I’m bringing a coin under the microscope that has me scratching my head and reaching out to the wider coin collecting community for help. It’s a beautiful, yet potentially flawed, 2018 2oz Silver Queen’s Beasts Unicorn of Scotland, and it presents a compelling question: Did I stumble upon a genuine mint error, or is this just an unfortunate example of modern quality control from the Royal Mint?
The Coin in Question: A Royal Beast with a Royal Mystery
The Queen’s Beasts series is renowned for its stunning designs and high-quality silver bullion. The Unicorn of Scotland, with its intricate details and powerful presence, is a particular favorite for many. My specific coin is the 2018 2oz Silver Unicorn of Scotland. It’s a weighty, impressive piece, and that’s why the anomaly I found stands out so much.
Spotting the Anomaly: An Obverse Issue in Her Majesty’s Hair
So, i was taking pictures of this coin to sell when i saw, what looks like sharks or dogs teeth, or even a saw like mark on the hair of the of the queen. The potential issue lies on the obverse side of the coin – that’s the side featuring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Specifically, there’s a distinct mark or flaw located within the intricate detailing of the Queen’s hair/bust area.
When examining it under magnification, it doesn’t immediately look like typical wear-and-tear or a simple milk spot. It has a texture and presence that suggests it might have been there from the moment the coin was struck. However defiantly not in the overall design aesthetic that you see on the queen.
Error Coin vs. Quality Control: The Million-Dollar Question
This is where the debate begins, and where I truly need your insights.
- Could it be a Genuine Mint Error?
- Die Flaw: Perhaps a tiny imperfection on the working die itself, transferring to the coin.
- Struck-Through Error: Where a foreign object (like a piece of lint, metal shaving, or grease) gets caught between the die and the planchet during the striking process. This often leaves an impression or an absence of detail.
- Planchet Flaw: An imperfection in the blank silver disc before it was even struck.
- Or is it a Quality Control Lapse?
- Modern minting processes, even at prestigious institutions like the Royal Mint, aren’t always flawless. Minor imperfections can sometimes slip through.
- Is it simply an unfortunate scuff or mark that occurred during handling, transportation, or packaging before it reached me?
- Could it be a common, but undesirable, characteristic of this particular mintage that’s not technically an “error” in the valuable sense, but rather a sign of less-than-perfect production?
What I’m Looking For
In my latest YouTube video (link embedded below!), I provide high-resolution close-ups of this exact spot, compare it to other Queen’s Beasts coins in my collection, and explain my observations in detail. I’m inviting all of you to watch the video, examine the evidence, and lend your expert eyes to this mystery.
Your Expertise is Needed!
I’m genuinely keen to hear from experienced error collectors, Queen’s Beasts specialists, and anyone with a keen eye for numismatic details.
- Have you seen similar marks on your 2018 Unicorn of Scotland, or any other Queen’s Beasts coins?
- Based on the images and video, what’s your professional opinion? Mint error or quality control issue?
- What steps would you take to further investigate this?
Please leave your thoughts, theories, and advice in the comments section below, both here on the blog and on the YouTube video. Your input is invaluable in solving this intriguing coin mystery!