Owner Comments:
General Comments:
1912 is a common date, though the number certified is much lower than for other common dates of the 20th Century. Only two Gems have been graded (at the same time no less). I'm always thinking more Gems will be graded, and as yet, this has not come to fruition.
The luster for this date usually displays extremely well, perhaps the most intense luster for any date in the series. For that reason, 1912 would make for an excellent type coin.
An ebay seller with a small hoard dispersed at least 18 Uncirculated coins in 2013-2014 at very reasonable prices, however the quality of these coins is unknown.
This is the second year coins appear with a small "R" in the rock base to the left of the shield. Examples without "R" are scarce, see discussion below. Also see extensive pricing information below.
Minor Varieties:
1. No initial R, L/L in SOL (low thin 1 in date)
2. Initial R
3. Initial R, same as 3, second 1/1 in date, under-numeral shows below (FC)
4. Initial R, same as 3, second 1/1 in date, under-numeral shows above, 2 is normal (FC)
5. Initial R, second 1/1 (short fat 1) in date, dramatic under-numeral shows above, 2 is high (FC)
6. Initial R, entire date lightly repunched (FC)
7. o/o superscript o (found on above varieites) (FC)
My experience is that most coins have an "R"; I have only seen a few without. Without-R coins should be considered scarce to rare, especially in high grades (I have not seen on in UNC), though the catalog does not reflect this (see below).
Flatt did designate the 1/1 second 1 in date variety, however I have discovered three very different manifestations of this repunching. The repunching with 2 high seems to only appear on well-circulated coins.
Other minor variatations in date placement exist.
Availability:
G-VF: Common
XF-AU: Common
60-62: Common
63-64: Somewhat Common
65-66: Scarce, Gem is top grade seen/certified
Population Report (August 2016):
NGC:
1912: One in 62; Two in 63; One in 64
1912 R: One in 64; Two
PCGS: One in 62; Two in 64
Total at both services: 10; 10 in Uncirculated; 2 in Gem
Please note that it is likely that all coins graded plain "1912" by NGC/PCGS do in reality have the "R".
Value Guide:
1972 Almanzar/Seppa: F: .90 VF: 1.25 XF: 2.00
Current KM:
1912 R: VF: 11 XF: 14 UNC: 25
1912 FG-R: VF: 13 XF: 22.50 UNC: 30
1912 FG: VF: 11 XF: 14 UNC: 25
1912/1 FG-R: VF: 11 XF: 18 UNC: 30.50
The catalog is in disarray for this date. "1912 R" is a nonsensical entry and should be removed. 1912/1 likely refers to the repunching on the second 1 in the date. Repunching should not be included in the SCWC, or if so, at the very least written 1912/12. If it indeed does refer to a 1912/1 overdate, I have not seen this coin.
The pricing is also poor for this date. First, 25 is the lowest value given in UNC for all 20th Century 1/5 Sols, and there is no reason this honor shouldn't go to the 1916 instead. Secondly, the with-R coin is listed at the finer price point, yet it is the without-R that is scarce, and very rare in mint state.
The 2009 KM actually had the without-"R" at $8 in UNC (Cheap!) and $15 for the with-"R" in UNC. Expect to pay 5-10 for a VF/XF. Nice raw UNC's may be had for a very reasonable price of 15-25 on occassion. In certified 63/64 expect 30-45, and Gem perhaps 45-55.
Mintage: 300,000