The edge lettering is applied in a TOTALLY RANDOM way to the coin AFTER the coin is struck with the obverse and reverse dies. Since the edge lettering is applied on a COIN by COIN basis, does that mean that EVERY presidential dollar is an ERROR?

Let me start by saying that I do not normally look very closely at the edge of a coin. Sure, if there is a BANG, or a really bad gouge I may notice but that is about as far as my interests go.

Since the introduction of the new Washinton Dollar, I have been looking at the edges of quite a few presidential dollars.

2134 to be exact ( so far ).

38 of them have been of the "no edge type" VARIETY.

What I have discovered is that there is absolutely no pattern to the application of the inscription on the edge of the coin. It is totally RANDOM.

It can be upside down, right side up, it can start at the top of the coin, the bottom of the coin or anywhere in between. In short there is no place on the edge of the coin that you can point to as the "CORRECT" place for the edge inscriptions to be.

I am surprised that the US mint would put out a coin with a RANDOM edge pattern. It seems to go against a LONG history of minting oustanding coins. As an artist myself, it goes against almost every artistic principal, it seems to have no merit other than to preserve the inscriptions required by law. Almost like taking a black rubber stamp and having a bunch of guys at the end of the press stamping "In God We Trust" randomly on a bunch of one dollar bills.

For my money I am glad to have a few of these coins without the nasty stamped inscription on them. It is a much cleaner and attractive coin.

As a side note, Anyone want to take a poll about getting rid of all these STUPID polls?