The “50 State Quarters Die ONLY Denver Mint Retirement Date 1/17/1999” for sale is an actual working die used by the United States Mint to strike official 50 State Quarters coinage at the Denver Mint. These dies have been retired and are no longer used for production. To comply with security protocols and prevent coin counterfeiting, the striking surfaces of the dies are usually removed or altered after retirement before being sold.
Such die sets are highly collectible and often come with a certificate of authenticity (COA) from the U.S. Mint, confirming the die’s use in official coin production. They are prized by collectors and numismatic enthusiasts interested in minting history and the manufacture of coins. Sometimes, the die is accompanied by one of the first coins struck using it, adding further collectible value.
These original working dies from the 50 State Quarters program, especially from early production at the Denver Mint, are rare and unique artifacts of U.S. Mint history. They occasionally appear for sale in specialized auctions, numismatic dealers, and authorized resellers.
In summary, the die for sale from the Denver Mint with a retirement date of January 17, 1999, is a genuine U.S. Mint working die used in producing 50 State Quarters. It is sold primarily as a collector’s piece showing minting heritage rather than as legal tender or currency, and it often comes with official authenticity documentation.