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Type Vs Variety

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janknez's Avatar
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 Posted 03/26/2008  2:04 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add janknez to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
What's the difference between a variety and a type? Or, how is each defined?

From what I observe, it appears that varieties exist for coins minted in the same year, whereas types are design changes from year to year.

Take Ikes, for example. The 1976 Bicentennial is a type (different from the previous year) but the 1976 Bicentennial has two varieties: broad-letter and narrow-letter.

This works for the two versions of the 1883 Liberty nickel ("cents" and "no cents") which are called varieties.

But it is not true for the 1913 Indian head/buffalo nickel -- raised mound and recessed area -- which are generally called Type 1 and Type 2.

So, is it any wonder I get confused?

Jan
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jbuck's Avatar
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187662 Posts
 Posted 03/26/2008  2:20 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add jbuck to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
From the Gloassary...

type

A variation in design, size, or metallic content of a specific coin design. Examples include the Small and Heraldic Eagle types of Draped Bust coinage, Large-Size and Small-Size Capped Bust quarters, and the 1943 Lincoln Cent struck in zinc-coated steel.

variety

A coin of the same date and basic design as another but with slight differences. PCGS recognizes all major varieties while there are thousands of minor varieties, most of which have significance only to specialists of the particular series. After hubbed dies, introduced in the 1840s, varieties are mainly variations in date and mintmark size and placement.
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jbuck's Avatar
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 Posted 03/26/2008  2:24 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add jbuck to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Using these definitions, "Type" includes a variation of design.

The 1913 recessed ground Buffalo nickel and the 1976 Eisenhower with narrow letters were design changes, although minor; therefore I would call them Types.

I am sure there are those that will disagree!
Edited by jbuck
03/26/2008 2:25 pm
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