1939 1 Cent, Different Size Date, Die Wear?

Since the numeral edges were beveled, there is a lot to said regarding numeral size differences caused by variations in the pressures used to raise different dies, or variations in strike pressure between two different coins.

Obverse & Reverse of coin in question.





Obverse & Reverse of normal 1939 coin.






Sorry if the lighting is not all that great, I'm still working out the settings for my microscope.

I understand what you's are saying but my only question really is if it were just circulation wear wouldn't the eye of the 9 be a lot smaller, even with the bevelled edges of the device.

Yet the coin with the thick 9 has the same device height as the one with the thin 9, and still has a very small eye compared to the thin 9.

Long story short, to get this effect wouldnt the die itself be worn not the coin from circulation similar to Die Deterioration?

Both coins are in close to the same condition, and I'm not jumping to conclusions by any means, simply just trying to understand why the digits in the date are two completely different sizes, I did everything I could think of regarding overlays, micro measurements ect, and my only conclusion would be the die itself was worn or completely different.

john I first did a full overlay. the second coin I had to turn clockwise a bite. so everything on the 2 coins are identical. except for the inscription. running down the right side of the coin. the punched letters at ET to IMP an the 2 dots. slowly start to space a little wider. here you go. here is your images. john outstanding images. very well done.

First of all, George VI is not my series. I have never studied them. Having said that, you are probably dealing with at least three design transfers.

1. Matrix to punch.
2. Punch to die.
3. Die to coin.

Assuming beveled numerals in relief on the coins, the higher the pressure used to make a matrix to punch transfer, the narrower the peaks of the numerals, as more metal is forced further into the incuse portions of the matrix.

The higher the pressure used to make a punch to die transfer, the wider the bases of the relief design elements, as more metal is forced aside by the punch sinking deeper into the die. Less pressure here can actually make the numerals smaller overall with larger insides to the loops.

The coin strike is similar to the matrix to punch transfer. More pressure means narrower, more well-defined peaks to the numerals on the coin.

In addition to pressure, the first two types of transfer may involve more than one iteration with imperfect alignment between iterations. This can cause the true doubled and tripled die effects. Tiny mis-alignments can merely make numerals thicker with no visible separations between iterations.

Adding to the variables, punches and dies do wear and deteriorate with use, with opposite effects. Punch wear makes punch numerals thinner. Die wear makes die numerals thicker.

Finally, coin wear plays into things also. As a coin wears, beveled numerals begin to appear thicker and the inside of loops appear smaller. They don't actually change size. They just lose metal from their high points and the bevel makes them look to be a different size.

On any given coin, you are seeing the net result of all of these variables combined. I very much appreciate your enthusiasm, but unfortunately on the two coins you show I just find the differences unremarkable.

I am with john on this one. this generated a lot of great information. isn't that what this forum all about. keep up the great work thank you

bosox very said. I think now. I may have a idea who you are. I think I just purchased a book you may have written. well so far if you wrote this wow incredible. the book is titled PAST NEARLY PERFECT. there is some incredible pictures in this book. well I have been playing around with some glass. I have done the math. I put these pieces all together. I would like to show you how far. I have come with this unit. I still have to get it solid and calibrated. I used my Sony A&R Mark II. I designed this with a c21 mount. here is and image. some thing else if I relay a lens. I get 50X out of this unit. this image is at about 14X to 15X. I would like to know your thoughts.

bosox I would like to know your thought. this is a Jefferson 5 cent coin. what do you think of this P and the dot. that is stamped on this coin. switched my camera mode to APSC. here is the image.