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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,340 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
HI all Another in my series of newbie coin questions: How unusual is it for a standard coin series to have more than one design in one year? I'm not talking about the US Mint and the 12,637 different Quarter designs each year. I mean something like the 1oz Silver Eagle, which is changing part way through the year, thus creating two versions for 2021. Has that ever happened with other non-commemorative coinage in the past? Granted, the Eagles are not considered "currency", as such. I am having trouble typing up my question, so I hope you can all read my mind...    |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I believe there were 3 different nickel designs in 1883, 2 different nickel designs in 1866, 2 different designs for all silver coins in 1916, 2 different cent designs in 1909, 2 different dollar designs in 1921, and those just off the top of my head. The quarter and half dollar had 2 different designs in 1853, 1854, 1855, 1873 and 1874. You can get into the weeds after that with minor changes, but when you go back beyond 1840 you could argue for hours. I'm sure I've missed some obvious ones.  Edited by Coinfrog
06/15/2021 6:58 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
8938 Posts |
 . Took the words right outta my mouth. The 1883 Nickel is the best example. |
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Pillar of the Community
Russian Federation
5172 Posts |
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The 1883 Nickel is the best example. The most recent example in circulating US coinage appears to be the 1938-D nickel - both Buffalo nickels and Jefferson nickels were made in 1938 in Denver. (Technically you could argue for the 2021 Crossing the Delaware quarter as a separate series from the ATB Quarter, in which case that changeover also happened partway through the year.) In general, both in the US and elsewhere - at least historically - it's not actually that uncommon for coinage types to change partway through a year, so that the same date exists in both types. Usually one or the other is rare, but sometimes both are fairly common (1883 nickels are one such example). |
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Bedrock of the Community
United Kingdom
17890 Posts |
It's happened twice recently with all circulating denominations in the UK - in 2008 when reverses switched from the Christopher Ironside reverse designs to the shield 'jigsaw', and in 2015 when the obverse portrait of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley was replaced by the Jody Clark portrait. In both years coins of both designs were issued for circulation. None are rare but the 2008 'Ironside' 2p and 10p coins are a little scarce and the Jody Clark £2 (which also has a new reverse design) is decidedly elusive. Cynics like me believe that The Royal Mint chose to switch designs halfway through the year so as to make more money selling proof sets to collectors! However, it's happened before: with shillings in 1927 (old and new reverse designs), farthings in 1895 (Bun and Veiled Heads and different Britannia reverses), threepences in 1893 (Jubilee and Veiled Heads) and all silver denominations in 1887. In 1887 there were actually three different sixpence designs issued for circulation in the same year. Edited by NumisRob
06/16/2021 04:30 am
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Moderator
 United States
34393 Posts |
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I am having trouble typing up my question, so I hope you can all read my mind... It sounds to me like you are wanting to know examples of un-planned changes to a design rather than ones that were previously planned by the mint. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Coinfrogs answer is pretty good but has some errors in it, and it misses a fair number of other examples. The two nickel designs was 1867 not 66, there were two in 1916 on the dime and quarter but not the half dollar. The (dime) quarter and half had two designs in 1853 and 1873 but not in 54,54 or 74. Other examples of multiple designs, 3 in cents in 1793, two in 1796 and 1857. 2 in five cents in 1938. 2 in Half Dimes in 1837, 1838 and 1853 2 in dimes in 1837, 1838, and 1860. 2 in quarters in 1838, and 1917. 2 in half dollars 1839, 1866 2 in dollars in 1795, 1798, 1873, and 1878. There are probably some in the gold as well but I don't know gold. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
781 Posts |
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It sounds to me like you are wanting to know examples of un-planned changes to a design rather than ones that were previously planned by the mint. Well, yes AND no... and yes... (any clearer?)  Looks like there have indeed been many design changes within a year. I am looking at the 1938 US Nickel and am reminded that the Jefferson coin was a "competition" design? I also see 1883 was "shield" to "Liberty". But my basic book doesn't explain WHY these changes occur(ed). SPENCE makes a good point, PLANNED vs. UNPLANNED design changes in one year... |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1313 Posts |
Bought this recently.... A papal state Testone 1684, they all had the same motto - "It is better to give than receive" There were 18 types of these issued in 1684 :)  Edited by andyg
06/18/2021 2:52 pm
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,340 |
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Posted 06/15/2021 6:52 pm
