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Posted 03/21/2011 7:02 pm
Hmm...number of completely correct posts so far = 0.
Okay...here goes, but I KNOW I have posted this in and around here a number of times. It's actually VERY simple, and everyone has it wrong to some extent or another.
type - A major change in design. I don't think I need say more, except that ANY use of the term "type" other than to describe the " Franklin half dollar type versus the Kennedy half dollar type" or a "major U.S. Type set" are wrong. The term "type" does NOT apply to mintmark styles, doubled die classes, etc.
variety - A change that was meant to take place but was not necessarily meant to be noticed. Mintmark styles, date sizes, minor detail changes (re-engraving, etc.), changes in font (1976 dollars), large letters vs. small letters...these are ALL "varieties". The 1979-S proof coins have two "varieties" - 1 and 2. They are NOT "types".
die variety - An anomaly on a die that is repeated throughout the die's life - from the first coin struck to the last coin struck. Included are doubled dies, repunched mintmarks, over mintmarks, repunched dates, and over dates. ALL of these were on the die when it entered service, and were on the die when it was retired.
error - Subdivided into three classes - Planchet, Die, and Strike. Planchet errors are errors that occurred with the planchets before they entered the coining process. Laminations, although very common, fall under this group. Die errors are problems that occur with the die while it is striking coins. Cuds fall into this group, as do major clashes, overpolishing, etc. They are generally repeated ONLY after they occur. Coins struck BEFORE the die error are normal. Striking errors comprise the vast majority of errors, and happen as the result of the strike. The planchet and die could have been completely normal, but because of a problem at the moment the coin was struck you end up with an error. Double struck, saddle struck, broadstruck, etc.
So...examples...
1. A Cud is a die error. It's a break in the die that occurred after the die was hung on the press for use.
2. An unplated planchet is a planchet eror. It was not plated when it entered the process.
3. A doubled die is a die variety. The die had doubling when it was created and ALL coins struck by it show the same doubling.
4. An 1858 large letters F.E. cent is a variety. There is a small letters variety as well.
5. A Close AM 1992 cent is actually an error. It's a mule. An unintended design coupled with another design.
6. A 1937D three-legged Buffalo nickel is a die error. Overpolishing occurred on the die after it started striking coins.
7. The 1942/1 Mercury dimes are actually doubled dies. In order to have an over date, the date would have to have been punched into the die separately from the hubbing process. This is not the case. In fact, ALL 20th century coins with two different dates (unintended) are doubled dies - class 3, design hub doubling, to be exact.
8. A quarter struck on a dime planchet is a striking error. The planchet was normal - just the wrong one.
9. A quarter struck on stock intended for a dime (thinner) is a planchet error. The planchet was flawed before it was struck.
If you really follow the rules above, everything can be properly explained and most of the guessing can simply end. If everyone would use the terms above as defined, we could enter an age where everyone understands them, everyone can teach them, and those who learn can enjoy collecting coins UNDERSTANDING the process that made them. Moreover, they can completely and properly understand WHY separate terms are used to describe them.
Okay...here goes, but I KNOW I have posted this in and around here a number of times. It's actually VERY simple, and everyone has it wrong to some extent or another.
type - A major change in design. I don't think I need say more, except that ANY use of the term "type" other than to describe the " Franklin half dollar type versus the Kennedy half dollar type" or a "major U.S. Type set" are wrong. The term "type" does NOT apply to mintmark styles, doubled die classes, etc.
variety - A change that was meant to take place but was not necessarily meant to be noticed. Mintmark styles, date sizes, minor detail changes (re-engraving, etc.), changes in font (1976 dollars), large letters vs. small letters...these are ALL "varieties". The 1979-S proof coins have two "varieties" - 1 and 2. They are NOT "types".
die variety - An anomaly on a die that is repeated throughout the die's life - from the first coin struck to the last coin struck. Included are doubled dies, repunched mintmarks, over mintmarks, repunched dates, and over dates. ALL of these were on the die when it entered service, and were on the die when it was retired.
error - Subdivided into three classes - Planchet, Die, and Strike. Planchet errors are errors that occurred with the planchets before they entered the coining process. Laminations, although very common, fall under this group. Die errors are problems that occur with the die while it is striking coins. Cuds fall into this group, as do major clashes, overpolishing, etc. They are generally repeated ONLY after they occur. Coins struck BEFORE the die error are normal. Striking errors comprise the vast majority of errors, and happen as the result of the strike. The planchet and die could have been completely normal, but because of a problem at the moment the coin was struck you end up with an error. Double struck, saddle struck, broadstruck, etc.
So...examples...
1. A Cud is a die error. It's a break in the die that occurred after the die was hung on the press for use.
2. An unplated planchet is a planchet eror. It was not plated when it entered the process.
3. A doubled die is a die variety. The die had doubling when it was created and ALL coins struck by it show the same doubling.
4. An 1858 large letters F.E. cent is a variety. There is a small letters variety as well.
5. A Close AM 1992 cent is actually an error. It's a mule. An unintended design coupled with another design.
6. A 1937D three-legged Buffalo nickel is a die error. Overpolishing occurred on the die after it started striking coins.
7. The 1942/1 Mercury dimes are actually doubled dies. In order to have an over date, the date would have to have been punched into the die separately from the hubbing process. This is not the case. In fact, ALL 20th century coins with two different dates (unintended) are doubled dies - class 3, design hub doubling, to be exact.
8. A quarter struck on a dime planchet is a striking error. The planchet was normal - just the wrong one.
9. A quarter struck on stock intended for a dime (thinner) is a planchet error. The planchet was flawed before it was struck.
If you really follow the rules above, everything can be properly explained and most of the guessing can simply end. If everyone would use the terms above as defined, we could enter an age where everyone understands them, everyone can teach them, and those who learn can enjoy collecting coins UNDERSTANDING the process that made them. Moreover, they can completely and properly understand WHY separate terms are used to describe them.
