What does the term Mule mean? - Page 2

CamaroDMD · 07-04-2009, 11:21 PM

Mules are much more common with paper currency. On coins, there are unbelievably rare and in many cases are fakes.

Hobo · 07-05-2009, 03:04 AM

This may be obvious but here goes . . .

Why was the term 'mule' chosen for a coin produced from obverse and reverse dies that were not intended to be used together? Because the animal known as the mule is the offspring of two species that don't exactly go together - a male donkey and a female horse. Like most hybrids, the mule is usually sterile.

sasquatch07 · 07-05-2009, 03:42 AM

i have a mule british undated 2o pence coin and want to find out the value can anybody help would be much appreciated thanks.

dready · 07-05-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroDMD

Mules are much more common with paper currency. On coins, there are unbelievably rare and in many cases are fakes.

This is courtesy of The Heritage Auction site:
Mule Notes
Mule notes occur on both Large- and small-size notes. On Large-size notes beginning in 1921 when Frank White took office, new back plates were also created for notes being printed, however, the location of the plate number was changed! Detailed information can be found in "The Comprehensive Catalog of United States Large Size Star Notes" by Doug Murray.
A small-size mule is a note that has a micro plate number on one side and a macro plate number on the other. Micro numbers measure 0.6mm and macros measure 1mm high.
During the transition to all macro plates, both micro and macro plates were in use. Usually these different plates were side-by-side on the same press. This occurred because the BEP had a standard economic policy of using up obsolete plates rather than scrapping them. Whenever micro faces are paired with macro backs, or macro faces are paired with micro backs, a mule is produced.
Some mule notes are scarce, while some are not. Sometimes the non-mule note is scarcer than the mule note for a given series. Mules are an intriguing part of collecting small size United States paper money. Here is an example of a mule note that I received as a prize for winning a contest held by RickieB. Thanks again Rickie..................................John

Conder101 · 07-05-2009, 10:48 AM

I have no idea what Heritage is talking about on the small size note and micro/macro plate numbers. I know there are mule small size notes but I don't think it has anything to do with the size of the plate numbers. There IS a small size dollar not that was made in Ft Worth that has the back plate number 295 in the smaller size that is used in Washington DC, but it is an error on the plate not a mule.

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