1806 browning 4 quarter - pcgs get it wrong?

There is a difference and unfortunately too many people use the terms incorrectly and interchangeably.

Die STATE refers to the amount of WEAR the die has received. It represent a continuous gradual wearing out of the die from when it is sharp and new, until it is heavily worn and flowlined.

Die STAGE refers discrete steps or changes in the die from chips, cracks, clashes, polishing etc.

Since die states are a continuous change it is a a bit subjective as to whether a coin fits into the die state range Is it early to middle, middle, or middle to late state?

Die stages have distinct before and after points. A coin that has a die crack is without question a later stage than one from the same die with no crack. A coin with a clash is a later stage than a coin with no clash

And it is possible to have a coin in a very early die state but a very late/terminal die stage. Imaging a brand new die , it strikes say 50 coins and then BANG it cracks rim to rim, and the a couple more strikes and a chunk of the die breaks off and falls away. Then the die is retired. Now ALL of the coins from this die are going to be sharp and unworn so the are ALL from a very early die state. But they are from three very distinct die stages, stage I from the perfect die, stage II from the cracked die, and stage III the terminal stage with a cud.

Conversely you could have a die that goes through its whole life from sharp and new to heavily worn without ever cracking, chipping, or clashing. In that case you hav coins from early, early to middle , middle , middle to late, Late and even very late die states, but they are ALL die stage I.

 

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