Hi All, This will make things easier when talking about ERRORS and VARIETIES. There is actually a definition for each word and the terms are often used incorrectly. An Error is a mishap in the actual minting process occuring when the coin is struck. These are things like, Off-Center struck coins, multiple struck coins, Coins struck on incomplete planchets, coins struck on metal fragments, coins struck on the wrong metal planchets, coins with die breaks or chips and so on. Although two ERROR coins may look the same, they are by virtue of the fact that they are individually struck, different. A Variety is a coin that can be attributed to a particular set of dies. Each coin is (except for die state) identical to other coins struck from the same dies. These include varieities like Large and Small date coins, doubled dies, Repunched Mintmarks, Over mintmarks, etc. Varieities have certain diagnostic marks that can be used to attribute particular coins and trace them back to particular dies. So Errors are not the same as Varieties. Of course, it is possible to have one coin that is both. Let's say, for example you have a 1995 Doubled Die cent that is struck Off-Center. The variety is the 1995 DDO, the error is that it is struck Off-center. Some may argue that the mistake in the process of creating a die that results in a doubled die would make coins struck by that die errors. That is not the case. Once the die is made, there was a mistake in the making of the die. When that die strikes several coins, a variety is created. One other note, die breaks or chips may be used as diagnostics to attribute a variety but the die being cracked as it strikes a coin is an error. How's that? Clear as mud? Have Fun, Bill
As a side note - every coin struck is a variety. In theory diagnostics can be applied to a particular coin to attribute it as being struck by a specific die. It is the error in the die that determines whether it is a collectable variety or not. Now that should make it clearer.
I agree that doubled dies, RPM's, repunched dates, etc. are die varieties. Cuds, die chips, die gouges, die dents, die abrasion, and other forms of die damage/failure are "die errors". In the end, it doesn't really matter what you name the overarching category, as long as you're aware of the nature and origin of the defect.
Hi Mike, I agree I'm just trying to get folks to use some of the terminology that is accepted amongst variety and error nuts (Like Me)! Phrases like Doubled Die Error and Off-Center variety just drive me nuts Actually its not much of a drive but more like a short putt Have Fun, Bill
