As we all know different coins have different wear points. When designers design the coin do they fully understand where the wear points will be and expect that there will also be wear points? What is the best coin design that has been able to withstand the wear. IMO either the buffalo or merc was the worst design because of the easy wear. I don't think I have ever seen a thread here on CT discussing certain aspects of coin design. I would like to hear some peoples input about what goes into the design both for current release and future historical implications.
Coin design typically has more to do with how well the coin will strike up than how well it will wear. Wear is a minor consideration. This is evidenced by the many coins that had wear issues and designs are usually only changed to accomodate wear issues after the fact. And then only if the wear affects a vital part of the coin like the date. Otherwise it is ignored for the most part. But the design striking up, that is important. Designs must be made in such a way so as to insure that the high points of each side are not directly opposite each other. For if they are then there will not be enough metal in those areas to fill the die recesses resulting in a good strike. And the high points must be low enough in relation to the low points for the same reason - there has to be enough metal to fill the die. Somtimes they get this right and sometimes they don't. And the higher relief a coin design has then the less likely it is that the issues will be known for being well struck. It is a fine balance to achieve, and one that is seldom done on the first try.
Good topic!!! First let me state my reference is before computers started performing most of this. I do not know the most modern processes being used. I think designers have it in their heads when designing but it is over-shadowed by thier artistic talents. Most artistic type people are not engineer types. It's when the designer's plaster model is being reveiwed by the technical people that the changes are considered, designs are adjusted, and changes made. They probably work with the designer and are in contact with him but then the shift to "what and how can we produce this" comes into play. I think it somewhat of a give and take proposition at this point. You can't do all in design and all in die preperation at the same time. There must be adjustments. A good one to look up on this subject would of course be the 1921 Peace dollar. Examples that have worn very well are" the Lincoln Cent, Walker Half, Indian Cent, Three cent nickle.
Ditto!! Great point, But like doug said a minor consideration based on All the other factors involved
A classic example is the Standing Liberty Quarter, which was modified to protect the date's wearing qualities. Perhaps they should have modified the Buffalo 5c, but didn't... or didn't do enough. Can anyone think of other examples ?
I certainly agree this would have been a good thing. I some cases they achieved this, but often not. Perhaps they felt artistic considerations outweighed strking issues, or felt modern technology could compensate by providing adequate strking pressure. One way to achieve this is to have a Liberty bust in the middle of the obverse and a wreath on the reverse. Thus, the deepest parts of the reverse correspond to the obverse fields, which have zero "die depth". On the many coins with an eagle on the reverse, the deepest parts of the two dies line up. Those coins require more pressure to strike, and are more likely to have weak strikes at the deepest parts of the die - the highest part of the design. Morgan Dollar people see this all the time, since the deepest obverse portion (the hair above the ear) is opposite the deepest reverse portion (the eagle's breast). They've made a science about which issues are more likely to suffer from poor strikes; collectors adjust their expectations accordingly.
What Ben mentions about the computerization and the CNC production of dies, simulations of striking and metal flow can be produced to show how new designs would appear under different striking pressures and metal composition. It would be possible also to simulate wear patterns . It is going to be interesting if such new techniques are used to their optimum. CNC wood routers are available for under $2500, and can be modified to make CNC metal milling possible. With the relative ease the mint could make dies, is it too far off before the mint starts selling a commercial advertising space on coins? Imagine "Coca-Cola" as a privy mark under the mint mark on the cent. Nah....that could never happen Jim
Up & coming failures I don't think I have ever seen a thread here on CT discussing certain aspects of coin design. I would like to hear some peoples input about what goes into the design both for current release and future historical implications. Up & coming failures" has yet to be addressed, No? I Just spent an hour going blind looking through my Z. Taylors for a 2010 date. It occurred to me that the mint has invented a new wear point in their small dollars. 10 years from now when these billons of coins are actually used daily by everyone, I'm thinking the vending machines/toll gates/parking meters,etc, will be gobbling them up spewing them around until the edges will become even more trashed.
