I have been sorting through my cent coins and I came across this 5 cent German 2002 A coin which has very different looking dates as seen in the picture. On one coin the dates is very clear and even, and on the other the numbers seem smaller, thicker and more scrunched together. Is this quite common?
If your want to compare 2 coins, you should show pictures with the exact same zoom.
Then, for a coin minted at 47 600 000 items, we may imagine that different dies were used and a small difference between different dies is not considered as a variant.
Referee of south atlantic islands
Το θέμα μεταφέρθηκε σε "Coin information and questions".(ZacUK, 8 Οκτ 2024, 20:52)
Apologies, I thought I had provided the correct pictures. Here are some right next to each other with same zoom in the same photo. And just to understand, what exactly then makes a coin a variant? If it is a different die from the same mint and year would that not make it so?
I think what you found is classified as a variation that occurs during the mint process with the same die (e.g. die wear over time). It would not be considered a variety. Here is an example of a variety:
I think what you found is classified as a variation that occurs during the mint process with the same die (e.g. die wear over time). It would not be considered a variety. Here is an example of a variety:
Ah I see, so it it doesn't necessarily follow a similar style to others but it just a sort if an imperfection?
I wouldn't call it an imperfection. More like slow, continuous degradation of the die over its lifetime. Coins directly from the mint to grading services get an MS grade, some MS62, some MS 64 all the way up to MS70 which is very rare. None of those coins have seen any wear. The difference in grades is partially due to the age of the die. Dies used for proof coins have a much shorter useful life than dies used for circulation coins.
For once, I asked the AI : The life of a wedge die depends on several factors, including the material used, die design, and production conditions. Typically, a wedge die can produce between 10,000 and 50,000 coins before showing significant signs of wear. In some cases, high-quality dies can produce up to 100,000 coins. However, regular inspection is essential to determine when a die needs to be replaced.
And as you had already told me for the Netherlands East Indies coin that a small variation between dies is not considered as a variety, It might be the same case here with two slightly different dies even though I imagine that modern manufacturing methods leave little room for differences between two dies 😏
I wouldn't call it an imperfection. More like slow, continuous degradation of the die over its lifetime. Coins directly from the mint to grading services get an MS grade, some MS62, some MS 64 all the way up to MS70 which is very rare. None of those coins have seen any wear. The difference in grades is partially due to the age of the die. Dies used for proof coins have a much shorter useful life than dies used for circulation coins.
Ah I see- that makes sense. What are some ways I can tell if it is just wear from the die or some sort of variant? Would it just be best to measure the different elements etc.? Coincidentally I also found in my 2 cent coins that from the 2021 F there is also a difference in the text of the numbers, with one being much thicker and bulkier than the other as seen in the photo. I have also seen before with other coins that this could be a sign of a variant, but how can I tell? Thanks again for the useful info!
It's always best to compare uncirculated coins if you suspect there might be a variant. If you question if what you are seeing is a real difference then it's probably not.
It's always best to compare uncirculated coins if you suspect there might be a variant. If you question if what you are seeing is a real difference then it's probably not.
Again makes perfect sense- thanks again for the info!
For once, I asked the AI : The life of a wedge die depends on several factors, including the material used, die design, and production conditions. Typically, a wedge die can produce between 10,000 and 50,000 coins before showing significant signs of wear. In some cases, high-quality dies can produce up to 100,000 coins. However, regular inspection is essential to determine when a die needs to be replaced.
And as you had already told me for the Netherlands East Indies coin that a small variation between dies is not considered as a variety, It might be the same case here with two slightly different dies even though I imagine that modern manufacturing methods leave little room for differences between two dies 😏
I didn't mean to imply that this is definitely because of a worn die only. Just that it is a variation (which could also be due to minor die variations). Mint marks done by hand after the die is made is also a variation if the exact location is different but that's not the case here.
I check the US Mint. The die for 1 cent coins make about 1,000,000 each while the dies for dimes make about 275,000 each.
