‘Type’ and ‘Variety’ Terms Have Different Meanings

• Are the terms “type” and “variety” interchangeable?

A type coin has an entirely different design than other designs that have been used on a coin denomination. The term “variety” refers to minor differences such as Liberty having drapery or not within a type coin design.

• Maria Tallchief is on two 2023 coins to be released by the U.S. Mint this year, these being the American Woman quarter and the Native American dollar. Has there been any other American on two different coins in the same year? I have searched online and asked a few other collectors, and so far I have found no others.

George Washington has been on the quarter since 1932; however, he has also been on a commemorative half dollar in 1982, 1991 Mount Rushmore half dollar and on a 1999 $5 gold commemorative. Lincoln has appeared on our cent since 1909; however, since that time he has also appeared simultaneously on the 1918 Illinois Centenary half dollar, the 1991 Mount Rushmore half dollar and 2009 Lincoln commemorative dollar. Thomas Jefferson has been depicted on our 5-cent coin since 1938. He also appears on the 1994 Jefferson commemorative dollar as well as on the 1991 Mount Rushmore half dollar.

• I recently learned there is a 1958 doubled die cent. Are there diagnostics on this cent I should be watching for?

An example was sold by Stack’s Bowers in 2018 accompanied by the following description: “The spread to the doubling is wide and pronounced on the letters in the word LIBERTY and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. Less pronounced doubling is also evident on the digits in the date, particularly the 8.”

• How can I tell if I have a Die 1 or a Die 2 1873 doubled die Indian cent?

The obverse is the same on each of these varieties; however, the Die 1 reverse lacks a die lump between the “C” in “CENT” and the wreath. The first die is the scarcer of the two.

• What was the function of communion tokens?

Communion is considered to be a sacred event in most Christian churches. The Church of Scotland was among the Protestant churches that gave admission tokens to parishioners determined by church elders to be worthy of taking part in communion. John Calvin introduced the tokens in 1560.

• Were communion tokens used in the United States?

The Conecocheague Presbyterian Church in Welsh Run, Pa., was the first to issue communion tokens in what was to become the United States. The CPC tokens are dated 1748. While admission to taking communion is still screened by some churches, paper tickets have long since replaced metal tokens for this purpose. It has been suggested the last of these tokens was used in as many as 24 states, some as late as until about 1950.

• I’ve seen some dramatic price differences for two coins slabbed in the same grade by two different grading services. Is it worth buying the cheaper coin, then submitting it to the service whose coins appear to sell for a higher price?

There may be a difference between the two coins being judged, but I’ve seen what I would call “punishing” price discrepancies between like coins simply because one certification service is more popular than another. In all situations buy the coin, not the slab. Yes, coins are “cracked out” of an encapsulation from one service all the time, then sent to another service hoping for the same grade in anticipation of getting a higher price for that coin.

• Why could one certification service grade coins more strictly than could another? Isn’t there a standard by which all coins are graded?

There are numerous books on grading, each with its own take on what should be considered in assigning a grade. In addition, each of the major third-party certification services has their own set of graded coins to use as the standard for coins they will grade. There is no singular or centralized set of coins or books on the subject that are in full agreement on grading.

• When should I consider having a coin slabbed?

You may want to consider having a coin authenticated and graded by a third-party certification service simply because, due to future handling, the coin might otherwise diminish in value. You might consider having the coin slabbed because you have reason to question the authenticity of the coin or the grade to which someone has assigned it. Having doubts about such information already provided by one such service would be a reason to consider having the coin re-examined by another service.

• Are there coins that are almost unsalable if these coins had their authenticity checked by a third-party service?

While counterfeiters and those who alter authentic coins will take an interest in any coin, there are rarities that are usually targeted. Some counterfeits are so good, authentication by a third-party service is almost mandatory or no one wants to risk buying them. The same can be said of potential alterations made to change dates or mintmarks.

• Is it OK to crack out a coin from a slab, then keep the information insert with the coin?

The label or insert that accompanies a coin once it has been encapsulated by a third-party certification service includes a serial number unique to that coin as well as the qualified opinion the coin is genuine and offers the assigned grade based on the service’s experience. Some collectors still prefer their coins to be “raw,” not encapsulated, especially ancient coins. You can keep the informational insert with the coin, but should you prepare to resell the coin later it will likely become necessary to re-submit the coin for certification since the informational insert could be switched to another raw coin otherwise. 

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