Coin Collecting by Die Variety — the Spice of Life
Coin Collecting by Die Variety the Spice of Life
Here's a simplified explanation of a die variety: A die is a cylindrical piece of steel with a design on one end. An engraver or die sinker cuts a design into the steel. Stamping a blank disk of metal with the die creates a raised design on the blank. To make any coin, you actually need three dies, but for the purpose of most die varieties, generally only two dies one for the obverse and one for the reverse are needed. Any combination of obverse and reverse dies is known as a die pair or a die combination. The third die, the collar die, is used to stamp the rim. On some modern dollars, the collar die has been struck twice, or upside down, or not at all, each time creating another die variety.
Sometimes, an engraver makes more than one obverse die (say, Die 1 and Die 2) and more than one reverse die (say, Die A and Die B). To make a coin, a press operator uses one of the obverse dies and one of the reverse dies, places them into a coining press, and begins stamping coins. During one day, the press operator may choose Die 1 with Die A, but the next day, it may be Die 1 with Die B, and so on. The more dies the engraver makes, the higher the number of possible combinations the press operator has.
In the early days of the U.S. Mint, engravers cut the designs into the dies by hand, meaning that each die had unique characteristics that separated it from all the others. Through careful study, collectors have identified most of the die pairs used to strike coins in the 1800s, especially in the early part of the century. Each unique die pair is known as a die variety. Collectors who seek to acquire a coin from each different die variety are known as variety collectors.
In the early days of the U.S. Mint, engravers cut the designs into the dies by hand, meaning that each die had unique characteristics that separated it from all the others. Through careful study, collectors have identified most of the die pairs used to strike coins in the 1800s, especially in the early part of the century. Each unique die pair is known as a die variety. Collectors who seek to acquire a coin from each different die variety are known as variety collectors.
Why the big fuss over variety collecting? Some varieties are extremely rare and valuable. Just a small difference between two die varieties can translate into a huge difference in price.
Here are some areas in which variety collecting has become particularly strong:
Colonial coins: Rabid variety collectors can be found searching just about every colonial series, but the ones who really froth at the mouth focus on the New Jersey coppers, Connecticut coppers, and Vermont coppers. Less intense collectors work with Massachusetts half cents and cents, Nova Constellatio coppers, Voce Populi coppers, and other series. If you're interested in this area, check out the Colonial Coin Collectors Club.
Half cents: Half cents were made from 1793 to 1857, and there are roughly 100 varieties (if you don't count the rare dates in the 1840s that were made only for collectors). Some of the best people in the world collect half cents and large cents we encourage you to meet some of them! If you're interested in this area, check out the Early American Coppers Club.
Large cents: The community of collectors for large cents is even larger than that of half-cent collectors. Large cents present a greater challenge for you as a variety collector, because you can find literally hundreds of different varieties, some of them quite rare and valuable. If you're interested in this area, check out the Early American Coppers Club .
Half dollars: The name of their club says it all these folks have gone nuts for half-dollar varieties. If you're interested in this area, check out the Bust Half Nut Club (www.busthalfprices.com/bhnc.php).
Silver dollars: The high cost of early silver dollars requires deep pockets if you want to collect them by die variety, but if you have the money, go for it! If you're interested in this area, check out the John Reich Collectors Society (www.logan.com/jrcs/).
Collectors have scrutinized just about every U.S. series for die varieties, and each series has its proponents. The key to success and happiness is finding a series that you enjoy. You may want to settle into a series that has been fully explored or venture into uncharted waters, do the research, and discover the next new variety on your own.
Many more opportunities exist for the collector looking for a little excitement. If nothing else, we hope this chapter encourages you to explore new and different ways of collecting. Let your collection mirror who you are, whether you're mild or wild! Remember: The entire point of collecting anything is to enjoy the process and the end results.
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