Variety Vs. Mint Error-U.S. Coin

Variety vs. Mint Error (What is the difference?)

by Daniel Malone May,03 2008

If you have been around error collecting awhile then you might have heard or been part a "Is it a mint error or variety?" debate. This debate might never be satisfied for all parties involved, but for those who aren't aware of the debate, or weren't aware there was a difference between varieties and errors, I will highlight a couple points on the subject.

Mint error coins are just that, any coin from the mint that has

an error in the design or planchet. In other words, an accidental

occurrence where a coin obtains damage or alteration from either a

die striking the surface of the planchet or during the process of

preparing a planchet to be struck. Remember 'accident', because

this is a key word here.

A variety is any coin were it's design was modified or changed

purposely at the mint and by mint employees. At first, most of

these are proclaimed a mint error until the mint releases a state-

ment on how or why the design was modified, or an expert

proclaims from research what might have happened as it's

done with early coinage.

A perfect example of this is the Wisconsin "Extra Leaf" Quarter

variety, as it was first called a mint error. In essence, it is a mint

error, but made by a mint employee without formal authorization. However, since the die was cut on purpose and at a U.S. Mint Facility, and the mint verified the occurrence, it's now considered a variety.

Of course, there are always exceptions to any rule, and the 1955 Double Die, Lincoln Memorial. The doubling of the coin's features occurred because the die was cut that way, then it struck several coins before being replaced. It might have been on purpose, but it could have been an accident. Who knows positively? However, the coin is listed as a variety because of its popularity and value.

The same can be said for Morgan Dollar VAMS varieties, or Half Cent Cohen varieties, or Indian Cent Breen varieties, etc. All known varieties, for all denominations, were the result of a either damaged die, altered die (re-cut), foreign object on the surface of the die, or any combination of the three. It's all left for history to say when an error becomes a variety, or an mint error remains an error.

However, there are accidental mint errors that can occur for any denomination i.e. die clashes, repunched mint marks (RPM), off-center strikes, and clipped planchets just to name a few, and these examples will always be mint errors. But whatever you call them, varieties or mint errors, they will always excite collectors and enhance the value and enjoyment of coin collecting in general.