Variety vs. Mint Error (What is the difference?)
If you have been around error collecting awhile then you might have heard or been part the "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 released 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, or during the creation of the dies, and even incorrect planchets. (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, authorized or not. At first, most of these are proclaimed a mint error until the mint releases a statement on how or why the design was modified, or an expert proclaims from research what might have happened, as is 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 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 during the creation of the working die, 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, but it's actually a mint error.
The same can be said for Morgan Dollar VAM's 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 if an error becomes a variety, or an mint error remains an error.
Furthermore, there's 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 in most cases.
Another, related and even more controversial subject, is machine damage (MD) or coins struck from worn out or over-used dies. Lincoln Cents come to mind when experts talk of MD, and with 100+ years of production and the ease of getting rolls or bags to search, plus mintages in excess of billions, it's no wonder so many MD cents are to be found. However, these MD coins are still more rare than the total mintage for any given year and mint mark.
The high end mint error collectors and dealers scowl at examples of strike doubling, grease filled dies, over-polished dies, etc. However, many famous and valuable coins where the result of such "damage" i.e. 1922 No D Wheat Cents, 1937-D 3 Leg Buffalo Nickel, just to name a couple examples. Of course, the aforementioned varieties, are rare and were aided by publicity that accumulated in a huge demand for these particular examples, history will tell if other MD examples will raise in value or gain the respect they deserve.
So, whatever you call them, varieties, mint errors, or machine damage, they will always excite collectors and enhance the value and enjoyment of coin collecting in their search for valuable errors.
Learn more about mint errors and what's not a mint error below.
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