1863 colons

[zookeeperz]

Morning all. Perusing as one does I picked up a coin from a toot box 1863 Penny. Noticed a few differences in the colons..The top colon after D: is missing completely the top colon after D. G: is a sideways oval shape and the bottom colon after F:D: D: is smaller than all the others. Any significance?

 

[zookeeperz]

[jelida]

23 minutes ago, zookeeperz said:

Any significance?

 

Some might consider these consequences of die fill and wear significant - the ONF penny being another example, or the 1897 dot - but they are unlikely to be the consequences of a human act on the die, and many would argue they are not therefore true varieties. Personally while of interest, I would not feel they demand a place in my collection. 

Some might say perhaps the colon was never fully punched. Indeed,  but requires a leap of faith as that could never be truly proved, and could only really be considered if uncirculated coins from otherwise unworn dies were available that showed no mark at all.

My view anyway.

Jerry

 

[secret santa]

I agree with Jerry. It's quite easy on worn coins to convince oneself that something is not as it should be, but collectibility is in the eye of the beholder although, as Jerry says, it is best to confirm genuine oddities on coins in EF or better condition (assuming one can find them - but if you can't, it probably means that they are not worth recording).

[Bronze & Copper Collector]

I can see a faint image of the upper colon dot after the D. Just very weak. Possibly a partially filled die.

Re: The different size colon dots, I've seen them before. Mostly on F-15 central cuts (which are rife with die repairs). Found on a few others too. Probably just a repair to the die.

We will never know for sure.

 

Edited November 10, 2017 by Bronze & Copper Collector