2004 Pennies

[Master Jmd]

Okay, I'm not sure if I am posting this is the correct place, but anyway... Yesterday night I picked up two 2004 pennies and decided to examine them. The first one had perfect lettering (image linky), but the second one had curved lettering (Image Linky 2). If you are unsure what I mean look at the bottoms of the letters to see where it curves inwards into the 'stem' of the letters.

Any ideas?

Edit: I haven't looked at any other dates yet, but out of eight 2004 pennies that I could find, two of them had curved letters (image 2).

Edited December 28, 2005 by Master Jmd

[kuhli]

Any ideas?

Could it be simply die deterioration/wear??

[Master Jmd]

I thought of that at first, but seeing as they are both in great condition (the one with perfect lettering bearing more marks than the other) I don't see how this would be.

Further examining of both coins I can see that the curving (image 2) has "ELIZABETH II D G R (of REG)" being effected with "EG (of REG)" not effected then "F D" effected, and the date with no effect. The obverse being unneffected on both coins.

Looking at other dates (from the few that I have here) I have one curved 2003, two curved 2002, and one perfect 2001.

Silly suggestion(?): Could it be that the mint changed the lettering design in 2002, but then decided to change it back to how it was after some 2004 pennies had been minted?

The only 2005 penny I could find has perfect lettering.

Edit: Just looked some more, the 1998, 99 and 00 pennies I have also have perfect lettering.

Edited December 28, 2005 by Master Jmd

[Rob]

I would suggest it's probably letter punches purchased from two separate sources. If you look at the widow head half crowns (Davies 660-674), some have a flat base and some have an indented base at the same point as those on the coins above. I don't think it would add significant value.