What would the conversation be around a table with Mr Ian McConnelly & Mr Fred Lever?
I ask this because in the latest Coin & Banknote magazine.
Mr McConnelly writes in his article on Varierties, mainly Die cracks.
He writes & I quote "The varieties on this coin are all Die cracks & This is another simple variety, a die crack, on a 1952 issue." [/u]unquote.
(copied from the May issue of coin & banknote pages 22 & 23)
Now in Mr Fred Lever's article.
He writes & I quote,
"Again there are no errors in these lists only the common die variations by date. Errors such as die cracks & mistrikes are not die varieties & have no place in a variety list & should not be referred to as "varieties". unquote
(copied from the May issue of coin & banknote pages on pages 64 thru73)
Both articles are very well written & a pleasure to read as they are both informative & interesting.
But both men have a different view on what constitutes a variety.
Whilst two very learned men share such differing views on what a die crack is, what chance does a mere mortal like me have?
I'm just asking & not casting doubt on either gentleman.
My own view is that there are THREE different categories:
Varieties: Different versions of the same coin, eg: large/small dies, 3-1/2 claws, wavy 2's etc.
Errors: Cuds, cracks and other repeatable misstrikes.
Faults: One-off, individual errors, such as all planchet flaws, tilted collars, broadstrikes, etc.
So McConnelly is wrong.
It's all opinion. Fred has some cuds in his list of silver coins and not others. I wonder why he's decided on some and not others. Ian Mc has die cracks in his variety lists which is fine but I do not believe the list could ever be comprehensive and there's though given to the fact that some of his different varieties are the same die crack just further progressed.
I am sure Fred and Ian would have a lively discussion.
Quote from: 'interest' pid='13764' dateline='1367763360'Errors such as die cracks & mistrikes are not die varieties & have no place in a variety list & should not be referred to as "varieties".
I had a chuckle as I read that but I agree.
The early guides listed die cracks and other errors as varieties back in the day and I guess that definition has persisted somewhat.