1981 three and a half claw 20

[trout]

Learn to recognise the obverse, as it's very distinctive and looks different from the obverse of other 20 cents from that era.

I agree, the eyebrows are totaly diferant on the Canadian coin :good:
You don't have to look at the reverse and strain your eyes to pick this coin out:yahoo:

[AaronG]

They have become harder to find even in circulated condition from what i've been getting, anyone else recognized the same?

[drakesterling]

I know a group of 1981 Canadas sold for a surprising premium over face in a Roxbury's sale a few months ago. They were very circulated, so someone out there must agree with you.

I haven't been specifically looking for them, but they have always turned up in change from time to time.

[AaronG]

Seems weird because only last year I was getting them left right as centre, not this year though

[interest]

Has anyone got a bunch of 1981 31/2 claws that could do a little experiment for me?
I think I may have found another difference with the Canadian coin.
But I need a few more just to be sure.
Any help would be appreciated.

[Fulvio]

Has anyone got a bunch of 1981 31/2 claws that could do a little experiment for me?

Hundreds.. do tell?

[SULLA]

I can assist here also.

[interest]

THIS IS NOT A 3 1/2 CLAW!! It just shows the line,

See that line which is just above the claws, & just to the left of the 2, that forms part of the platypus body,
Can you see any difference between the Canadian 3 1/2claw?
& the other two the Wales & RAM coins?
If so what?

[trout]

The Canadian minted coin is easy to define.
But not on the reverse, the obverse has a more definitive eyebrow :ok:

[interest]

The Canadian minted coin is easy to define.
But not on the reverse, the obverse has a more definitive eyebrow :ok:

Yeah I know that, I just think that maybe this might be something extra.
Just like to see what Fulvio & Sulla have to say.

[Fulvio]

Can you see any difference between the Canadian 3 1/2claw?

Naturally, I have no 81's that aren't 3-1/2 claws, so I can't actually compare right now.

However...

Comparing to some other years, 2007, 2008, 2010... they all have a rounded body, which sort of flows into the field.

The 1981's, at least the variety, all have a hard, sharp line, like in your pic, but not extending all the way to the wave crests. In fact, on the better examples, it looks like a piece of the body is missing.. so its a half line.

These UNC 1982's on the other hand, also have the hard line, but it is complete, extending from one wave crest to the other.

Next step will be seeing when the design was changed I guess.

[interest]

Fulvio wrote,
"The 1981's, at least the variety, all have a hard, sharp line, like in your pic, but not extending all the way to the wave crests. In fact, on the better examples, it looks like a piece of the body is missing.. so its a half line."

That's what I wanted to hear.

It is only the 1981 3 1/2 that has this particular half line.
I don't think it's die fill as all my 3 1/2 are the same & it sounds like all yours are the same.

Could anybody else with 3 1/2's check theirs as well,
it would be good to get as many confirmations as possible.

In fact that  hard, sharp line no longer exists on the twenty cent it stopped in 2000 when it became the rounded body which flows into the field.

Can you see any difference between the Canadian 3 1/2claw?

Naturally, I have no 81's that aren't 3-1/2 claws, so I can't actually compare right now.

However...

Comparing to some other years, 2007, 2008, 2010... they all have a rounded body, which sort of flows into the field.

The 1981's, at least the variety, all have a hard, sharp line, like in your pic, but not extending all the way to the wave crests. In fact, on the better examples, it looks like a piece of the body is missing.. so its a half line.

These UNC 1982's on the other hand, also have the hard line, but it is complete, extending from one wave crest to the other.

Next step will be seeing when the design was changed I guess.

Thanks Fulvio

[Fulvio]

In fact that  hard, sharp line no longer exists on the twenty cent it stopped in 2000 when it became the rounded body which flows into the field.

Isn't it funny how we stare at millions of coins day in and day out, many of us looking for tiny errors at huge magnifications... and yet deliberate design changes slip by virtually unnoticed?

Thank you for bringing this up, mate.

[runway]

Very good thread this one I have enjoyed it so far with the interesting comments and pics.
I like your work interest and gregk for starting this.

[interest]

In fact that  hard, sharp line no longer exists on the twenty cent it stopped in 2000 when it became the rounded body which flows into the field.

Isn't it funny how we stare at millions of coins day in and day out, many of us looking for tiny errors at huge magnifications... and yet deliberate design changes slip by virtually unnoticed?

Thank you for bringing this up, mate.

That's okay.
But having said that, I am more excited regarding the shortened
"hard sharp line" on the Canadian 3 1/2 claws.
Of all the pages & pages written about the 3 1/2 claws, this seemed to have been missed.
I have read everything I could find on the 3 1/2 claws & have not found this to be mentioned anywhere.
 All of the 1981 coins I have pulled out of rolls & circulation
(the RAM, the Royal Canadian Mint & the Royal Mint.)
The Canadian mint is the only one with the shortened line.
But I would still like for as many people to check theirs for feedback
1981 Canadian 3 1/2 Claw left, 1981 RAM right

Very good thread this one I have enjoyed it so far with the interesting comments and pics.
I like your work interest and gregk for starting this.

Thanks runway, do you have any you could check?