US Variety Coin Guide 2024

By Stan McDonald

Presented in this guide are coin variety values from realized auctions collected for the last 14 years, along with our error coin guides. The information in this guide is based on 60 years of collecting experience, associations with numismatic organizations, and extensive research.

There are some coin varieties that have significant value and others that have little or no added value. The number minted and type of variation contribute to the value of the coin, but most variations have no validated mintages, so collectors must rely on commonality and availability to determine the rarity.

A variety coin is deemed to be a coin minted using different dies, altered dies, or a damaged die. Variations occur when an alternate die with different details is used accidentally or intentionally. Mint workers can create varieties by altering the details on a die. A die can become damaged, and if it produces coins with the exact same flaw, a variety is created.

The 1960 small and large dated Lincoln cents are an example of an intentional variety designed to correct a minting issue. The small date was changed to a large date in 1960 because of a die chip issue with the smaller numbers 1]. The small dates are an example of a common variation with unknown mintages.

Unintentional varieties like the two feather buffalo nickels were created by accident by die polishing.
A damaged die that is used for successive mintages like the speared bison 2005 nickel creates varieties.

1] US Mint

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0C5P365J5
• ISBN13: 9798395448071
• Release Date: May 2023
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 156 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"