Roosevelt Dimes - Die Variety Question?

[foundinrolls]

Hi All,

I don't want to give the date away but both these dimes are of the same date. They are both from the same Mint. They are AU/UNC. They are struck about the same.

It appears that there are two different styles of dies used for the reverses of these. The flames on the torch are different. The licks of the flame are shaped differently, The cuts along the right side of the flame are different.

It also appears that the lettering is different. The coin on the right has finer lettering. On the coin on the right, there is a separation between the A and M of AMERICA that is not present on the coin on the left. ( I have to get some pics of that set up)

Note the distance of the flame from the S. On the coin on the left, there is a normal groove on the lick of flame to the extreme right that does not appear on the coin on the right.

Can anyone elaborate on this? Might I have found a possible transitional reverse die for this series on this particular year which I do not want to divulge yet? :-)

Are there any known situations like this?

I still need to obtain a proof coin of this year to compare these reverses to a reverse used on a proof. Maybe a proof reverse?

I don't know, it's all conjecture at this point. By the way, it does not appear to be a die polishing issue or a die wear issue.

Thanks,
Bill


http://www.foundinrolls.com/images/cu/2dimes.jpg

[wavysteps]

Hi Bill - Very interesting and from the pictures, I can see the differences that are pointed out. Have you tried doing overlay pictures to confirm positional differences?

To be honest with you, I feel that there may be many more transitional pieces out there. Not only on the cent, but on other denominational coins as well.

Nice find Bill with great story potential.

BJ Neff

[JamesWiles]

Bill:
These could very well be different designs. Not much research as been done on the Roosevelt designs. I have some of the Obverse done (it is posted on VarietyVista). I do know that there is a different proof design for some 1968-S dimes and that this design was used for some 69, 70, and 70-D circulation strikes. Not sure how rare they are at this time. Would love to know what dates you have and maybe see your coins.

[foundinrolls]

Hi All,

I want to do some overlays as suggested. I also want to do a Found In Rolls column on it. I also want to obtain a proof version of the same date and see how it compares to both of these.

I dont want to give the date away yet until i get a chance to figure this thing out.

It is not recent, but is well beyond the 60s:-)

Sorry to be vague, but I recently missed one boat on a discovery and I don't want that to happen again:-)

I'm gonna get a few more pictures of these coins up today (I hope) so you can see some of the other differences.

Thanks,
Bill