PCGS Registry

[Car10]

Does anyone know what criteria PCGS uses to determine which varieties get included in their various Registry set compositions and which ones do not? What makes a variety a "major variety" as opposed to just an "ordinary"(and therefore not included) variety? Anyone

[Dave Bowman]

PCGS did not elaborate on that question posed by myself a few months ago other than to say "send your coin(s) in" to find out. They also encouraged membership at PCGS.
I do not know what criteria they use, however, it is believed that they will slab abything as a variety that is listed in THE RED BOOK and THE CHERRY PICKER'S GUIDE. I believe this segment of the hobby to be growing rapidly as evidenced by the activity cronicled by the various media and the fact that there is so much more information available and accessible in recent years. An example would be the new issues of the CPG, vol's 1 and 2 with all of the new variety listings. With this growth, as it continues, will come new varieties. Which ones might be included in future issues of the CPG and which ones not is anybody's guess. I have seen nicer varieties listed in the CONECA files for a same date and mint as for the same date and mint listing in the CPG. The thing about the CPG is that it is a published book with photo's. That book creates the market for the coins in it to some extent. It is a unique publication in that way. Yes, there are other publications with pictures and they are gaining in popularity but they are somewhat more obscure and hard to get. There are simply too many varieties to be published in any one book made of paper. Fotunately, the computer age is apon us and we can now get a better picture (no pun intended) of the state of the variety industry, if you can call it that....enough rambling for now I suppose...

[Tim]

Car10,

If you check out PCGS's web site, you will see what they use for a criteria:

Variety Attribution: PCGS will attribute select varieties. PCGS guarantees all attributions through the Variety Program. To submit coins, verify particular coin is recognized under this program by referring to the list below. You may submit raw, regrade and crossover coins. Do not mix varieties with non-varieties on your form. Click here for frequently asked questions about the Variety Program. Turnaround time is not guaranteed but we will make every effort to return the order in the time specified.

Half Cents (1793-1857) by Cohen numbers
Large Cents (1793-1814) by Sheldon numbers
Large Cents (1816-1857) by Newcomb numbers
Half Dimes (1794-1837) by Logan/McCloskey numbers
Dimes (1796-1837) by John Reich Society numbers
Quarter Dollars (1796-1838) by Browning numbers
Half Dollars (1794-1836) by Overton numbers
Dollars (1794-1804) by Bolender and Bowers/Borckardt numbers
Morgan and Peace Dollars (1878-1935) by VAM numbers (limited numbers; see list)
Gold Quarter Eagles, Half Eagles and Eagles (1795-1834) by Bass/Dannreuther numbers
Fivaz-Stanton Varieties from the Cherrypickers Guide, Fourth Edition Vol. I and II (see list for exclusions)

Hope this helps.

[Car10]

Thanks Tim, I saw the list but I was trying to find out how they decide which varieties to recognize and which ones not to. I had sent them an email telling them that I had a 1988 Lincoln Cent with a RDV-006(reverse style of 1989) that was attributed by Dr. James Wiles of CONECA and graded by ICG as MS64RD and I was interested in crossing it over to PCGS. They replied stating that they do not currently recognize the variety. I was looking for what criteria they use in making their decision. Also kind of trying to instill some interest in the specific variety hoping that someday they will recognize it.

[Tim]

Car10,

It is my understand that "if" the variety is listed in Volume 1 or 2 of the Fourth Edition of the Cherrypickers' Guide then PCGS will recognize and attribute the variety with the following exceptions:

PCGS Exclusions from the Fourth edition of the Cherrypickers’ Guide,
Vol I and II
If the coin is recognized by the main reference for the series, e.g. VAM,
Overton, Browning number, it will not be listed by FS number.
The following Fivaz-Stanton numbers will not be recognized by PCGS:
Series FS Number Date Reason
Indian Cent FS-010.5 1888 Delisted
Lincoln Cent FS-034.1 1980-D Delisted
Lincoln Cent FS-033.1 1971-S Too minor
Buffalo Nickel FS-014.89 1914/3-S Unable to Verify
Mercury Dime FS-101 1937 Too Minor
Walking Lib. FS-101 1942 Master Die
Walking Lib. FS-101 1942-D Master Die
Walking Lib. FS-101 1942-S Master Die
Walking Lib. FS-101 1943 Master Die
Walking Lib. FS-101 1943-D Master Die
Walking Lib. FS-101 1943-S Master Die
Morgan Dollar FS-004 1896-O Counterfeit
Morgan Dollar FS-005 1900-O Counterfeit
Morgan Dollar FS-003 1902-O Counterfeit
SBA Dollar FS-501 1980-S Unable to Verify

[Car10]

Thanks again tim.

[Tim]

Car10,

Reference the 1988 Lincoln Cent with a RDV-006(reverse style of 1989), the first hurdle would be to get it into the Cherrypickers’ Guide. It is my understanding that J.T. Stanton is working on the “Fifth Edition” now, so email him and ask about it. It couldn’t hurt.

[Car10]

Does anyone have contact information for J.T Stanton?

[Car10]

That was a great idea Tim, Thanks!

I found an address of JT@stantonbooks.com.

The email has been sent.
Now... Jeff, John and Steven keep your fingers crossed.

[AgCollector]

That was a great idea Tim, Thanks!

I found an address of JT@stantonbooks.com.

The email has been sent.
Now... Jeff, John and Steven keep your fingers crossed.

Will do! Although I wonder how'll they'll list these as well as the 1998/1999/2000 wide AMs and 1992/1992D close AMs since they're not doubled dies...

[Car10]

It is a "Die Variety"
and should be listed as such in "Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins" . A rare variety.
By the way, if you haven't noticed, one of these has been offered for sale in an auction on EBAY.
1988 Lincoln Cent RDV-006 Reverse of 1989 Wide AM
Cousin to the 1992 and 1992-D close AM Item number: 230193581276

[wavysteps]

The 1998, 1999 and the 2000 Wide AM or Type II reverse Lincoln cents should not be confused with the 1992 and 1992-D Lincoln cent with closed AM. The 1998, 1999 and 2000 are not per say "transitional" dies since their reverses do occur as the proofs in the same year or RDV-006.

The 1992 and 1992-D are true transitional coins for they should have had RDV-006 reverses instead of the next years RDV-007 reverse.

This holds true for the 1988 and 1988-D Lincoln cents that have the RDV-006 reverse instead of the RDV-005 reverse. These are also true transitional coins.

The use of proof reverses on business strikes is not new and it has happened before. An example is the Washington quarters with the type "B" reverse, which is a proof reverse that was used on the Washington quarter from 1956 to 1964.

There was also the Type "C" reverse on the 1964-D Washington quarter with a reverse that was started in 1965.

So, as you can see, the mixing of reverse dies to obverse dies in proper sequence is not unique to just the 1992-D, 1992, 1988 and 1988-D Lincoln cents. We can also say the same for using proof reverse dies for business strikes.

BJ Neff

[Car10]

The 1992 and 1992-D are true transitional coins for they should have had RDV-007 reverses instead of the previous years RDV-006 reverse.


BJ Neff

BJ, To aviod confusion I should clarify. I believe the transitional coins have the RDV-007(close AM) while they should have had the RDV-006(wide AM) in 1992. The RDV-007 first saw widespread use in 1993.

[wavysteps]

Thanks for pointing that out and you are correct. Made the correction to my above post.

BJ Neff

[AgCollector]

The 1998, 1999 and the 2000 Wide AM or Type II reverse Lincoln cents should not be confused with the 1992 and 1992-D Lincoln cent with closed AM. The 1998, 1999 and 2000 are not per say "transitional" dies since their reverses do occur as the proofs in the same year or RDV-006.

The 1992 and 1992-D are true transitional coins for they should have had RDV-006 reverses instead of the next years RDV-007 reverse.

This holds true for the 1988 and 1988-D Lincoln cents that have the RDV-006 reverse instead of the RDV-005 reverse. These are also true transitional coins.

The use of proof reverses on business strikes is not new and it has happened before. An example is the Washington quarters with the type "B" reverse, which is a proof reverse that was used on the Washington quarter from 1956 to 1964.

There was also the Type "C" reverse on the 1964-D Washington quarter with a reverse that was started in 1965.

So, as you can see, the mixing of reverse dies to obverse dies in proper sequence is not unique to just the 1992-D, 1992, 1988 and 1988-D Lincoln cents. We can also say the same for using proof reverse dies for business strikes.

BJ Neff

I haven't studied them enough (and don't own any late-date proof cents to compare to anyways) but according to Chuck Daughtrey's 2nd edition of Looking through Lincoln Cents, the 1998, 1999, 2000 Wide AM cents are not actually proof reverses but just left-over RDV-006 reverse dies from when they were used, 89-92. Is this still believed to be true?