| Slot: |
ALLEN-2.06a
1908-S/S |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY |
| Item Description: |
1C 1908 S/S USA-PHIL ALLEN-2.06a |
| Grade: |
PCGS MS 65 RB |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Lyman Allen #2.06a S/S (KM #163) – Mintage: 2,187,000 (variety mintages unknown)
Only the 1909-S has a lower mintage, yet this issue is relatively easy to find in a high state of preservation. It is the first centavo coin minted for circulation since 1905 and the first minted by the San Francisco mint (which probably accounts for the high availability). The varieties, however, are not as easy to come by and are even more difficult if high grade RD or RB. I consider myself very lucky to have been able to acquire this one.
It is interesting to note that although other silver denominations were minted by the San Francisco mint prior to 1908, no USA/Philippine minor coinage (cents or nickels) was produced there. No minor coinage could be produced at any of the branch mints until 1906 when the US Congress passed a bill specifically allowing it. The increased demand for minor coinage in the Western United Sates paved the way for the minting of Philippine centavos at the San Francisco Mint. This event also marked the end of centavo production in Philadelphia.
This coin is ALLEN-2.06a which is the over mint mark S/S. The initial S was placed too high and the second punch failed to completely cover it. Parts of the original “S” protrude above the second strike giving it the appearance of having horns. So much so, that it is commonly referred to as the “horned ‘S’ variety.” This variety is recognized by both NGC and PCGS and will be identified as such on their labels.
This coin is redder than many RD coins in my collection, and I have no idea why it is labeled as RB (perhaps the grader was feeling exceptionally conservative the day this coin came through?) It is also very well struck with the entire outline of the top of the underlying S visible. It is currently one of the two finest know examples of the ALLEN-2.06a variety. The other MS65RB was graded by NGC.
Allen Varieties
ALLEN-2.06 - Normal date and mint mark.
ALLEN-2.06a - Over mint mark S/S. (This coin) This variety is recognized by NGC and PCGS.
ALLEN-2.06b - Over mint mark S/S/S & RPD - Even more dramatic than ALLEN-2.06a, the mint mark was triple punched (both high and low) and the first 2 digits of the date are doubled. This variety is recognized by NGC and PCGS.
Date acquired: 10/07/2012 (already graded by PCGS)
Rev. 2/28/2018
|
| Slot: |
ALLEN-2.06b
1908-S/S/S |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY |
| Item Description: |
1C 1908/1908 S/S/S USA-PHIL ALLEN-2.06b |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 62 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Lyman Allen #2.06b S/S/S (KM #163) – Mintage: 2,187,000 (variety mintages unknown)
Only the 1909-S has a lower mintage, yet this issue is relatively easy to find in a high state of preservation. It is the first centavo coin minted for circulation since 1905 and the first minted by the San Francisco mint (which probably accounts for the high availability). The varieties, however, are not as easy to come by and are even more difficult if high grade RD or RB. I consider myself very lucky to have been able to acquire this one.
It is interesting to note that although other silver denominations were minted by the San Francisco mint prior to 1908, no USA/Philippine minor coinage (cents or nickels) was produced there. No minor coinage could be produced at any of the branch mints until 1906 when the US Congress passed a bill specifically allowing it. The increased demand for minor coinage in the Western United Sates paved the way for the minting of Philippine centavos at the San Francisco Mint. This event also marked the end of centavo production in Philadelphia.
This coin is ALLEN-2.06b which is the over mint mark S/S/S. One S was placed too high, one too low, and the final one in the middle. This variety is recognized by both NGC and PCGS and will be identified as such on their labels.
Allen Varieties
ALLEN-2.06 - Normal date and mint mark.
ALLEN-2.06a - Over mint mark S/S. This variety is recognized by NGC and PCGS.
ALLEN-2.06b - Over mint mark S/S/S & RPD (This coin) - Even more dramatic than ALLEN-2.06a, the mint mark was triple punched (both high and low) and the first 2 digits of the date are doubled. This variety is recognized by NGC and PCGS.
Date acquired: 3/9/2014 (already graded by NGC)
Rev. 2/28/2018
|
| Slot: |
ALLEN-2.07a
1909-S DDO |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY |
| Item Description: |
1C 1909 S DDR USA-PHIL ALLEN-2.07a |
| Grade: |
PCGS AU 58 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Lyman Allen #2.07a (KM #163) – Mintage 1,737,612 (variety mintage unknown)
This variety can be identified by the subtle doubling of the tops of the letters in "UNITED" to the left of the eagle. On this example, the doubling is most notable on the tops of the letters N and I in UNITED. It is very rare and this is the first one I've seen in 10 years of collecting the US Philippine series.
It is interesting to note that Lyman Allen designated this as a Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) since he considered the date side of the coin to be the obverse. PCGS and NGC on the other hand, consider the figure side of the coin to be the obverse and mount the coins in their respecive holders accordingly. Confusingly, PCGS still labeled the coin using Allen's DDO designation rather than changing it to DDR.
Based on Clarence Ransom Edwards report of 1903, where he describes the obverse as the figure side and reverse as the eagle and shield side, I am posting this coin as recognized by NGC and PCGS.
Varieties:
------------
ALLEN-2.07a - DDR (Allen DDO) - Identified by the subtle doubling of the tops of the letters in "UNITED" to the left of the eagle. This variety is not recognized by NGC but obviously is by PCGS.
Date acquired: 10/25/2013 (already graded by PCGS)
Rev. 12/18/2015
|
| Slot: |
ALLEN-2.09a
1911-S/S |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY |
| Item Description: |
1C 1911 S/S USA-PHIL ALLEN-2.09a |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 65 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Lyman Allen #2.09a (KM #163) - Mintage: 4,803,000
This issue is fairly common, but the S/S variety is quite rare, especially in a high grade and with such well defined doubling of the mint mark. I've seen many with what appears to be a filled upper loop in the S, but this is the only one I've seen with "horns" on the top of the S.
This particular coin is poorly struck, and exhibits the wood grain planchet effect which is very typical of San Francisco mint bronze coins of this era. The streaking is most obvious on the reverse and runs diagonally through the top left quadrant. The alloy of the planchet was not well mixed which is what produces the streaks when the planchets are produced. The lighter portions may be a harder metal and thus do not flow as readily into the deeper parts of the die, or the planchet may just be thinner in these areas. On the obverse, the letter C in CENTAVOS and the letters FIL in FILIPINAS are poorly struck. On the reverse, the letters TED STA in UNITED STATES and the tip of the eagle's right wing are very poorly struck. Otherwise, the strike is fairly typical for this issue.
I purchased this coin raw on eBay in 2005 as a normal date/mint mark coin and was very pleased to find that it was actually the S/S variety once I received it. I waited 12 years before having it graded, but I'm very pleased with the outcome. To my knowledge, this is the finest example graded by NGC and PCGS has graded only one finer at MS66BN.
NGC has used this coin for the closeup variety photos on the 1911 S/S USA-PHIL 1C ALLEN-2.09a Variety Plus web page.
Allen Varieties
ALLEN-2.09 - Normal Date.
ALLEN-2.09a - S/S - At least two distinct over mint mark varieties exist. This is the more obvious of the two and appears to have a horned S similar to the 1908 S/S. In the second, the under mint mark appears to the right of the dominant block S and the "1" in the date appears doubled to the left at the top. The S/S variety is recognized by both NGC and PCGS.
Date acquired: 7/23/2005 (raw coin)
Date graded: 10/12/2017 (self-submitted to NGC)
Rev. 12/2/2023
|
| Slot: |
ALLEN-2.13a
1915-S/S |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY |
| Item Description: |
1C 1915 S/S USA-PHIL ALLEN-2.13a |
| Grade: |
NGC AU 58 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Lyman Allen #2.13a (KM #163) - 1915 S/S (RPM) Mintage: 2,500,000 (Variety Mintage Unknown)
Given the mintage, it is unclear why the 1915-S is one of the keys to the One Centavo series. None of my reference material provides any explanation as to the low extant population. It is difficult to find in any grade and exceptionally difficult to find a reasonably priced example that has graded AU or above. The 1908S, with a slightly lower mintage is relatively plentiful by comparison. Full red mint state examples seem to be non-existent, and red-brown examples are exceptionally rare. Certified examples graded MS60 and above are predominately brown. It addition to the general rarity of this issue, this particular coin carries a double "S" mint mark making even more rare.
This particular coin is an excellent example of the very rare S/S variety for this date. Even though it is not uncirculated, it is a very attractive coin. It exhibits a good strike, light overall even wear, very even brown toning with hints of luster underneath, and no distracting marks or scratches. This specific coin is both the plate coin for the NGC Variety Plus web page and the for the 1915-S One Centavo web page in the NGC Coin Explorer.
Varieties:
-------------
ALLEN-2.13a - S/S (This Coin) This variety was added in the 2012 7th Edition of the U.S./Philippine Coins by Lyman L. Allen, Updated and Edited by Tom Culhane. This variety is recognized by both NGC and PCGS.
Date acquired: 5/16/2011 (already graded by PCGS)
Date graded: 1/14/2013 (crossed to NGC)
Date attributed: 9/28/2016 (resubmitted to NGC)
Rev. 1/19/2023
|
| Slot: |
ALLEN-2.15a
1917/6-S |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY |
| Item Description: |
1C 1917/1916 S USA-PHIL ALLEN-2.15a |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 62 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Lyman Allen #2.15a (KM #163) - Mintage: 7,070,000
The normal 1917-S is not too difficult to find in uncirculated grades, but high grade RD and RB examples are rare. High grade varieties of any color are very difficult to locate.
This coin was acquired raw and I had no expectation that it was a mint state coin when I won it on eBay. It was actually sold as an Allen-2.15c in Fine condition. The variety was wrong and the condition was way off. It is a very poorly struck coin and the high point detail on both sides is very flat. To those unfamiliar with these coin, that flat strike can easily be mistaken for wear. On top of the poor strike, the reverse die was deteriorating rapidly when this coins was struck. There are very visible die cracks between the N and I in UNITED, the first T in STATES extending to the dentcles, connecting the tops of the T and E in STATES, the top the O in OF, and connecting the F in OF to the eagle's wing tip. Not a lot of eye appeal to this coin, but it is a nice mint state example of this rare variety.
Varieties
2.15a - 1917/16 over date in which the 6 is easily discernible under the final 7. This variety is recognized by both PCGS and NGC.
2.15c - 1917/18 over date in which the 8 is easily discernible under the final 7. This variety is recognized by both NGC and PCGS.
Closed 9 - This variety is yet to be cataloged. The bottom of the 9 appears to be closed (like an 8) due to a die break. I have one of these, but have never seen or heard of another, so I am assuming that it is pretty rare.
Date acquired: 5/10/2015 (raw coin)
Date graded: 8/4/2022 (self submitted to NGC)
Rev. 8/13/2022
|
| Slot: |
ALLEN-2.15c
1917/8-S |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY |
| Item Description: |
1C 1917/1918 S USA-PHIL ALLEN-2.15c |
| Grade: |
NGC AU 55 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Lyman Allen #2.15c (KM #163) - Mintage: 7,070,000
This coin was acquired in an ANACS slab already attributed as the 1917/18-S variety with an additional designation on the label that read "plate coin." I believe that this designation indicated that it was the coin pictured in the Allen catalog "U.S./Philippine Coins." I have some regret over losing that designation by submitting to NGC for crossover. The good news though is that it will again be the plate coin in the 8th edition of the book.
Varieties
2.15a - 1917/16 over date in which the 6 is easily discernible under the final 7. This variety is recognized by both PCGS and NGC.
2.15c - 1917/18 over date in which the 8 is easily discernible under the final 7. This variety is recognized by both NGC and PCGS.
Closed 9 - This variety is yet to be cataloged. The bottom of the 9 appears to be closed (like an 8) due to a die break. I have one of these, but have never seen or heard of another, so I am assuming that it is pretty rare.
Date acquired: 2/6/2014 (already graded by ANACS)
Date Crossed: 9/28/2016 (self submitted to NGC)
Rev. 12/4/2020
|
| Slot: |
ALLEN-2.15c
1917/8-S |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY |
| Item Description: |
1C 1917/1918 S USA-PHIL ALLEN-2.15c |
| Grade: |
NGC AU Details |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Lyman Allen #2.15c (KM #163) - Mintage: 7,070,000
The normal 1917-S is not too difficult to find in uncirculated grades, but high grade RD and RB examples are rare. High grade varieties of any color are very difficult to locate.
This coin was acquired raw. It's nothing stellar, but it is a certified A-2.15c variety.
Varieties
2.15a - 1917/16 over date in which the 6 is easily discernible under the final 7. This variety is recognized by both PCGS and NGC.
2.15c - 1917/18 over date in which the 8 is easily discernible under the final 7. This variety is recognized by both NGC and PCGS.
Closed 9 - This variety is yet to be cataloged. The bottom of the 9 appears to be closed (like an 8) due to a die break. I have one of these, but have never seen or heard of another, so I am assuming that it is pretty rare.
Date acquired: 8/13/2013 (raw coin)
Date graded: 8/4/2022 (self submitted to NGC)
Rev. 8/13/2022
|
| Slot: |
ALLEN-2.16a
1918-S Large-S |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY |
| Item Description: |
1C 1918 S USA-PHIL LARGE S ALLEN-2.16a |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 62 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Lyman Allen #2.16a (KM #163) - Total Mintage: 11,660,000 ("Large S" Variety mintage unknown)
Depending on the source, there may be as many as 68 distinct varieties for all of the various dates in the US Philippines One Centavo series. The 1918 Large "S" variety is however the most well known and well documented. It is also the only variety deemed significant enough to be specifically included in the NGC One Centavo Registry set definition.
The normal mint mark on these coins is between 1.2 and 1.3 millimeters tall and is centered between the dot and the rim. The "S" on the Large "S" variety is 2.0 millimeters tall and based on the size and shape, appears to have been produced using the punch intended for the Fifty Centavo pieces of the same year. A 1918 S Medium "S" variety with a mint mark measuring 1.5 millimeters in height is also known to exist as well as a Small "S" variety of unknown height.
This particular coin is dark brown Mint State example of this rare variety.
Varieties
------------
ALLEN-2.16a - Large "S"
Medium "S," as yet uncataloged. The "S" mint mark measures 1.5 millimeters in height.
Small "S," as yet uncataloged. The mint mark size is unknown, but noticeably smaller than the normal "S."
Date acquired: 5/25/2021 (already graded by NGC)
Rev. 5/25/2021
|
| Slot: |
ALLEN-2.16a
1918-S Large-S |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY |
| Item Description: |
1C 1918 S USA-PHIL LARGE S ALLEN-2.16a |
| Grade: |
NGC AU 58 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Lyman Allen #2.16a (KM #163) - Total Mintage: 11,660,000 ("Large S" Variety mintage unknown)
Depending on the source, there may be as many as 68 distinct varieties for all of the various dates in the US Philippines One Centavo series. The 1918 Large "S" variety is however the most well known and well documented. It is also the only variety deemed significant enough to be specifically included in the NGC Registry set definition.
The normal mint mark on these coins is between 1.2 and 1.3 millimeters tall and is centered between the dot and the rim. The "S" on the Large "S" variety is 2.0 millimeters tall and based on the size and shape, appears to have been produced using the punch intended for the Fifty Centavo pieces of the same year. A 1918 S Medium "S" variety with a mint mark measuring 1.5 millimeters in height is also known to exist as well as a Small "S" variety of unknown height.
This particular coin is dark brown with hints of red and orange and is a high grade AU example of this rare variety.
Varieties
------------
ALLEN-2.16a - Large "S"
Medium "S," as yet uncataloged. The "S" mint mark measures 1.5 millimeters in height.
Small "S," as yet uncataloged. The mint mark size is unknown, but noticeably smaller than the normal "S."
Date acquired: 3/05/2005 (raw coin)
Date graded: 12/3/2010 (self submitted to NGC)
Rev. 12/9/2015
|
| Slot: |
ALLEN-2.27b
1930-M RPD (0) |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY |
| Item Description: |
1C 1930 M USA-PHIL Recut "0" ALLEN-2.27b |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 65 RB |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Lyman Allen #2.27b (KM #163) - Mintage 5,577,000 (Variety mintage unknown)
This coin represents the RPD or Recut "0" Variety. A remnant of the underlying zero can be seen inside the top loop. High grade examples of the date are fairly common, but full red specimens are rare.
It is reasonably well stuck for a Manila mint issue. There is excellent definition of the hair and facial features on the obverse, but the fingers of the right hand are poorly defined. On the reverse, the left side of the shied is well defined, but the eagle is lacking breast feather definition.
Varieties
------------
ALLEN-2.27 - Normal date and mint mark.
ALLEN-2.27a - M/M over mint mark. This variety is not recognized by either NGC or PCGS.
ALLEN-2.27b - RPD or Recut "0" variety which can be identified by looking at the upper, inner loop of the "0" in the date.
Date acquired: 4/4/2008 (already graded by NGC)
Rev. 5/21/2020
|
| Slot: |
ALLEN-2.30a
1933-M RPD 9/9 |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY |
| Item Description: |
1C 1933 9/9 M USA-PHIL ALLEN-2.30a |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 RB |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Lyman Allen #2.30a (KM #163) - Mintage: 8,392,692
The one centavo was the only denomination struck at the Manila mint in 1933, which may account for the large number of well struck full red and red brown examples that are still available today.
This particular coin exhibits an average strike and high point detail for this date. The color is a nice red brown. I acquired it in an ANACS slab graded MS62RB already attributed as the Allen variety. Crossed to NGC with an upgrade!
Varieties
------------
ALLEN-2.30a - Repunched Date (RP9). - This coin
Date acquired: 9/7/2008 (Already graded MS62RB by ANACS)
Date crossed: 9/22/2016 (self submitted to NGC )
Rev 9/28/2016
|
| Slot: |
ALLEN-3.02a
1938-M RPD (1) |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY |
| Item Description: |
1C 1938/1938 M USA-PHIL ALLEN-3.02a |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 65 RB |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Lyman Allen #3.02a (KM #179) - Total Mintage: 10,000,000 (Variety mintage unknown)
This coin is noteworthy for so many reasons. 1938 is the first year for the final version of the "M" Manila mint mark. The straight sided M of 1937 did not strike up well and was revised in 1938 to appear as an inverted "W". This particular coin exhibits a typical weak strike for the Manila mint, but the date is well struck and exhibits a very boldly doubled "1" which is definitive of the variety Allen-3.02a. This is the first of this variety to so designated on the label by NGC.
Varieties:
------------
ALLEN-3.02 - Normal date and mint mark.
ALLEN-3.02a - Strongly doubled "1" in the date.
Date acquired: 6/24/2007 (raw coin)
Date graded: 7/8/2021 (self submitted to NGC)
Rev. 8/13/2021
|
| Slot: |
ALLEN-3.02a
1938-M RPD (1) |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY |
| Item Description: |
1C 1938 M USA-PHIL Repunched 1 in date ALLEN-3.02a |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 66 RB |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Lyman Allen #3.02a (KM #179) - Total Mintage: 10,000,000 (Variety mintage unknown)
This coin is noteworthy for so many reasons. 1938 is the first year for the final version of the "M" Manila mint mark. The straight sided M of 1937 did not strike up well and was revised in 1938 to appear as an inverted "W". This particular coin is exceptionally well struck and also exhibits a very boldly doubled "1" in the date which should have been designated as Allen-3.02a on the label. Unfortunately, NGC does not currently recognize this Allen variety and consequently did not identify it as such when the coin was graded.
The vast majority of Commonwealth reverse Centavos minted in Manila are very weakly struck, so it is rare that the banner containing the phrase "Republic of the Philippines" is fully struck. The word "of" on the highest point is almost never present and quite often, the entire left side of the banner is virtually blank. Every word on the banner of this coin is fully stuck and clearly readable. The obverse of this coin is equally well struck. Most notable are the fingers on the man's right hand, followed by his hair, ear, eyes, nose and the toes on his right foot. The only other coins I've seen showing this much obverse detail and definition have been proof coins. It is unfortunate that this quality of reverse strike does not receive the same recognition as Full Head( FH) Standing Liberty quarters or for Full Bell Line(FBL) Franklin Halves. It would be nice if the grading services would add a "Full Banner" (FB) designation for coins bearing the Commonwealth reverse or a "Full Right Hand" (FRH) for the common obverse.
This is the finest struck commonwealth coin I have ever seen with the possible exception of a couple of commemorative coins struck in 1936. There are only two others graded MS66RB and one coin finer in MS66RD but I doubt if any of them are as well struck as this one.
Varieties:
------------
ALLEN-3.02 - Normal date and mint mark.
ALLEN-3.02a - Strongly doubled "1" in the date.
Date acquired: 10/04/2009 (raw coin)
Date graded: 9/26/2012 (self submitted, encapsulated in the NGC Scratch Resistant Holder)
Date regraded: 9/25/2018 ( resubmitted to MS at NGC. MS65RB ==> MS66RB)
Rev. 9/25/2018
|
| Slot: |
ALLEN-3.02b?
1938-M RPD (1) |
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
PHILIPPINES UNDER U.S. SOVEREIGNTY |
| Item Description: |
1C 1938 1/1 M USA-PHIL VP-001 ALLEN-3.02a |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 RB |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Lyman Allen #3.02a (KM #179) - Total Mintage: 10,000,000 (Variety mintage unknown)
Historical Perspective
The U.S. mint prepared all of the working dies used at the Philippine Mint in Manila. At the time, the mint used a hub and die process for producing working dies for coin production as follows:
1. A master hub is created by reducing the original design to the size of the coin to be struck. The master hub is a positive image, just like the coin, but does not contain any digits of the date or mint mark so that it can be used for multiple years.
2. One or more master dies are created by striking the master die blanks with the master hub. Multiple blows are required to fully transfer the design with each master die undergoing an annealing process between blows. Generally, one cycle is performed per day, but if the dies are needed urgently, two cycles can be performed per day.
3. When the design has been fully transferred, the master die was annealed one more time and the first three digits of the date were added to the master die. If a mint mark is required, it would probably be added at this point as well. The master die is then hardened in preparation for striking the working hubs.
4. Working hubs are made from the master die using the same process as described above.
5. Working dies are made from the working hub using the same process as described above.
6. The final digit of the date is added to each working die. and the die is hardened before being used to strike coins.
So, how did this variety come to be much more common than a regular date? Based on examination of many 1937, 1938, and 1939 Centavos, I have a hypothesis. All of the 1s in the dates of the 1937 Centavos appear to have a thin, straight serif on the top, a thinner central upright and a smaller base. All of the 1s in the dates of the 1939 Centavos on the other hand, have a much larger serif that has a different angle than in 1937, a wider central upright, and a broader base. The 1s in the dates of the majority of the 1938 Centavos appear to be a combination of the 1937 type one, over-struck by the 1939 style 1. My suspicion is that at least two different master dies were used in creating the working hubs and working dies for 1938. One or more left over from 1937 and the other(s) created new in 1938 with the larger serif one in the date. If these master dies were used interchangeably to create working hubs, and again with the working dies, it's amazing that any of the coins struck contain a "normal date." However, coins with only the 1937 style one and with only the 1939 style one have been found to exist, although they are rare relative to the doubled one which comprises the majority of the extant population. Although not relevant to understanding the 1938 date issue, it is interesting to note that the the 1937 style 1 was again used on the 1940 and 1941 one centavo dies.
This Coin
This coin exhibits an average strike for a 1938 One Centavo. In spite of the relatively poor strike, the doubled "1" in the date is clearly visible. It was self-submitted to NGC for variety attribution as A-3,02a, but was given a new designation of VP-001 (VP meaning Variety Plus). I disagree with this assessment and contend that the 1938/1938 designation currently associated with variety A-3.02a by NGC is incorrect. . I also submitted the coin shown in Variety Plus as the 1938/1938, and I don't see the full doubling of the date. It may take some time, but I will be working with NGC to get this sorted out.
Varieties:
ALLEN-3.02 - Normal date and mint mark.
ALLEN-3.02a - Strongly doubled "1" in the date.
Date acquired: 9/8/2012 (Raw coin)
Date graded: 8/4/2022 (self submitted to NGC)
Rev. 8/29/2022
|