VOCABULARY TERMS: VARIETY, DISCOVERY PIECE

Variety. A numismatic item differing from all other items of the same type, even if the difference is minute. Such a difference is the result of a change in the die (if struck),

or in the mold (if cast), as re-engraving a die crates a new variety. Numismatists study these variations. The greatest number of varieties occur in changing the date, somewhat less in the lettering or detail. A major variety can be the addition or deletion of a single word of a single character, or change in a design element; a minor variety would be, for example, a broken die with part of a letter filled. See die variety.

Discovery Piece. A numismatic item whose variety was heretofore unknown to numismatists and is correctly identified and reported by the discoverer. To be credited with the discovery, the numismatist-discoverer must do the following: (1) know exactly what he has discovered, (2) he must correctly identify and describe the variety; and (3) he must report it in the numismatic press. Further, but out of his control, the identification must stand the test of time to be accepted into numismatic literature.

Often it is a cataloger, an employee of an auction house, or a dealer, who discovers the variety. The owner may have been unaware of its existence while it was in his possession and becomes aware of the new variety only when he goes to sell it. It is, of course, the duty of the cataloger, the dealer or appraiser to correctly identify every piece and variety in a collection. Thus the importance of dealing with knowledgeable professional numismatists cannot be overstated.

Looking for the meaning of a numismatic word, or the description of a term?  Try the Newman Numismatic Portal's Numismatic Dictionary at: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionary

Or if you would like a printed copy of the complete Encyclopedia, it is available. There are 1,854 terms, on 678 pages, in The Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology. Even running two a week would require more than 19 years to publish them all. If you would like an advance draft of this vital reference work it may be obtained from the author for your check of $50 sent postpaid. Dick Johnson, 139 Thompson Drive, Torrington, CT 06790.

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