2016-04-07 Thu

Modifying the design of a coin by mints can lead to mistakes that would be reflected for years to come. Changes that are made to a master die are often referred to as “design subtypes” or simply “subtypes.” Changes are made to improve the strike or reduce wear in vulnerable areas. It might be done to prolong the life of the dies or to change aesthetic sensibilities. A change in a coin’s composition might alter strike characteristics due to which a design change is also required.

Design subtypes can exist for a particular time period or overlap into earlier or later design regimes. They can also co-exist with one or more other subtypes. Recording and classifying design subtypes is tedious and challenging.

Mistakes can occur when altering a design. A 2008 Chile 50-peso misspelled the country name as CHIIE due to a fouled-up obverse master hub. A new master hub was needed to be designed to preserve the design’s longevity which was introduced in 1981. The original master hub might have cracked while generating the master die intended to be used in 2008.

There are many other cases of such dreaded mistakes in designs.