Too Minor RPMs

Question:

I would sincerely appreciate knowing the criteria that exiles an RPM into the dreaded “too minor” category.

Answer:

I would like to answer this question in two parts. There are two major factors. The first answers the question, “Why is there a category called ‘too minor.’” The second answers the question, “Does anyone else want to buy one?” The first question can be answered in one word; practicality. There are hundreds of RPMs where only splits in the serifs (SS) are visible. In the vast majority of cases it is practically impossible to distinguish them apart by die. Yes, there are probably some differences in die scratches or die gouges, but we all know that these often change several times in the life of a die. Thus it is next to impossible for me to be certain that a particular SS RPM is not a duplicate of one already in my collection and just as impossible for me to convince someone else that they need a particular SS RPM to complete their collection. Since we lack the sophistication to distinguish between dies on SS RPMs it is impractical to list them at this time. In addition, there are hundreds if not thousands of these SS RPMs. The time involved to catalog, then search the catalog to attribute them far exceeds any premium value they may have.

The second question can also be answered in one word; collectibility. In the area of minting varieties each person decides for himself what he/she is going to collect. By common consensus RPM collectors have decided that certain examples of RPMs are not to be included in one’s collection, primarily based on practicality as noted above. Some RPMs even though they have a very close separation are considered collectible (Would I as an RPM collector want to pay to add this coin to my collection) again based primarily upon the ability to distinguish it as a unique die.

Determining an RPM to be too minor to list is by its current nature a subjective evaluation. Since we are dealing with very small measurements, hundredths or thousandths of an inch, and most of us do not have access to highly sensitive equipment for measuring these small increments, no scientifically quantifiable and therefore objective measurement for evaluating an RPM to be too minor has been established. The first thing I look for are any markers that help me in distinguishing this RPM as a unique die. Most of the time the major marker is in the mintmark itself. Strength of doubling, direction of doubling, and position of the main mintmark relative to the design (usually the date though certainly not always as some mintmarks are on the reverse of the coin or positioned away from the date) are the most important elements. Secondarily, I look for die cracks, die chips, die scratches, die gouges, and die state on both sides of the coin. With all this information in hand, I make a subjective decision. Is it identifiable as a unique die? and would I buy one? If I can answer yes to both questions, I list the coin. If I cannot, I give it the dreaded, “too minor” label.

Email: jameswiles@sbcglobal.net

1490 Trail View Lane
Frisco, TX 75034-2649