Design Types and Design Varieties:

Within the Lincoln cent series, there are dozens of different designs. Some of these differences are obvious, while others are so minor that even experienced collectors may overlook them. A design change can be as small as a slightly different bowtie, letter shape, numeral style, designer’s initials, or spacing between design elements. It can also be as substantial as the change from the Wheat reverse to the Lincoln Memorial reverse.

These different designs are properly called design types.

A design type is a distinct version of the design used to create the master hubs and (eventually) working dies that struck the coins. Collectors commonly think of major reverse changes as separate types, but the term also applies to the many smaller engraving differences that occurred throughout the Lincoln cent series. The Mint frequently modified designs to improve appearance, correct problems, strengthen certain details, accommodate manufacturing needs, or prepare the design for a new production period.

Most design types are not considered varieties. In many cases, one design was used for a particular period and was then replaced by another. When the designs were used during separate years, they simply represented different types within the larger series.

A design variety is created when more than one design type becomes relevant within the same date and issue. This usually happens when the Mint changes a design during a calendar year, resulting in coins of the same date being struck from two recognizably different designs.

The familiar Small Date and Large Date coins are good examples. The Small Date and Large Date are separate design types because the numerals were engraved differently. Because both designs were used on coins bearing the same date, however, they also become design varieties. Collectors can search for and classify the two versions within that single year.

This distinction is important. Every design variety involves different design types, but not every design type becomes a collectible design variety. The circumstances under which the designs were used determine whether collectors have something that can be identified within the same date, mint, or production issue.

Another important category involves transitional design varieties.

A transitional design variety can occur when a design intended for one production period is accidentally used during another. A previous design may continue to be used after it was supposed to have been retired, or a new design may appear before its official period of use was intended to begin.

One of the best-known Lincoln cent examples involves the reverse design change planned for 1993. Hubs carrying the new 1993 reverse design were somehow placed into use near the end of 1992. As a result, some 1992-dated cents were struck with a reverse design that should have appeared the following year. In a rather odd twist of fate, the proof design was changed only for 1993, then returned to the older design beginning 1994, but as luck would have it, the Mint accidentally issued proof cents in 1998 and 1999 with the reverse design intended only for 1993 proof cents. Confused? Many of us are and need a chart to make sense of it. Fortunately I have one for you right here:

These coins are especially interesting because they preserve evidence of an unintended transition in the Mint’s production process. Depending on the date, mint, rarity, and demand, transitional design varieties can also become quite valuable.

Understanding the individual design types is what makes these discoveries possible. A collector who does not know what the normal design should look like for a particular date will have little chance of recognizing a design that was used too early, too late, or in the wrong production setting.

There may still be undiscovered transitional design varieties waiting to be found. One especially intriguing possibility would be a 1974 Lincoln cent struck with the 1973 one-year reverse design, which features unusually large designer’s initials. If dies or hubs carrying that reverse remained in use during the transition into 1974 production, examples could potentially exist. None have yet been confirmed, but knowing the design differences gives collectors something specific to search for.

That is the real value of studying design types. It is not merely an exercise in memorizing tiny differences. It teaches collectors how the Lincoln cent changed over time and helps them recognize coins that do not fit the expected production sequence.

There are far more possibilities in the Lincoln cent series than many collectors imagine. Some differences are common and historically interesting. Others may reveal scarce or previously undocumented transitional uses. Even when a discovery does not result in a valuable coin, the collector gains a deeper understanding of how the coins were designed, prepared, and produced.

A complete study of the known Lincoln cent design types is available here on Coppercoins. It may be worth taking the time to examine them closely. You could discover something of value, but even if you do not, you will learn details about the series that most collectors are never taught to notice.