Just found a Spanish 2 euro coin with what appears to be a difference in the orientation and design of the numbers and stars around the edge. The numbers look slightly smaller and thinner, but the stars are inverted. Not sure if the photos below show this clearly enough. Anyone else seen this?
Please try coin questions forum, as there is no work assocciated with this particular forum ticket. Also, we do not usually list those random edge lettering orientations.
Catalogue administrator
Status changed to Rejected(Jarcek, 16 Oct 2023, 13:55)
However, I will continue to list it on my own page as a variation, as I can't see how the stars on the edge can be inverted without a change in edge design or die.
For this coin the 2 and the stars on the edge are alternately inverted.
Flip one of your coins 180° and line up the 2's again and you'll see the stars are the same orientation.
Correct - but that leaves the obverse of one coin facing up, whilst the other is facing down - it also doesn't explain the differences in the ‘2’.
Content to list this one in my collection for my own benefit, as similar variations in other countries (with edges facing up or down) have been rejected before. But, it's worth noting if the wind changes and we decide that these are indeed variations.
For this coin the 2 and the stars on the edge are alternately inverted.
Flip one of your coins 180° and line up the 2's again and you'll see the stars are the same orientation.
Correct - but that leaves the obverse of one coin facing up, whilst the other is facing down - it also doesn't explain the differences in the ‘2’.
Content to list this one in my collection for my own benefit, as similar variations in other countries (with edges facing up or down) have been rejected before. But, it's worth noting if the wind changes and we decide that these are indeed variations.
Assuming this coin is like most modern coins, the edge lettering is split 50/50 obverse up/obverse down. If that is correct (and I think in all probability it is) then your coins do not show a different star orientation. The stars on both coins are orientated exactly the same.
So that leaves only the size of the 2's as a possible variant. In my opinion, the difference is actually in the depth of the impression and can be explained by normal variation in the manufacturing process including strike pressure, wear of the collar/roller making the impressions on the edge, etc. Examination of a large number of coins will show many different “sizes” of the 2's, from very deep/large to shallow/small.
I could be wrong in which case you have found a true variant but I don't believe you have nearly enough data points to prove it.
