NGC NGC US Type Coins & Varieties 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which US coin series featured the motto 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' on its edge lettering rather than on the coin's face?
- Morgan Dollar
- Presidential Dollar series (2007–2016) (Correct answer)
- Trade Dollar
- Flowing Hair Dollar
Correct answer: Presidential Dollar series (2007–2016)
The Presidential Dollar series (2007–2016) featured edge lettering including 'E PLURIBUS UNUM,' 'IN GOD WE TRUST,' and the year and mint mark.
Question 2: An 'overdated' coin variety occurs when:
- A coin is restruck in a later year
- A die has one date punched over a previous date (Correct answer)
- The date is placed incorrectly on the planchet
- Two different year coins are fused together
Correct answer: A die has one date punched over a previous date
Overdates result when a new date was punched over the old date on a working die, leaving traces of the earlier date visible.
Question 3: What is the significance of the 'VAM' designation in US coin collecting?
- Value Assessment Method
- Variety Attribution for Morgan and Peace dollars by Van Allen and Mallis (Correct answer)
- Vault Authentication Mark
- Visual Appearance Modifier
Correct answer: Variety Attribution for Morgan and Peace dollars by Van Allen and Mallis
VAM stands for the cataloguing system created by Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis to identify die varieties of Morgan and Peace dollars.
Question 4: In US type coin collecting, what is meant by the term 'key date'?
- The year the series began
- A coin with low mintage that is essential to completing a set (Correct answer)
- A coin struck with special commemorative dies
- The date a design was officially approved
Correct answer: A coin with low mintage that is essential to completing a set
A key date is a coin with a low mintage or high survival difficulty that is critical and typically most expensive to a complete set.
Question 5: What does NGC's 'CAC' sticker (when present on a holder) indicate?
- The coin has been cleaned after certification
- Certified Acceptance Corporation has confirmed the coin meets premium quality for its grade (Correct answer)
- The coin is Canadian-authenticated currency
- The coin has been conserved after certification
Correct answer: Certified Acceptance Corporation has confirmed the coin meets premium quality for its grade
A CAC (Certified Acceptance Corporation) sticker on an NGC holder indicates the coin meets or exceeds the quality standard for its assigned grade.
Question 6: Which US coin type is identified by the 'Type 1,' 'Type 2,' and 'Type 3' designations within the same date range, based on design modifications?
- Lincoln Memorial Cent
- Three-Cent Nickel
- Liberty Head Double Eagle ($20 gold) (Correct answer)
- Barber Quarter
Correct answer: Liberty Head Double Eagle ($20 gold)
The Liberty Head Double Eagle has distinct Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 varieties reflecting changes to the reverse design and lettering from 1849 to 1907.
NGC NGC US Type Coins & Varieties 2
Which US coin series featured the motto 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' on its edge lettering rather than on the coin's face?