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Which Mint and Year Were the Most Different Coin Types/Designs Minted?

Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 11,563 ✭✭✭✭✭

I think I know but haven't checked everything.

You can count all issues. In other words for example, you can count the 1873 2c in addition to the other circulating Philly coins that year. You can't count circulating and proof as 2 separate issues though. (I don't think 1873/Philly is the correct answer by the way).

Comments

  • OAKSTAROAKSTAR Posts: 8,541 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 22, 2025 11:20AM

    Deleted post. Bad information, sorry.

    Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )

  • sanddollarsanddollar Posts: 434 ✭✭✭

    I believe it is 1873, just as you stated.

    Cent two cent closed 3 two cent open 3 three cent silver closed 3 three cent nickel closed 3 three cent nickel open 3 1873 half dime closed 3 1873 S half dime closed 3 shield nickel closed 3 shield nickel open 3 1873 dime no arrows closed 3 1873 dime no arrows open 3 1873 CC dime no arrows closed 3 1873 dime w/arrows 1873 CC dime w/arrows 1873 S dime w/arrows 1873 quarter no arrows closed 3 1873 quarter no arrows open 3 1873 CC quarter no arrows 1873 quarter w/arrows 1873 CC quarter w/arrows 1873 S quarter w/arrows 1873 half no arrows closed 3 1873 half no arrows open 3 1873 CC half no arrows 1873 S half no arrows (made but none known to exist) 1873 half w/arrows 1873 CC half with arrows 1873 S half w/arrows 1873 seated dollar 1873 CC seated dollar 1873 S seated dollar (made but none known to exist) 1873 trade dollar 1873 CC trade dollar 1873 S trade dollar 1873 gold dollar closed 3 1873 gold dollar open 3 1873 quarter eagle closed 3 1873 quarter eagle open 3 1873 S quarter eagle 1873 three dollar closed 3 1873 three dollar open 3 1873 half eagle closed 3 1873 half eagle open 3 1873 CC half eagle 1873 S half eagle 1873 eagle 1873 CC eagle 1873 S eagle 1873 double eagle closed 3 1873 double eagle open 3 1873 CC double eagle 1873 S double eagle closed 3 1873 S double eagle open 3.

  • Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 11,563 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @sanddollar said:
    I believe it is 1873, just as you stated.

    Cent two cent closed 3 two cent open 3 three cent silver closed 3 three cent nickel closed 3 three cent nickel open 3 1873 half dime closed 3 1873 S half dime closed 3 shield nickel closed 3 shield nickel open 3 1873 dime no arrows closed 3 1873 dime no arrows open 3 1873 CC dime no arrows closed 3 1873 dime w/arrows 1873 CC dime w/arrows 1873 S dime w/arrows 1873 quarter no arrows closed 3 1873 quarter no arrows open 3 1873 CC quarter no arrows 1873 quarter w/arrows 1873 CC quarter w/arrows 1873 S quarter w/arrows 1873 half no arrows closed 3 1873 half no arrows open 3 1873 CC half no arrows 1873 S half no arrows (made but none known to exist) 1873 half w/arrows 1873 CC half with arrows 1873 S half w/arrows 1873 seated dollar 1873 CC seated dollar 1873 S seated dollar (made but none known to exist) 1873 trade dollar 1873 CC trade dollar 1873 S trade dollar 1873 gold dollar closed 3 1873 gold dollar open 3 1873 quarter eagle closed 3 1873 quarter eagle open 3 1873 S quarter eagle 1873 three dollar closed 3 1873 three dollar open 3 1873 half eagle closed 3 1873 half eagle open 3 1873 CC half eagle 1873 S half eagle 1873 eagle 1873 CC eagle 1873 S eagle 1873 double eagle closed 3 1873 double eagle open 3 1873 CC double eagle 1873 S double eagle closed 3 1873 S double eagle open 3.

    Single mint, not all mints that year. Also, I'm just including types/designs, not varieties like op/cl 3. 1873 Philly has 17 coins.

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 33,033 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 22, 2025 9:51AM

    In classical numismatics it would be 1873 because of the old types discontinued in that year and the new Trade Dollar, but with modern quarter programs and dollar programs and commemorative programs and bullion programs it is something else.

    I knew Harry X Boosel, "Mister 1873." He occasionally came into Harlan J. Berk's coin shop while I was working there and we would chat. I even loaned him my copy of the Ellery Queen mystery novel "And on the Eighth Day," which has as a minor sub-plot a small hoard of Uncirculated 1873-CC Seated Dollars.

    Numismatist. 54 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Author "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," due out late 2025.
  • This year. The Shanghai mint

  • Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 11,563 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I said to myself before posting - This thread is never going to work. I should either stop talking to myself, or start listening to myself.

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 35,004 ✭✭✭✭✭

    For the type of collector 1793 is difficult for everything. There are the 1793 half cent, Chain and Wreath Cents, and the Liberty Cap Cent although can covered by a 1794, ‘95 and ‘96 coin. The 1795 $5 and $10 gold coins are tough, and the 1796 No Stars Quarter Eagle is the rarest of all the major type coins.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • hfjacintohfjacinto Posts: 917 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 22, 2025 12:16PM

    This was answered at coin community, it was 1873

    https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=436954&whichpage=2

    In the modern era, 2009 takes the prize with 36 different coins. Not including the S mint we have
    4 Life of Lincoln (PD)
    6 DC and Territories Quarters (PD)
    4 Presidential dollars (PD)
    4 circulating coinage (5, 10, 50, Sacagawea dollar)

    So if just P, you have 18 coins

  • The_Dinosaur_ManThe_Dinosaur_Man Posts: 1,167 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'd have to double check my listings for Coins by the Year, however the period of 1849 to 1861 is pretty loaded with five mints in operation, then you have the mid 1930s with all the commemorative half dollars, but also recent years with the current issues of quarters, bullion, and commemoratives as well.

    Just keep in mind, some of the years with National Park Quarters had 40 quarters issued between mints, finishes, and the 5 oz hockey pucks.

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  • The_Dinosaur_ManThe_Dinosaur_Man Posts: 1,167 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I might be off by one or two coins. The year 2019 has 118 different coins across denominations, finishes, and method of release (NIFC or not)

    https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/Coins_by_the_Year/Coins_by_the_Year.html#2019

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  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,781 ✭✭✭✭✭

    As an early copper enthusiast, my first thought was 1839... lots of varieties for that particular year but all from the Philadelphia mint

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  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 33,033 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I say again, don't forget the bullion issues.

    Numismatist. 54 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Author "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," due out late 2025.
  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 36,815 ✭✭✭✭✭

    did 09 have fractional platinum?

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  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 33,033 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 22, 2025 4:09PM

    @MsMorrisine said:
    did 09 have fractional platinum?

    In 2009

    1 size silver
    4 sizes gold eagles
    1 size buffalo gold
    5 diff first lady gold (two Tylers)
    1 High Relief $20
    1 oz. platinum regular design
    1 oz. platinum Preamble Proof only re. design
    1 Louis Braille commem
    1 Abraham Lincoln commem.

    Numismatist. 54 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Author "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," due out late 2025.
  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 33,033 ✭✭✭✭✭

    So 18 + 16 = 34 design combinations.

    Numismatist. 54 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Author "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," due out late 2025.
  • Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 11,563 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @CaptHenway said:

    @MsMorrisine said:
    did 09 have fractional platinum?

    In 2009

    1 size silver
    4 sizes gold eagles
    1 size buffalo gold
    5 diff first lady gold (two Tylers)
    1 High Relief $20
    1 oz. platinum regular design
    1 oz. platinum Preamble Proof only re. design
    1 Louis Braille commem
    1 Abraham Lincoln commem.

    That's a good list but mixes mints. There are some W only coins on the list.

  • dcarrdcarr Posts: 9,475 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Maybe 1936 (if commemoratives are included) ?

    5 regular-issue coin types + 20 commemorative coin types = 25.

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 36,815 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @dcarr said:
    Maybe 1936 (if commemoratives are included) ?

    5 regular-issue coin types + 20 commemorative coin types = 25.

    it's a date/mm game

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  • dcarrdcarr Posts: 9,475 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MsMorrisine said:

    @dcarr said:
    Maybe 1936 (if commemoratives are included) ?

    5 regular-issue coin types + 20 commemorative coin types = 25.

    it's a date/mm game

    .

    Ok, then, Philadelphia 1936:
    5 regular-issue coin types + 18 commemorative coin types = 23.

    .

  • Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 11,563 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @dcarr said:

    @MsMorrisine said:

    @dcarr said:
    Maybe 1936 (if commemoratives are included) ?

    5 regular-issue coin types + 20 commemorative coin types = 25.

    it's a date/mm game

    .

    Ok, then, Philadelphia 1936:
    5 regular-issue coin types + 18 commemorative coin types = 23.

    .

    1936 Philly is 5 + 19 = 24. I still think it could be beaten, but I'm not sure.

  • dcarrdcarr Posts: 9,475 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 22, 2025 7:10PM

    @Morgan White said:

    @dcarr said:

    @MsMorrisine said:

    @dcarr said:
    Maybe 1936 (if commemoratives are included) ?

    5 regular-issue coin types + 20 commemorative coin types = 25.

    it's a date/mm game

    .

    Ok, then, Philadelphia 1936:
    5 regular-issue coin types + 18 commemorative coin types = 23.

    .

    1936 Philly is 5 + 19 = 24. I still think it could be beaten, but I'm not sure.

    .

    Yes, 5 + 19 = 24.

    Two 1936 commemoratives were not minted in Philadelphia: 1936-S Bay Bridge; 1936-D San Diego.
    19 different 1936 commemoratives were minted in Philadelphia.

    .

  • sanddollarsanddollar Posts: 434 ✭✭✭

    Do transitional coins count?

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 37,574 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @hfjacinto said:
    This was answered at coin community, it was 1873

    https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=436954&whichpage=2

    In the modern era, 2009 takes the prize with 36 different coins. Not including the S mint we have
    4 Life of Lincoln (PD)
    6 DC and Territories Quarters (PD)
    4 Presidential dollars (PD)
    4 circulating coinage (5, 10, 50, Sacagawea dollar)

    So if just P, you have 18 coins

    What about Eagles? Commems?

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 11,563 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @sanddollar said:
    Do transitional coins count?

    Not sure what you mean by "transitional". 1838 No stars? Sure go ahead, but we have 24 confirmed with 1936 Philly, I doubt anything before 1936 will beat that. If there are more than 24 at a single mint, it will probably be in the modern issues.

  • Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 11,563 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @hfjacinto said:
    This was answered at coin community, it was 1873

    https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=436954&whichpage=2

    In the modern era, 2009 takes the prize with 36 different coins. Not including the S mint we have
    4 Life of Lincoln (PD)
    6 DC and Territories Quarters (PD)
    4 Presidential dollars (PD)
    4 circulating coinage (5, 10, 50, Sacagawea dollar)

    So if just P, you have 18 coins

    What about Eagles? Commems?

    I think 2009 Philly is going to beat the 24 total of 1936 Philly. I'll look at it more specifically later.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 37,574 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Morgan White said:

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @hfjacinto said:
    This was answered at coin community, it was 1873

    https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=436954&whichpage=2

    In the modern era, 2009 takes the prize with 36 different coins. Not including the S mint we have
    4 Life of Lincoln (PD)
    6 DC and Territories Quarters (PD)
    4 Presidential dollars (PD)
    4 circulating coinage (5, 10, 50, Sacagawea dollar)

    So if just P, you have 18 coins

    What about Eagles? Commems?

    I think 2009 Philly is going to beat the 24 total of 1936 Philly. I'll look at it more specifically later.

    I definitely agree. I think a lot of modern years will dominate the top of the list - unless you choose to separate the commems.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 11,563 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I think 2009 Philly has 26 total, the 18 regular issues plus the silver eagle, 4 gold eagles, gold buff, and 2 commem dollars.

    Assuming that's correct, any date/mints that might surpass that?

  • Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,793 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @lkenefic said:
    As an early copper enthusiast, my first thought was 1839... lots of varieties for that particular year but all from the Philadelphia mint

    Same here!

    And if we’re going to consider minor differences like open and closed numerals, mint marks, etc, as “different types and designs”, then why not 1794? There are ~50 die varieties on the cents alone.

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  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 36,815 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I think 2009 Philly has 26 total, the 18 regular issues plus the silver eagle, 4 gold eagles, gold buff, and 2 commem dollars.

    Assuming that's correct, any date/mints that might surpass that?

    the ase age buff ape were minted in W

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  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 37,574 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Morgan White said:
    I think 2009 Philly has 26 total, the 18 regular issues plus the silver eagle, 4 gold eagles, gold buff, and 2 commem dollars.

    Assuming that's correct, any date/mints that might surpass that?

    2010? The hockey pucks add 5 to each year starting in 2010.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • sanddollarsanddollar Posts: 434 ✭✭✭

    @Morgan White said:

    @sanddollar said:
    Do transitional coins count?

    Not sure what you mean by "transitional". 1838 No stars? Sure go ahead, but we have 24 confirmed with 1936 Philly, I doubt anything before 1936 will beat that. If there are more than 24 at a single mint, it will probably be in the modern issues.

    Yes, thank you.

  • hfjacintohfjacinto Posts: 917 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The issue with this is that there isn’t a defined standard. For example why include hockey pucks but not include metals. Neither are coins. I didn’t include bullion as they aren’t really coins (no one is going to use a $50 ASE to buy a coffee , heck you would need 5 ase to get a Starbucks). I think 2009 wins for coins, if you add everything else the mint did it gets really hard to pick a date.

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 36,815 ✭✭✭✭✭

    in 2010 there were pucks minted in philadelphia. ase are excluded because they are minted in west point

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  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 37,574 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @hfjacinto said:
    The issue with this is that there isn’t a defined standard. For example why include hockey pucks but not include metals. Neither are coins. I didn’t include bullion as they aren’t really coins (no one is going to use a $50 ASE to buy a coffee , heck you would need 5 ase to get a Starbucks). I think 2009 wins for coins, if you add everything else the mint did it gets really hard to pick a date.

    Then 1936 can't count is commems either.

    I'm not sure that selective exclusion solves the problem. It just confuses the issue.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 36,815 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @dcarr said:
    19 different 1936 commemoratives were minted in Philadelphia.

    and no mules!

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  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,988 ✭✭✭✭✭

    1879

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  • oldabeintxoldabeintx Posts: 2,561 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This question was germane for me only as it applies to assembling classic proof sets that represent a number of types. I put together proof sets for 1873, 1859, and 1909. Fun project.

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