VOCABULARY TERM: COPY DIE

Copy Die. A new die copying the design from an original existing die (or from the coin or medal struck from the original die). Copy dies can be made by any method, as hand engraved or cut by machine, but not produced by HUBBING, or if pantographically cut, not from the same DIESHELL as the original. A piece struck from copy dies is called STRUCK COPY.

Despite the original and the copy bearing the same devices and lettering, they are not exactly alike. Minute variations inevitably exist between the old and the new versions. These variations result in VARIETIES in their respectively struck pieces. The minute variations are of immense interests to numismatists who study the characteristics of each to identify the minute variations as a DIAGNOSTIC DETAIL to differentiate the two.

Original versus copy. Copy dies are always made later than the originals and often for clandestine purposes. The intent of the maker and current law determines their legality. Copy dies are highly desired by counterfeiters since the pieces struck from copy dies more closely resemble the originals than other process (as casting, say). Other aspects of legality and intent are given in the entry on COPIES AND REPLICAS.

Technically any die made from the original hub (if it was hubbed) or from the original dieshell (if it was cut on a pantograph) is still the original. If a TRANSFER DIE was made or an INTERMEDIATE REDUCTION was made, all these would still be an original. Only when fresh dies are made without employing any model or pattern of the original diemaking, is the new die a copy die. See DIES AND DIEMAKING
CLASS 04.4

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