VOCABULARY TERM: LOGOTYPE

Logotype. A single punch containing more than one figure or letter; a gangpunch. Logotypes are used by engravers or diesinkers for example, to punch the date in coin hubs or dies. Christian Gobrecht first used a 4-digit logotype on the date of his 1836 silver dollar. Use of logotypes.in the engraving department of the United States was a common practice thereafter. Counterstamped pieces have also been stamped with logotypes, sometimes with the effect of raised lettering within a sunken panel. maker's marks are a form of logotype, often composed of a monogram, symbol or trademark and/or name forming the design of the punch, these were often used on edge or the reverse. The famed American Brasher doubloon was punched with a logotype of the issuer's EB initials.

Logotypes are made by cutting the design or letters into a matrix, usually of brass, and by forcing a softened steel punch into the matrix; the punch is shaped much like a pencil point with a long bevel or taper; the punch is then hardened for use. See punch, puncheon (1). Logotype anomalies usually occur when overdating, correcting the date on, say, a previous year's die. Breen records over 60 of these in early U.S. Mint history. The most dramatic are the rotated logotype where the logotype with two figures "18" were first punched in as "81". This occurred on the 1844 and 1851 large cent dies.

References:
NC8 {1988} Breen.

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Logotype (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516242)

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