Discussion: First Strike Coins

[pjdsh]

Hi All,

I would like to know whether first strike coins will be scarce. Is it true that when a commemorative coin is issued/released, there will be fewer coins struck(First Strike coins) and later the same commemorative coins were release in to market.

Jagadeesh.

[dheer]

There are 2 assumptions.

First the design of first strike will be different than subsequent strikes.

Secondly the first strike will be scarce or limited in quantity

Both these are unpredictable and know post facto.

[pjdsh]

Thank You Dheer

[rajiv]

There are 2 assumptions.

First the design of first strike will be different than subsequent strikes.

Secondly the first strike will be scarce or limited in quantity

Both these are unpredictable and know post facto.

hello dheer sir , do we have list of first  strike coins  or all the commemorative coins have first strike coins .

[dheer]

Take a look at die variety.
SBI petal, 4 bags war coins, M mark on some issues, flowers on saint Alphonse, etc.

[Figleaf]

Not sure how the term is used in India. It originates in the US.

When a new die is inserted in the press, it is polished and hopefully flawless. The first coins of new dies therefore may look somewhat better. If the press is relatively slow (which is not the case in the US), coins from new dies will take on some characteristics of proof coins: partial milky field and shiny high parts. First strikes should not be confused with the coins used in first day of issue ceremonies. These are held mostly - if not only - for commemorative coins and these coins are normally the last of the run: they have to be available for sale immediately after the ceremony. This may also be different in India.

Conclusions: first strikes occur on circulation as well as commemorative coins. They occur whenever a new die is used. Many are struck at the same time. They should not be different from later strikes.

The first strike effect disappears gradually as more coins are struck and the new die wears. Therefore, there is no hard borderline where a coin is no longer a first strike. This leads to commercial abuse.

Peter

[pjdsh]

I got the attached image from a group.Some one was explaining the difference between first strike and normal release of coin.

If the explanation is correct, the die for normal coin would be different from the one that is used for First Strike coin. Am i right.



-Jagadeesh.

[dheer]

Yes in this specific case, there are different dies used for the first strike and the subsequent circulation strikes.

If you notice the date and mint mark, the size has increased. This means that during initial strike these elements of the die wore out fast or resulted in die clogs; requiring frequent cleaning. This slows down the processes of strikes. Hence the Mint master would make minor changes to design elements to over come these.