Venezuela 5 bolivares 1989-1990

[mrbadexample]

Evening all.

I've been looking at these coins - firstly I have an example of 1989 Y#53a.1 (small obverse letters, large reverse letters).

Then 1989 Y#53a.2 (large obverse letters, small reverse letters):

[mrbadexample]

I then have a 1990 coin which, according to Numista / SCWC, should have either large obverse letters / small reverse letters (Y#53a.2) or large letters both sides (Y#53a.3).

Mine seems to have small obverse letters and large reverse letters. I cannot find this combination recorded.

Any insight appreciated.

Thanks, MBE 

[Figleaf]

The difference between the size of the letters is hard to see. Here is what I use.

On the shield side, the number five remains above a straight line drawn from the bottom of the last digit of the date to the bottom of the B of BOLIVARES on the small letter variety. The 5 goes below this imaginary line on the large letter variety.

On the head side, the tip of the nose points to the space between Í and V on the small letter variety. It points to the space between L and Í on the large letter variety.

On that basis, both sides of the 1990 coin you show are of the small letter variety.

Peter

[africancoins]

First point... there are 5 pieces of 1990 5 Bs. shown on en.ucoin.net and they all match your piece.

Looking at the images in this post....

The second 1989 5 Bs  - on the obverse - has larger main legends perhaps easiest to see with VENEZUELA (as compared to the other two pieces shown).

The second 1989 5 Bs  - on the reverse - has obviously smaller LIBERTADOR and obviously shorter BARRE (as compared to the other two pieces shown).

The second 1989 5 Bs has clearly fewer dentilations around the rim (as compared to the other two pieces shown).

The 1990 5 Bs  shown matches the first 1989 5 Bs. for both sides when considering the criteria I have detailed above.

I believe the 5 Bs. 1990 coins always look like the one shown here. Can anyone find an image of a differently detailed 5 Bs. 1990 ?

I have an example of each of the 3 pieces you have shown.

Thanks Mr Paul Baker

[mrbadexample]

On the head side, the tip of the nose points to the space between Í and V on the small letter variety. It points to the space between L and Í on the large letter variety.

Other way round Peter... 

The head side on this coin is, counterintuitively, the reverse. The small letter variety has the nose pointing between L&Í. The small letters have a larger gap to the border which is helpful.

So my 1990 reverse is the large letter variety. The obverse is as per Y#53a.1 as far as I can see - the smaller lettering. 

[mrbadexample]

The 1990 5 Bs  shown matches the first 1989 5 Bs. for both sides when considering the criteria I have detailed above.

So the 1990 corresponds to Y#53a.1? Is it perhaps a simple omission in SCWC from the listing? 

I believe the 5 Bs. 1990 coins always look like the one shown here. Can anyone find an image of a differently detailed 5 Bs. 1990 ?

Only the image in SCWC:

[africancoins]

This seems to be the same image as in the book...

Venezuela 5 Bolivares Y 53a.3 Prices & Values | NGC

I still do not think I can tell a difference between any of these 1990 dated pieces.

What can you see ?

Thanks Mr Paul Baker

[mrbadexample]

I thought the images showed a large letter obverse but I've had a closer look and don't think they do.

In the large letter obverse the first E of VENEZUELA has its bottom left corner directly over the gap between the cornucopia. On the small letter obverse it is lifted slightly above and to the right.

I think these images show a small letter obverse incorrectly described as large letter.

[eurocoin]

No, the image in the catalog shows a large letter obverse.

[africancoins]

I would disagree.

Look at the leaf tips near to the second half of the word VENEZUELA.

Thanks Mr Paul Baker

[eurocoin]

The coin in the catalog indeed has a small letter obverse if you take the side with the coat of arms as obverse. I was considering the portrait side as obverse, which has large letters.