the three 1972 Earths

[RobEzerman]

To get things started, you can go to the "Articles" link on the home page or at the bottom of the Forum Home Page and click on "CHEAT SHEET 1972 (P) 3 Earths Comparison Type 1,2, &3" for pictures. Rob
Please see: 3 earths comparison

[19Lyds]

Personally, I find the concentration on the Island configuration to distinguish the three different Earth Types to be very basic and elementary as there is much more to consider. For example, how would you distinguish a Type 1 from a Type 2 if the coin in question were badly worn and the Earth elements were weakly struck? I have seen badkly dinged and worn Type 1 coins graded as Type 2 coins simply because other diagnostics were either unknown or ignored.



Look at the shape of the state of Florida. The Type 2 Florida has a unique and easily distinguishable shape similar to a Tornado. The Type 1 and the Type 3 coins do not.

The Type 1 Florida is an almost cartoonish representation of Florida. Evenly proportioned down the penninsula to a well rounded tip.

The Type 3 Florida, is more closely representative of what Florida actually looks like. A bit narrower at the top of the penninsula which then gradually widens until it terminates at a near point.

[RobEzerman]

Lee, thanks for your input.

I like to see where Florida is pointing, more to the south (clockwise) in the TYPE 2 (and the FEV).

Some ebay photos show where FL is pointing better than island details but one has to note the angle of lighting as from the right and from the left will change the direction of the primary light reflection off Florida. Your point of the shape of Florida in the three TYPES is thus helpful to keep in mind when trying to cherry based on ebay photos. Rob

[herbhicks]

<< I have seen badkly dinged and worn Type 1 coins graded as Type 2 coins simply because other diagnostics were either unknown or ignored.>>

You can also make that Type 3 called Type 2. At least those two are both high relief and have the flagpole, but you still should not confuse the two.

[DaveWantuck]

I guess I'll direct this question to Mr. Hicks, since he's the MAN when it comes to this coin....I have about 14 72P type 2 Ikes in my collection. I'm not a very good grader of coins, but since Gary Hoop sent me the best info on 72 type 2 Ikes a few years back, I've been looking closely at my collection and at coin shows. None of my type 2 Ikes have die cracks in the word STATES. Not one of them. I'm using a 10x loupe, but I would think that should be strong enough. I can't tell you how many collectors I've asked about these coins, and NObody in my area knows ANYTHING about a type 2 Ike. It's frustrating to say the least. I would like to know one way or the other if in fact I have type 2 Ikes. From all the photos I've seen and what I'm reading on this site, I'm pretty sure they are indeed 72P type 2 Ikes. The fact that not one of them has a die crack thru states makes me doubt my own vision..... To quote my grand daughter, "I need some help"....
Dave

[DaveWantuck]

Hello again....I'm sorry but I forgot to mention about 5 of those 72P type 2 Ikes have what appears to be Talon Head marks...I have a few Ikes with very prominent TH markings, but these 5 are what you might call "C" variety, "A" being very strong TH markings and "C" being the weakest.....it seems the more I read, the more confused I get...duh!!!
Dave

[robEzerman]

Dave, do I ever have the article for you to read: http://ikegroup.org/SHADOW11308.htm .

There are two Type-2 '72 Ikes, one was released in March and about 2/3 to 4/5 of them have that die crack through parts of STATES (when present it varies in size from barely visible in slanted light to easy-loupe or even naked-eye when the in-relief cracks catch slanted light); and, one released in August of which half have a small talon head image ("Talon Tip") and the remnants of a Jaw Line or at least visible abrasions in that area. Both T2's have the incuse "mega-island" round Earth and other than clash and crack appear to be identical.

The two pictures below show a fairly strong example of the die crack.

Go ahead and read the article, you'll be glad you did! Rob

[herbhicks]

<<From all the photos I've seen and what I'm reading on this site, I'm pretty sure they are indeed 72P type 2 Ikes. The fact that not one of them has a die crack thru states makes me doubt my own vision.....>>
Have no fear, you could easily have type 2's without the die crack as per Rob's comments.

[DaveWantuck]

OK Rob....
That was indeed a wonderful article about 72P type 2 Ikes...wow!!!! I finally can see the 'shadow'....my brain wasn't allowing me to see anything between (10:30 and 11:30) which is what is stated in the article....but I figured it must mean between 10 and 11 o'clock....right under that STAR....aaaaaaawwww yes thats it....on the outside of the earth...I was looking for a shadow that didn't exist....I was looking at the whole western side of the earth....the 10:30 and 11:30 was confusing to me....but I found it...whew! What a relief...I was beginning to doubt myself and my 64 year old eyes.... Thanks for a wonderful article....I'll have to re-read it many more times just to glean all the info in that article...Its almost a small book.... Thanks Guys...
Dave

[robEzerman]

Somehow this section of the FORUM managed to overlook John Robert's discovery of two obverse die markers for early die states of the March T2, ie, before the classic reverse die crack marker becomes visible.

Here is a link to Robert's break-through article : http://www.anacs.com/contentPages/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=51 (we've also published John's article on our web site under Articles of the Month).

The die dig under the N of IN appears small, round, in relief and shiny. Upon rotation ("wobble") of an early die state March T2, this little nubbin just shines out. As the die ages a bit and the marker reverse die crack in STATES begins to become visible under a loup (aided by a sharp oblique light from above that picks up the in-relief variegated die crack), the little nubbin begins to fade a bit but is still easily detected.

By the time the reverse die crack is nearing its fully developed irregular trip through the tops of the letters of STATES, the little nubbin is beginning to fade. If you've seen it in earlier die states, however, you can almost always spot it.

The upward-slanted short die gash angling NorthWest out of Ike's neck (about even with the middle arm of the E) is usually starkly visible in earlier die states when the reverse die crack is not present or just beginning to develop. As the reverse die crack matures fully, the neck gash may become submerged in die-flow lines, but patience may allow you to tease it into visibility as you carefully wobble the candidate T2.

Since we can now definitively identify all March release T2's, we can with equal certainty identify the August release T2 struck before its clash episode (which produced a small but naked-eye talon image ("Talon Tip") and reverse die abrasions in the vicinity of the Jaw Line) by the absence of the nubbin under the N and no die gouge off Ike's neck.

So. thanks to John Roberts we can securely distinguish all March and all August release 1972 T2's, a wonderful advance: only severely abused or worn T2's may remain problematic in this regard. Rob