Chippers,

3 questions about variations. Reference the 2 Crown Cruise 50 centers below.

The top chip (Similar to the ChipGuide listed version, see link below) is different from the 'variety' of the bottom chip. THey have some coloration differences, but I tend to be careful of those (sunlight fading, etc.). I suspect that the bottom chip lighter crown, and the darker text both point to a variation, but the real determinant is the placement of the denom. The top chip has 'Denom high', with the top of the red denom violating the horizontal line from C to E on top of the blue text. The bottom chip has 'Denom low', with the top of the red below that horizontal line. Lastly, the inlay may be a touch smaller on the bottom chip, not sure.

1) For chippers who are familiar with the chip manufacturing process, is there any explanation that would suggest that the 2 chips below are the 'same' chip?

2) If they are different, are they different enough for a different CG number?

3) What are the collecting threshholds out there on varieties? SCV vs LCV and some text size variations seem pretty universal, and those that do the UV thing have good evidence. But some visual differences are small enough to kinda drive you crazy. For you Nevada fractionals collectors, the Westward Ho blue inlay 50 centers, and the Silver Smith white inlay 50 centers are good examples. Between chip/inlay color differences, denom sizes, text variations, etc., there are a handful of chip varieties and the difference is fine enough that you sometime don't know what you are looking at unless you put them side by side.

So, I'm taking thoughts from those who care. What do you think?