NNP

Major Variety.  A change of lettering or some element of the design of a coin or medal without altering the overall design. A major variety does not change the type –

the class of numismatic objects of the same design – but often requires going back to

the original model to re-style or remodel some portion of the design. Often these major varieties are called Type I and Type II among collectors. An example would be the lowering of lettering to improve wearing qualities, as with the U.S. Bison nickel of 1913. In the ranking of classifying numismatic objects a major variety ranks below a type and above a variety and sub-variety.  See type and variety.

excerpted with permission from

An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology

For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators

COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON

Roger W. Burdette, Editor