2006 pandas receding earline

[S. Ohno]

Has anyone noticed this before?
Not just the ears... Eyes, nose, and mouth are smaller, because the frosted area is larger.
Shoulder line is straighter.
Everything else checks out OK. 31.20g diameter/thickness normal.

NGC doesn't seem to mind:
http://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/CertResults.aspx?CertNumber=3552450-010
http://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/CertResults.aspx?CertNumber=3775705-014

 

[tamo42]

Interesting. Those are clearly different dies.

The clump of bamboo at 5 o'clock is broken in the bald ear variety and attached in the normal variety. It might be an easy way to tell them apart.

Just in general, the normal variety seems to be a much richer design, but that could just be the die state of the other strike.

 

[S. Ohno]

The clump of bamboo at 5 o'clock is broken in the bald ear variety and attached in the normal variety. It might be an easy way to tell them apart.

You mean this?
The twig is slightly different. Extra frosting here too, between the upper two leaves.

Same area of normal coin:

Closeups of panda faces:
Check out the lip on the left panda.

 

[tamo42]

If you look at http://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/CertResults.aspx?CertNumber=3552450-010 the clump is completely broken. I guess further indication of the late die state for that particular coin.

 

[S. Ohno]

If you look at http://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/CertResults.aspx?CertNumber=3552450-010 the clump is completely broken. I guess further indication of the late die state for that particular coin.

I see, but if you look at the pics in the ebay item it doesn't look so broken:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2006-CHINA-...11283?pt=US_Bullion_Coins&hash=item2a2eb18113

 

[silverbulldog]

wow I love when you guys figure out these varieties...keep up the good work Panda collectors!