Filled letters/numbers: Variety?

[Guest]

Are filled letters/numbers considered a variety or a die state defect indicative of die state and therefore a factor to be considered when grading a coin? I recently acquired a large number of wheat cents [12,500 to be exact] and decided that this would provide an excellent opportunity for me to gain much needed experience in grading coins. In going through the 58's, I ran across a few filled mint marks and numbers/letters and set them aside, assuming them to be a "collectable" variety. Now, going through the 57's, I'm encountering a rather large number of filled B's, 9's and 5's - so many so that I'm wondering whether filled digits are really a collectable variety [as many Ebay vendors lead one to believe], or are they just die defects that occur as die state deteriorates and, therefore, should be regarded as a factor when grading a coin. Is there a consensus in the numismatic community on this?
Thanks in advance for any help and/or advice on this . . .

Danoman

[jcuve]

A picture would help. But taking what I can from your description, I am presuming you have coins with die chips. Open areas of devices such as letters, numbers or the mintmark appearing to be filled in. This is the product of die overuse and is common to this era ('50s) of coinage.

They are not varieties as the die chipping occurs after die installation. They are more or less errors, but not really collectible ones unless they are extreme.

And I am not sure how they'd impact grading. They shouldn't.

[SDP73]

don't believe anything you read on eBay

[Danoman]

I view Ebay the same way I do hucksters on the midway at a carnival . . . . but it can be entertaining.

Danoman

[Danoman]

jcuve, I will now refer rto them as die chips, not "filled". And, because they are wear and damage to the die and not the coin itself, I will not use them as a grading factor. Also, photos will be forthcoming once I become proficient enough at photographing my coins.
Thanks bAgain!
Danoman