type specimen vs example

type specimen and example both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
type specimen	Yes	No	No	No
example	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, example is a hypernym of type specimen; that is, example is a word with a broader meaning than type specimen:

type specimen: the original specimen from which the description of a new species is made
example: a representative form or pattern

Other hypernyms of type specimen include model.

type specimen (noun)	example (noun)
the original specimen from which the description of a new species is made	a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding
	an item of information that is typical of a class or group
	something to be imitated
	a representative form or pattern
	punishment intended as a warning to others
	an occurrence of something