DD vs MD

Jgrabocoin

So I see a lot of forum questions about possible double dies and people commenting telling the person that it’s “just Machine Doubling” or “yep, MD”

Some have even said that there are no listed DD’s for a certain year of coin so it has to be MD.

By the way people are responding, it makes me believe that MD is basically worthless.

Can someone clarify a bit more or direct me to a good website on this subject? I have several coins that have some kind of doubling and would like to be able to identify them correctly.
Example- 1994 D Washington Quarter with several parts doubled both Obverse and Reverse.

TurtleCat

Here are a few great links that walk through the differences and show pictures:

https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/machine-doubling-doubled-dies/

https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/5688/Double-Dies-vs-Machine-Doubling/

https://www.errorvariety.com/OFD/MD.html

http://doubleddie.com/144822.html

That said, there are some dramatic examples of machine doubling that people will pay more for. It would have to be mighty dramatic, though.

coinbuf

In most cases MD has no value associated to it, that however does not keep the scammers on YouTube and ebay form attempting to fleece those that are not knowledgeable.

Jimnight

@TurtleCat gave you some very good links.

ricko

@Jgrabocoin.... Welcome aboard. Yes, your coin has machine doubling. And yes, numismatically speaking, it is basically non-value added. The references above should help you determine the differences. Cheers, RickO

Jgrabocoin

Is there a better way to see the doubling? I have a USB microscope, but I was wondering if there is a better or easier way to be able to tell. Or better techniques?

ricko

@Jgrabocoin.... Doubling should - for the vast majority of cases - be discernible and determinable with no more than 10x magnification....loupe or glass....Study the examples on the sites given above. It is a learning process, but quickly you will find it quite simple. Cheers, RickO

coinbuf

Get rid of the microscope, if you cannot see what your looking at by eye or with a 7X loupe then its just not important.

JBK

Unless you are an experienced numismatist you probably should not be scrutinizing older coins for known DDs. Make a list of known DDs and scrutinize coins that match the dates/MMs on that list. To scrutinize other coins is a huge time drain that prevents you from searching other coins.

(If you are searching current or recent years' coins you could, in theory, find the discovery coin showing an unknown DD.)

99.99999% of the doubling you will see is worthless MD.

Catbert

The thread headline made me wonder why would someone want to talk about dentists and physicians on a coin board! 🤔😉