Reviewing coins for errors

therealknarles

Personally I love looking for errors in coins. I am very new to numismatics and I can see how easy it is to either have my eyes playing tricks on me - or mistake die doubling for mechanical doubling. So, I am curious, what is your process for reviewing coins for errors? Do you rely on Wexler's or Variety Vista resources? What if you think you have a discovery? Thanks!

Namvet69

@therealknarles Welcome to CU. There is no one resource because of the extensive variety of errors. Becoming enlightened means studying errors as a continuing exercise. Coneca, doubleddie, cuds on coins, error-ref, and a whole bunch more are your keys to success. Good luck. Peace Roy

Oldhoopster

The best way to find errors, is to understand the minting and die making processes. Knowing how they occur will help you spot them and avoid wasting time on PMD. No short cuts, just study and research.

If you don't already have these
https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=104&v=mqPvKxJXC_Y&feature=emb_title

https://www.coinnews.net/2014/01/06/how-the-denver-mint-makes-dies-to-produce-coins/

Here is a good site with lots of diff types of errors
https://www.error-ref.com/

therealknarles

@Oldhoopster said:
The best way to find errors, is to understand the minting and die making processes. Knowing how they occur will help you spot them and avoid wasting time on PMD. No short cuts, just study and research.

If you don't already have these
https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=104&v=mqPvKxJXC_Y&feature=emb_title

https://www.coinnews.net/2014/01/06/how-the-denver-mint-makes-dies-to-produce-coins/

Here is a good site with lots of diff types of errors
https://www.error-ref.com/

Thank you! Those are very helpful!

therealknarles

I also found this to be helpful -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C0lXNPve9U&ab_channel=CoinZip

MarkKelley

The best thing to do is to study the minting process thoroughly, from start to finish. This will allow you to discern what can and cannot happen to a coin at the mint. If you think you've found a new variety, be sure that it will pass every test as to whether or not it occurred at the mint. As for known varieties, photos of everything are available online.

therealknarles

Thanks Roy! Looking forward to being a part of this community!
-Chuck

Pattyreed36

Is it possible for a coin to be missing first number of date and partial of the second number. I have a penny like this for 1936 has no mint mark. Could it have been altered, it has no damage I could see. I'm new and still have to figure out pics so I apologize not to post one.

JBK

@Pattyreed36 said:
Is it possible for a coin to be missing first number of date and partial of the second number. I have a penny like this for 1936 has no mint mark. Could it have been altered, it has no damage I could see. I'm new and still have to figure out pics so I apologize not to post one.

It's best to open your own thread, but in any case it could be altered, damaged, or struck from a (grease) filled die.