Finding Modern Errors

Oak

I have a friend that has expressed an interest in coin collecting, specifically in looking thru rolls to discover an error coin (He's anal enough to do it too! Not that there's anything wrong with that.). Can anybody recommend appropriate reading to identify known errors. Also would be interested in readings on the minting process and the types of errors that occur and their respective rarity and values.

Tom

Rampage

I would suggest reading the Error Coin Encyclopedia for all error types and the minting process. The authors of the book are Arnie Margolis and Fred Weinberg. Super book. You will not find any kind of "spectacular" error such as double strikes in rolls, however. Your best bet on that is to search mint sealed bags.

However, if you are looking for varieties, then rolls are fine. I would suggest your friend start with maybe tryiong to find some of the type two reverses of the Cent. Years: 1998, 1999 and 2000.

Rampage.

coppercoins

More so than not, the "collectible" errors are going to be odd-size and will not be in rolls. There are only a few types of errors that would be found in rolls, and on cents these typically sell for much less than $5 each. If you want a shot at the "real" errors, I would suggest mint sealed bags, and go back a few years - 1995-2001 errors of the $20+ magnitude are getting quite scarce (tightening of mint quality), however they are somewhat easier to find in the older bags, and they cost about the same amount of money (if not less). That, and I would probably buy the excess "normal" coins at the right price (read: below bid) if he (you) wanted to get rid of them.

There are many different dates that sell for decently low prices, bags in the mid to late 70s can still be had for $60-$75, which isn't much over face ($50). Die variety hunters usually shy away from these dates because known die varieties are widely scattered in them. For instance, not one single die variety is known in cents minted in 1977, but errors abound.

That's my recommendation, have fun!