Error collectors - what is the Holy Grail?

relayer · January 10, 2003 6:52AM

I know of the popular error coins like the 3-legged Buffalo or the 1955 D/D, but what is the ultimate coin for error collectors?

What is the highest price ever paid for an error coin?

Are there any unique errors?

(I was thinking about sending my 1972 D/D to PCGS and got out my old lincoln cent album and saw it started to tone around the edge some - at least it's natural. Any ideas on it's grade?)

LucyBop · January 10, 2003 6:54AM

to me its the 55 d/d, but I just love things from the 50s!

Outhaul · January 10, 2003 7:13AM

kranky · January 10, 2003 7:13AM

That 1959-D Lincoln with the wheat ears reverse is quite interesting, if genuine. It's got another seal of approval from the Secret Service recently, IIRC, and will be auctioned next month somewhere.

The Sac mules certainly have gone for big money also.

Maybe a 1955 DDO Lincoln saddle struck with a Buffalo 3-legger on a silver center dollar planchet would be the ultimate.

I would bet the highest priced error coin might be a super high grade example of a well-known error (like the 1955 DDO) that isn't a one-of-a-kind error. Maybe Dog knows.

MadMarty · January 10, 2003 7:16AM

Easy, it's my Pissing Minuteman state quarter. Worth at least $100,000.

Rampage · January 10, 2003 7:17AM

You can find many numismatic errors on eBay from one of the world's biggest error coin dealers named Mike Byers. He also has a web site: Byers There are hundred of very nice errors there if you are looking to buy. Mike is a superb guy as I have bought from him more than once. Rampage.

coppercoins · January 10, 2003 7:20AM

Well, doubled dies are technically not errors - pretty much any error specialist will say the same. With that being said, 1955 DDO#1 is not an error, so it wouldn't count.

There are many errors that have more recently sold for over $10K, so where should one start? Off center large cents in MS, a peace dollar test strike that's almost an unstruck silver planchet but shows a hint of design, bonded piles of metal that are at least five to ten coins stuck together, a Sacagawea dollar that was struck at least ten times...it's hard to pick a single "holy grail" error because there are many high-dollar pieces that are unique and have commanded a king's ransome.

clw54 · January 10, 2003 7:35AM

A 1969-S double die cent goes for a lot.

relayer · January 10, 2003 7:38AM

That's what I'm talking about. That Byers site is cool.

Check out the 1875 Proof 3¢ Nickel Double Struck in Collar PCGS PROOF 64 Unique in the pre-1900 section.

That head bobing is almost life like.

braddick · January 10, 2003 7:44AM

relayer- Now THAT'S a cool error! Thanks for showing it.

Outhaul · January 10, 2003 7:50AM

BowAxe · January 10, 2003 7:51AM

The most fascinating error coin I've ever examined in person was an Indian head cent struck on a $2.50 gold planchet, which sold for some ridiculous amount like $25,000 at the Baltimore ANA Auction about 10 years ago. This may have been one of those intentional clandestine strikes that were sometimes made back in those days (a practice perhaps revived in our own time with those Sacagawea dollar/quarter mules that came out of Philadelphia.)

Dell

flaminio · January 10, 2003 7:53AM

I don't know about Holy Grail, but I always thought the copper 1943 cent and steel 1944 cent make a nice pair...

BowAxe · January 10, 2003 7:55AM

Mad Marty -- Why does your Minuteman piss out from his back side? Perhaps it's explosive diarrhea instead.

MrKelso · January 10, 2003 9:37AM

Any 1955 DD

gmarguli · January 10, 2003 9:52AM

Well, doubled dies are technically not errors - pretty much any error specialist will say the same

True, they are varieties, but so many people lump them all into one category that it has become common place for DDs to be referred to as errors.

Petescorner · January 10, 2003 9:56AM

Relayer, that's pretty much how I see all coins, until I put my glasses on!

Thanks for posting it!

coppercoins · January 10, 2003 10:00AM

<< <i> Well, doubled dies are technically not errors - pretty much any error specialist will say the same

True, they are varieties, but so many people lump them all into one category that it has become common place for DDs to be referred to as errors. >>

So very true, yet so very sad. It's a matter of frustration for many including myself, especially to see them printed as such in ads and articles in major publications...but doing it doesn't make it right. I also see a lot of people misusing "to", "too", and "two" along with "their", "there", and "they're" - I guess if enough people do it, we can just accept it and toss the English books and dictionaries, and simply accept wrong as right.

LucyBop · January 10, 2003 10:03AM

<< <i>So very true, yet so very sad. >>

Yet I'll be happy in my stupidity, give me a 55 double die error coin anydayz!

Outhaul · January 10, 2003 10:17AM

________________________

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oreville · January 10, 2003 11:38AM

coppercoins and I have discussed the variety versus error for many years now.

I happen to agree with coppercoins that the 1955 DDO cent is a variety but where we differ is that I see why the public wants to call the 1955 DDO cent an error.

It is a variety that was unintended as to its final outcome meaning the US Mint screwed up. It was one of the most blatent screw ups in the history of the US Mint.

Perhaps we variety people will have to throw in the towel and call these DDO's a variety error or an erroneous variety.

A 1960 lg and 1960sd cents are pure varieties. Just a pure design difference but still a variety. The public wants to differentiate the different kinds of varieties.

We could always have a wrestling match between the variety and error experts?

coppercoins · January 10, 2003 11:41AM

Oreville - G'day to ya.

Three different things, not just two. Error, variety, and die variety.

go here.

LucyBop · January 10, 2003 11:42AM

<< <i>We could always have a wrestling match between the variety and error experts? >>

I'm in!

oreville · January 10, 2003 11:52AM

coppercoins: I know but didi not get into the details as I should have.

My point is we are gpoing to have to change the categories to:

error
variety
die variety
erroneous variety

or we will end up losing half of our varieties to the error people!

michael · January 10, 2003 12:05PM

wow great thread!!

for me one of the greatest errors are major!! on proof coins!

as these coins were supposed to be carefully double struck and then handled one at a time hand inspected? and put into proof sets for collectors!

i mean how could you miss something like thses??

i went on byers site three days ago and saw some really neat errors on proof coins and not one or two but many!!!!!!!! and major errors on proof coins!

i know really nothing about error coins but i was wondering how some of these post 1970 errors got out of the mint??

with help???????????

maybe a larger proof coin 25 cent or larger with multiple strikes and off center after 1980 would be something that should really not exist!!??

or are really uncommon

sincerely michael

coppercoins · January 10, 2003 12:08PM

Michael - Modern proof cameo nickel with a large cud over the date on the cover of the newest Errorscope. That's a rarity.

dragon · January 10, 2003 1:08PM

For me, the neatest error is the Indian Head cent struck on a $2.5 Indian gold planchet, talk about a full mint gold color IHC!!

dragon

Bear · January 10, 2003 1:13PM

Give me a couple of stiff drinks and everything starts to

look like the 3 cent piece.

oldcameoproofsguy · January 10, 2003 1:22PM

If it exists, the wheat cent reverse on a 1959 cent would be the holy grail. Every time I see a 1959 Lincoln cent in change I get that lottery ticket feeling as I flip it over. Rats!!! It's the Lincoln memorial again. Better luck next time.

clackamas · January 10, 2003 1:48PM

Whatever you can find. I would say that the 1959 lincoln with the rev of 58 would be a coin I would like to find.

michael · January 10, 2003 2:01PM

i am very uncomfortable with the wheat reverse on the 1959 cent

i think it is not a genuine original mint product

sincerely michael

Conder101 · January 10, 2003 9:40PM

All proofs are double struck in collar. The correct description for that nickel three cent would be Die rotated between strikes.

It was intentionally fabricated at the mint but how about the 1970-S proof quarter struck over a 1900 Barber quarter?

Dog97 · January 11, 2003 2:14AM

A 1997 pileup would be great! Chances are slim though so a bullion error would have to do. I have minor things like GAE & SE cracks and strike thrus but a clipped Plat would be really cool.

Error collectors - what is the Holy Grail?

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