This made my brain hurt........

newbiecollector

What does this actually have to do with collecting attractive or even rare coins?
Link

Sorry to be so critical. I just don't think it is absolutely necessary to use a 20X+ scope to assess a coin that is attractive. This may be a fault in my make-up.....

cladking

The author collects and studies lincoln cents by die vatiety. This is a fascinating area
that includes many thousands of coins. Even minor varieties can be of interest whether
they have great value or not to a variety collector. These are just as distinct as two coins
with different dates or mint marks.

In this case the coin is of exceptional interest because it was believed that all the causes
of die doubling were eliminated a few years back when the single squeeze method of die
preparation was instituted.

There are lots of great varieties which don't require magnification to see.

newbiecollector

ok

theboz11

I don't think "attractive" was the point, Rarity sure was! It takes a 20X or higher Binocular microscope to detect and identify Error coins which are not necessarily attractive because they just don't Look Right, being a little Off and all. 20X scope are also handy if you are after very high end Mint State material,,,MS68,69,70

newbiecollector

<< <i>I don't think "attractive" was the point, Rarity sure was! It takes a 20X or higher Binocular microscope to detect and identify Error coins which are not necessarily attractive because they just don't Look Right, being a little Off and all. 20X scope are also handy if you are after very high end Mint State material,,,MS68,69,70 >>

I think you are correct. I should not have said attractive in relation to the link.... my mistake.
I only collect for "eye appeal", which may or may not be nieve. I do need a 5x glass most of the time to see the coins correctly and I have no knowledge of unusual errors.
I was over critical, I guess.

0john0

My comments toward this area of coin collecting minutia might not be very positive, so I will keep them to myself.

newbiecollector

<< <i>My comments toward this area of coin collecting minutia might not be very positive, so I will keep them to myself. >>

I guess I should have done the same..

JohnZ

Newbie: some folks like to collect on a microscopic level, others on a macroscopic. They're both legitimate. I'm more of the macroscopic bent, which I take it you are also. However, I recently became interested in varieties when I received a copy of the Cherrypickers Guide, and have managed to acquire a handful of them.