I may have rattled my own cage.... Errors. ...hmm???
topstuf
Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭
In another thread related to PNG suggestions, I posted the following:
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It's too bad that errors aren't appreciated by more collectors.
They are cool, different, and usually far more...interesting..than regular coins.
It's a field where the actual appearance of the coin has more weight than the extent of wear.
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It's funny how that unexpectedly resonated with me at this time.
It got me thinking that the only coin I've sold in the past year that I actually ...regret... was an error.
"So"..... I sez to me....... "Why don't you actually ...COLLECT.... errors?"
.......................Duh. 
We spend days discussing the dwindling interest of "the public" in conventional numismatics.
I'd venture to say that an error would be of more interest to an outside "lay person" than just about any condition census classic design coin from the past.
It takes FAR less time to create ...some... interest. I'd also guarantee that the public is already aware of any and all errors.
If you've ever run a coin shop, you know how many calls you get for "Hey, I have an old dollar with "TRUST"...,.MISSPELLED!"
Also every minor element of "difference" is ...always.... noted by the public. Especially in "MONEY."
The profusion of extra requirements to validate conventional coins just ...has...to be daunting to anyone considering coins as a "hobby."
I know that's the case with me. You all know my disdain for the rise of the sticker craze and I haven't changed that opinion at all. It's another hurdle that ....(to some)..... is discouraging. And enough "somes" can add up.
Sooooo..... Maybe errors are the wave of the future. 
Comments
Selling a unique eye-appealing error coin is an odd experience. You may never get a chance to own it again. It may be put away for a generation or more.
It use to be hard for me, but I do it all the time now and I get to put the profits into even cooler errors which I did not fully understand when I sold my first big one from my personal collection.
Yep, I'm so serious that I am actually divesting of a ...lot... of my so called "keepers."
Never thought I'd actually do it.
But I ...guess.... I still need some sort of numismatic "fix" or I'll be going cold turkey bonkers.
This might be MY answer.
I have sold so many keepers in the last year. My personal collection has become my inventory except for say a box of 40 birth year errors.
When I sell coins, I keep the money in my paypal account and look for other errors for my inventory that would also qualify as a piece in my personal collection
I have never focused on errors, though I thoroughly enjoy looking at them. There are some incredible examples that have been posted here over the years. The only error coin I own - I think - is a blank planchet cent.... and found that one 'in the wild'. Cheers, RickO
It's whether you like it or not
It is worth noting that while errors get skabbed and a grade assigned, as far as I know error collectors do not look for grade rarities ie super high grades. It is all about the error.
I think error collectors are their own breed and agree that they are just interested in the error and not so much the grade.
Donato
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
Of course, the error is more important than the grade, but with that said most major error coins are in MS condition.
I think as MS65 as a high grade for a major error coin. I strive for that grade as an average for my coins. If I get a MS66 that means I can now go for a super cool MS64.