Determining Die Doubling from Other Forms of Doubling - by JT Stanton "Explaining the difference between die doubling (doubled dies, repunched dates, repunched mintmarks among others) and the more confusing forms of doubling can be very challenging and even more difficult for a novice to comprehend. Additionally, there are times when determining the difference can be frustrating for even a very experienced collector." Determining Die Doubling from Other Forms of Doubling ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mint Error News - The name kind of sums it up, Mint Error News is an on-line coin magazine with information on new discoveries, a price guide, a glossary, articles, lots of pics of error coins and much more. Mint Error News ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Byers Numismatic Corp. - This web site is own and run by error expert Mike Byers. It is primarily a sales site, but there are tons of pics of various error coins and lots of information about them as well. Byers Numismatic Corp --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ken Potter's Variety Vault - Own and run by error & variety expert Ken Potter, this site has plenty of pics and articles explaining about various varieties for most denominations and errors. It is also a sales site. Ken Potter's Variety Vault -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONECA - The Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America - CONECA is a national numismatic organization devoted to the education of error and variety coin collectors. CONECA focuses on many error and variety specialties, including doubled dies, Repunched mintmarks, multiple errors, clips, double strikes, off-metals and off-centers -- just to name a few. It publishes an educational magazine, The Errorscope, which is printed and mailed to members bimonthly. CONECA offers a lending library, examination, listing and attribution services; it holds annual meetings at major conventions (referred to as Errorama) around the country, and offers auction services to its members. CONECA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Error Coin Information Exchange "The Error Coin Information Exchange (ECIE) is a freewheeling forum dedicated to the study of error coins and varieties. Founded and hosted by veteran writer and researcher Mike Diamond, it is a great place to visit, whether you're an established collector or a novice. ECIE is not flashy and doesn’t waste your time with a message board clogged with idle chit-chat. It simply provides the best information on error coins available on the web. Here you can read about late-breaking developments; find out about the newest discoveries; listen or participate in spirited debates about how error coins are produced; test your skills with periodic quizzes and brain-teasers. ECIE proudly maintains an atmosphere of skeptical inquiry. Here, no claim goes unchallenged and no theory goes untested. This is the best place to find out what kind of error you really have, how it was created, and the extent to which it is rare or unusual." ECIE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Oh, No It Aint !!! " History of the "Oh, No It Ain't ...!!" Column: A number of years ago, CONECA member, Bill Fivaz (of Cherrypickers' Guide fame) penned a popular long-running series entitled, "Oh, No It Ain't ...!!" It was published in the CONECA Errorscope for 26 consecutive issues from the March 1991 issue through the July/August 1994 issue. His focus was on a variety of different coins that at first glance may have fooled many collectors into believing they were legitimate error coins. It included such items as faked clips, double strikes and brockages; plugged coins, reeded blanks, Mint/Proof Set Sealing Device damage, "jumbo coins" (from hammering), etc. When Bill finally ended the series he indicated that if there was anybody who wanted to carry it on that it was open to them. Later, when I mentioned the column to him in casual conversation, he repeated his offer suggesting that if I was interested in reviving the series -- to feel free." Oh No It Aint !!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top 50 Pocket Change Treasures At least according to Bubba & Zemo - perhaps better known as Bill Fivaz & J.T. Stanton. Here you can find their list of the top 50 coins that can be found in your pocket change - in various denominations which include : the Lincoln cent, Jefferson nickels, Roosevelt dimes, Washington quarters & Kennedy halves. Of course they have closeup pics of each along with their attribution numbers. Bubba & Zemo ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Error/Variety Checklist - by Mike Diamond Just what it says it is - this is a list compiled by Mike Diamond of all the various types of possible errors and varieties. Error/Variety Checklist ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Guide to Understanding and Using NGC’s VarietyPlus Service "Introduction Welcome to NGC’s Variety Guide. This booklet is designed to enable customers to use NGC’s VarietyPlus service more effectively. It does this by listing exactly which categories of United States coin varieties NGC will attribute and which reference books are used for assigning variety numbers. In the case of early coin series (Bust types), the relative rarity for each variety is also given, permitting the user to know quickly whether he has a scarce or rare variety that may be worthy of a premium price without having to consult an extensive (and expensive) library of books." NGC's Variety Guide --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clip Errors "By David J. Camire Learn the Diagnostics of Authentic Mint Made Curved Clips. We have witnessed a resurgence of non-genuine curved clip coins entering the market place. While most "faked clips" are usually easy to spot because of the crudeness of their fabrication, this is not always the case. A substantial amount of elaborate fakes of coins dated within the past two years have surfaced. Who is making them is still unknown, but the lure of easy money is probably the driving force. So how can a mint made clip be distinguished from a clip fabricated outside the mint after striking? There are three foolproof characteristics that will examine which will answer this question: cut and tear marks, weak rims, and metal flow." Clip Errors -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rotated Die Coin Census "The purpose of this page will be to put together a census for all U.S. rare coins and modern coins known to exist with major die rotation (rotated reverse)of 90 degrees to 180 degrees. This is NOT an effort to put together a condition census or price guide for these rare coins but strictly to list all available coins known from every denomination and what degree of rotation is known to exist. I will however list the grade of each coin known if possible along with the date,denomination and degree of rotation. Any one wishing to add their rare coins or a modern coin to the list of known coins can do so by sending their list to me showing date,denomination,grade and degree of rotation. I can not do this alone,only with the help of other collectors can this venture succeed. THANK YOU in advance for your help." Rotated Die Coin Census -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Die Variety News "The inaugural issue of Die Variety News bi-monthly on-line newsletter is now available in Adobe Acrobat rich-text PDF document, allowing viewers a high-resolution, detailed printing of each page. This exclusive online paid subscription newsletter will be devoted to updating collectors on varieties for all denominations. Each issue will cover various die varieties and include news on the latest discoveries." Die Variety News --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World Coin Errors "A Study of World Mis-struck Coins" "It seemed that there were some misconceptions about the relative scarcity of World misstruck coins. Phrases like "German (French, etc) error coins are very rare" or "obverse brockages outnumber reverse brockages ten to one" were heard, with no supporting data." "A study was undertaken in 1989 to catalog known World mis-struck coins (excluding those of the U.S.). Goals of the study were to determine which types of mis-strikes were common or rare, by country and time period. The following data may prove useful to collectors, even though these 6000+ thousand coins are 'only the tip of the iceberg'." World Coin Errors --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Missing Clad Layer "State quarters are hot and State quarter errors are even hotter. But many collectors are buying altered or counterfeit quarters for large sums of money. Don’t be one of these collectors? " "I have received 62 State quarters with “Missing Clad Layer” errors for authentication. I have authenticated two. The other 60 were altered coins. Of these 60 coins, 8 were found in circulation by collectors and the other 52 were purchased. This means 52 collectors bought coins that have no value." Missing Clad Layer
Broadstruck or Off Center "When is a coin “Broadstruck and when is it Off Center?" "Broadstruck coins have caught the interest of collectors only in the last five or six years, while the true error collector has enjoyed them for many years. There are many sub varieties, today we will just talk about broadstruck coins in general." Broadstruck or Off Center
S Mint marks of 1979 and '81 "Mint mark varieties on some 1979-S and 1981-S coins have been sneered at as trivial and too hard to discern, but collectors can't disdain the prices." "The "Clear S" varieties for the Anthony dollars from the San Francisco Mint for those years are now in standard guides and regarded by many as essential to a complete set. They are also the most expensive coins in that short-lived series." S Mint marks of 1979 and '81
