Iv found numerous coins with different levels of doubling, some with actual clear doubling, a couple with the smear type from the die shifting. I also have 2 indian head pennies where under magnification, all the text on the reverse is doubled to some degree, the obverses are normal. Is it very common for coins to have doubling or is it not a normal thing. I know there are certain coins that are doubled in a certain way that make them worth a premium, is there any value in what iv found. Im sorry I couldnt upload any pics to show you, but my camera cant seem to focus on such detail, and im working on figuring out a goo magnification route. I have various pennies that most text on the reverse is doubled slightly, a few nickels, and im not quite sure yet, but possibly a mercury dime and a Silver Proof state quarter. any opinions are welcome. again im sorry theres no pics yet
The amount isn't what is important. What is important is the type of doubling. No amount of MD will equal a little bit of DD.
What amount of doubling is significant ? Depends on who you ask. Personally, I think the idea has been carried to the nonsensical. I mean really, who cares if a coin has some minor detail doubled when it 10-50x magnification to even see it ? And even then, you still have to have somebody explain it to you so you know what you are looking at. To me, that is just ridiculous. But that's me. Other people seem to make a big deal out of it. To me, if you can't plainly see the doubling with the naked eye, then who cares ?
Who cares? Those who are into errors and varieties. Some of these minute doublings are very rare and more rare when it comes to condition because it has only been fairly recently that people have been looking at coins more closely (probably because U.S. coins can become rote/mundane and prices of normal examples can be high, so why not search for varieties on the cheap?).
But are they very rare ? Is it even possible for them to be rare ? I really don't see how. Consider, the coins with the miniscule doubling that can only be seen with extreme magnification are all modern coins. And they are all the result of single squeeze hubbing. And with single squeeze hubbing, having a doubled die is not supposed to even be possible. That is part of the reason that the mint switched over to single squeeze hubbing, to negate the possibility of doubled dies. And since pretty much all modern dies strike a million coins or more - how can one of those that is doubled ever be considered to be rare ? The doubling is on the die, so every coin produced by that doubled die has the doubling. So there are huge numbers of them. Now consider, you are an error collector, and one day a friend comes over and you decide to share your collection with him. You get your coins out and he looks at all of your examples of double die coins. With the older examples it's easy to see the doubling, no magnification or anything is required. But then you get to the modern examples, those were the result of single squeeze hubbing. Your friend looks at the coins and comments - hey, I can't see any doubling on these coins. You point and say it's right there, and he says well I can't see it. You then say, just a minute, and you go into the other room and come back with a microscope, put the coin on the stand and focus the microscope. The say, look there, right along the edge of the columns, see that second line ? I'm sorry, but gimme a break ! There are hundreds of thousands if not a million or more of these things out there, the doubling is so tiny, so miniscule you need a microscope to even see it, and yet people get all excited because it's a doubled die coin. These are the kind of coins I am talking about. And to me, it's ridiculous - to me. If it is not ridiculous to you, or to anybody else, then more power to ya. If that is what you like, have at it. But my opinion shall not change.
Here is my 1992 the last number is so obvious 2 is doubled on the right side. Doubling or Doubled Die ?
Need a dead on shot of the date. I don't see any notching and from an angle the doubling looks flat. From the pic, it looks like MD.
Wow! No longer collect coins? May I ask why, especially since you devote quite a bit of time to the forum?
Coin collecting is but one aspect of numismatics. Doug can explain his own reason, but many prefer research on numismatic areas to collecting a physical piece. Satisfaction comes from determing facts and unknown aspects of a coin or series. Some may prefer numismatic photography and only has the pleasure to handle other's coins, but immortalizes them for everyone. Scientific/forensic numismatics is another area of research and utilization of modern methods on coins and paper items. Many may find coin roll searching, bullion collecting, plugging coins into a predetermined hole as boring and time wasting as those who find it is the basis of their collecting. Eventually after a long time filling albums, many minds turn to more satisfying, more inclusive aspects. Running a coin forum and trying to contribute to the knowledge and education of others can be satisfying Jim
Thank you for that input. I never thought of it like that. Do you collect? What is your primary numismatic focus if I may ask?
I still have general interest, but emphasis in varieties of IHC, Lincolns, and Buffalo five cents. I also like eclectic areas of numismatics and philately. Several have asked why I say errer collector in my avatar if I collect varieties, I say "Thats an error ",
You sent me to the dictionary on philately. I like varieties in Lincoln cents too (that why I keep posting RPM threads). I figured you did not mis-spell the words above you avatar, however, I have wondered what your avatar actually is?
Wow...I'm not the only one. Thank goodness. I always thought I was a little crazy because the idea of such insignificant doubling meant nothing to me. You and I agree 100% on this one.
I think many of us agree with Doug's assessment on the minor varieties, but it seems that there are many people who enjoy these types of die variations. I don't remember ever seeing this type of variety ever carrying much of a premium before ebay, it was just a way that collectors could classify their coins.
For those on a very modest budget, Lincoln varieties provide a cheap thrill that perhaps some better off folks may never understand.
There is nothing wrong with collecting them if you like them...I just always thought they were insignificant personally.
Jim explained it pretty well. But since you are a fairly new member, I spent over 40 years collecting US coins. Then I sold that collection and switched to collecting world coins for a while, specializing in gold. To see examples what I used to collect take a look at my albums on my Profile page sometime.
