Im really curious about something. Especially from the experts here. When you get a coin in your hand, what are the first 3 things you look for or at on the coin? General condition? The date? What "error" do you look for first? Is there a reason with your experience that you look for certain things right away? Also, is there a specific coin you are always on the lookout for in the back of your mind???? I'd like to know because I find myself all over the place with coins. And....what would you tell a novice to look for first?
I don't like to use the word 'expert' for myself.. I just say I'm a specialist. My brain is like a supercomputer when I look at any coin I just scan it really fast. I know what to look for instantly. It takes years my freind.. A lot of It is common sense though. If you know the minting proccess well and see something that can't occur during minting.. Then it is most likely PMD - Post Mint Damage. That's the main problem with new coin collectors, they always assume that damage = error. It's not always the case. Go to the websites and learn! Educate yourself! It's important! http://www.error-ref.com And https://doubleddie.com/1801.html
Would you be looking for Varieties, Errors, over all eye-appeal? If you have a specific year coin in front of you, you should research (or already researched) what Varieties, or Errors that specific Year/Mint Mark has. Then, you would be able to look for those specific Varieties/Errors on your specific coin. So, you want to create a list of each year and mint mark varieties and errors you are looking for (or use websites / books). Then, you'll be able to compare your specific coin, to a specific variety / error. In other words, you need to educate yourself on what exactly you want to look for. if you want to look for "everything" then you need to educate yourself on "everything".
Nice Paddy! thanks! You are really active around here which is cool. Is there a coin you are always on the look out for? Maybe something you hope to find???
Claw, Im kind of weird with this and my ambition changes from week to week. I will go weeks without looking at a coin then get re inspired with something I read or find or run across. I have found the most enjoyment from finding 100 year old pennies in what by my weak definition are in good or decent shape. I wont buy them though...takes the fun out. I like to find them naturally if that makes sense.
I look at the entire coin not for three specific things. In fact I don't look for anything specific. If you're looking for something in particular you will probably miss something else as you're not looking for that. I examine the entire coin on both sides and the rim.
Looking at a coin is like looking at a pretty woman. From a distance, you see everything, but as you get closer, you tend to notice those "areas" that may or may not catch your eye. Chris
In Todays' world I look at it as fake and try to eliminate it. If I can't using knowledge and research, I look at condition and possible value. Doing it reversely leads your mind to want it to be so bad, you miss something or pareidolia occurs, IMO, Jim
