I Think I'm An Unsophisticated Numismatist

I really think I am an Unsophisticated Numismatist. I have loved coins my entire life and have loved studying them...but I have never been able to get interested in doubled dies, die markers, or anything like that. I don't want to have to examine my coins under a microscope or high powered loupe to make to see what makes it special.

Sure, the 1955 DDO Lincoln Cent is sweet...you can actually see it. I'd love one. But the little ones where you have to look super close just never did it for me. I love Morgans, my favorite US coin, but I just don't care about VAMs.

Big die cracks...I like those. I can see them. But the little things you really can't see just don't do it for me.

The only time I really care about those small details is when it comes to studying a particular coin for authenticity. For example, I studied the heck out of the MM placement on the 1909-S VDB.

I almost feel like a fraud talking to other Numismatists because I just don't care about these varieties. LOL.

 

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There are many collectors that feel the same way. I know I don't care for that kind of stuff. I collect coins for history, art, and to keep my mind busy when things get a bit tough. Sure beats drinking, smoking, or doing drugs.

I can appreciate the collectors that devote their time and energy to such things, but I also think it's pretty trivial, especially for modern coins.

 

It is interesting how people can be passionate about coins, yet it is very different aspects that draw them. I find bust die marriages addicting, but I have tried VAMing Morgans and that does absolutely nothing for me, even though I like Morgans....I'll just choose one that my eye likes, thanks.
I'm sure no one would consider me sophisticated, and that's OK.

 

You are singing my tune. I may have some of the greatest variety coins on earth in my safe. I would never know it. For me studying a lovely old coin is reading a history book. Yeah, I am unsophisticated but a happy coin collector.

 

I'm much the same way.

Every time someone posts their C-3 NF-43 L-312 H-43 R-6 19th century copper I end up having the same reaction as when my three-year-old nephew tells me he's drawn a horse: sure.

Props to those guys, but I'll stick to the trials and tribulations of Morgans, pre-33 gold, and exonumia.

 

Most collectors including highly sophisticated ones really don't care about things that you need microscopes to see. Varieties and things of that nature would cost WAY more if everyone cared.

There's a big difference between being aware of something and really caring about it, at the end of the day most people just want a pleasing eye appealing coin and if it has a variety etc then it does and if not nothing is lost

 

If you can't see it with a 10x loupe, I feel its too insignificant to care about. If you need a microscope to see the difference, then it is absolutely not something I care about.

This is not sophistication. This is minutiae. Sure, there are specialists who will disagree, and there are Vampires who will denounce me. But the best varieties are the ones you can see with a naked eye.

 

I am in the same boat I think. I mostly avoid everything "doubled die" or microscopic "errors". I have become much more aware of varieties of old U.S. coppers, but have no desire to acquire them all. Major varieties are only important because they fill a spot in one of my albums. I collect coins because I love the history attached to them, and the aesthetic beauty of some of them. I would only coin roll hunt to put together circulated coin sets. Looking for errors would be rather monotonous for me.

 

I mostly collect world coins, but I enjoy having some U.S. varieties and some doubled die coins...

1984 doubled ear...




1943-P Doubled eye...




After I am done buying my toned Canadian 2 sets I want a 1972 DDO like this...


Down the road I want a slabbed PCGS or NGC 1955 doubled die.


Some favorite world coins Brasil doubled die coins...

 

Unsophisticated numismatist.

Where do I sign up?

 

I'm also in that boat. Other than the few major Doubled Die coins, I wouldn't even consider buying one. On the other hand, I don't judge anyone for collecting whatever that want to.
@spirityoda. I've not paid much attention to the labels, but do the TPG's put the DDO/DDR number on the holder?

 

Doubled dies are not everyone's cup of tea, but some (me) after collecting for 20+ years...some (me) look for interesting (cool) varieties.

 

Only if you pay them. Otherwise you could send in a coin with an error and the label will say nothing of the sort.

 

Most just say DDO or DDR.

 

@paddyman98 could probably answer that question about labels on slabs. He has many many error coins. Not sure if he collects varieties ?

 

I try put in an honest effort in an attempt to find something obvious on my coins. I have never found anything amazing. I have gone through all my Morgans and found the VAM to document them and was like, "ok, that's sorta neat". It took forever. The only thing I hunted down are some of the incredible Morgan VAMS. Like 7/8 tailfeathers, o/s mintmark, the rev of 78s vs rev of 79s.

I have read about the 1878 P with the concave reverse. Tilting and rotating a VAM14.4 reverse in the light gives the impression you are gazing into a silver bowl. It is also referred to the "Deep Dish" variety. The effect rivals the best cartwheels you have ever seen on an obverse of any Morgan. If the VAMWorld crew were to vote on the most distinctive VAM, the 14.4 would be in the top 2 or 3.

Yeah... I want one of those. Anybody got one?

 

I am much the same way, only liking the things you can see with the naked eye. I have studied Morgan VAMs a bit, but find it quite tedious when trying to document each and every one.

The one bright spot I did have in all of this is that I was able to cherry-pick an 1899 S Morgan when I noticed it was the VAM-7(Doubled 1-99). I sent it back to NGC for verification and came back a grade higher and labeled with the VAM due to it being a Top 100.
That almost got me excited for VAMs.... almost.

 

I've done the same thing. I have the VAM book and I've examined my Morgan's and identified them...but just couldn't get really interested in it. I never found anything worth grading though.

 

Same with RPMs I see absolutely no point and looking for them, but hey whatever floats your boat.

 

Well...I feel better. LOL