Just bought 2 clips today and thought I would share advice on how to buy them. First off, there are six things to consider Denomination Position of clip Is there more than one? Type of clip Size of clip Condition of the coin Is it particularly scarce on particular date/mintmark? Take these into effect and you will have success. Now, the more clips equals the higher the price. I have a penny that is clipped twice.(one of them barely) Now, that makes it more desirable. Redbook says $3 but I paid $5. It is double clipped though. Now the Redbook is high but every error is unique. So if it is a few bucks over the book and your not buying it to make money don't hesitate to spend a few dollars more within reason. If it books for $5 and is $8 what the heck? It is still cool. Buy what you can afford. Try to buy better stuff and avoid stuff in crappy condition. And remember, enjoy numismatics!
Redbook prices are often way behind. I never use redbook for pricing (especially on errors). I also have never bought a clip. I saw a war nickel with a clip once, now I'm kinda mad I didnt get it.
You forgot to mention the Blakesley effect. When a blank with a clip (or clips) is run through the upset mill (to raise a rim on the blank making it a planchet) the rim will not be raised or may be weaker directly opposite the clip(s).
Note how the rim is weak then strong near the clipped area. On a faked one the rim is still sharp in this area and the devices are strong unlike a clipped coin where the devices are faint toward the clipped area. FAKED: Real clips: (Sorry not mine though) http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/2000-D_Doubled_Clipped_Cent.jpg http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/2003_Straight_Ragged_Clip.jpg http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/1857_MS64_Curved_Clip_Error.jpg http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/1971_Kennedy_Triple_Clipped_half.jpg http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/1979-D_Incomplete_straight_clip_Sullivan_Numismatics.jpg http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/Incomplete_Planchet_Triple_Clip_Quarter.jpg incomplete blank http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/Curved___Straight_clipped_blank.jpg Where the problem with incomplete planchets can start: http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/Coin_Strip_punched.jpg http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/coop49/Coin_clip_images.jpg
If you don't own a dictionary (and even if you do) you can find the definition to any word on-line. One way is to simply Google the word and "definition". My Google search gave me: taper - to become smaller or thinner toward one end
This one is certified by NGC, 20% clip, MS66 RB. Do we see the features we've been discussing in this thread?
Clips are rare as far as I can tell for Cents. I mean, I look at thoisands of coins and don't find any. That tells me others aren't finding them either. Redbook is so far behind they don't even have up to date listings of some transition varieties. I don't think they can be considered a valid source to establish values on very scarce items.
I agree vnickels. It's like the farmer's almanac publishing the weather report 14 months ahead of time. Not all that useful toward the end of the year.
