I was hoping I could get some help/opinions on varieties and errors. I haven't been very interested in varieties and errors until recently and I have a couple of hundred dollars worth of modern coins (cents, nickels, dimes and quarters, all 1960-2011) to look through. I have a Cherrypickers guide on order, but I was wondering if any of you have some suggestions on dates to look out for so I can get started looking through it all. Thanks in advance. -Greg
Browse the older threads here using the keyword error and you'll get a lot of info. Varieties are a bit different, you should have a guide to start with.
When you say that you have the CPG on order, do you mean Volume I or II, or both? The latest Volume II is expected to ship in September and covers dimes and up. Volume I was released about three years ago and only covers 1c-5c. Also, the CPG does not cover errors. For those you would need something like Alan Herbert's Official Price Guide to Mint Errors. Chris
I ordered Volume I Fifth edition off of Amazon. I haven't ordered Volume II yet. Errors are not too hard to spot, anything I see that is unusual I can look into, it is the varieties that I am more ignorant about. I started my collection solely on dates, type and metal composition, but I am wanting to expand my collecting abilities. I have access to a lot of change and I feel I should take advantage of that.
Have Fun ! Here is a varieties Web link: http://varietyvista.com/ You may need to look very closely at your coins to detect some of these varieties. Some will jump out at you without any magnification. Have fun!
You may also want to join the Coneca error& varieties forum too?? :thumb:www.conecaonline.org:thumb: They updated today with a new Kennedy Half error. http://www.coinnews.net/2011/08/08/coneca-errorscope-issue-features-doubled-die-cent-double-struck-jfk/
Thanks everyone for all the info and advice. I will definately be going to the CONECA site and the forum. I already know some of the big ones to look for, i.e. the 1999 wide "AM," but I am sure there is a ton of others I am missing.
I just bought the 5th edition CPG volume I on amazon for $26, but on Whitman's site they sell it for $40 so wouldn't it be better to buy it from amazon.
Volume II hasn't been released yet, and I'll be surprised if it will sell that cheap. Volume I is 3 years old. Chris
I agree with Doug, CONECAonline.com has great information on all errors/varieties. They post the newest finds and the site is updated constantly. I suggest you join, it's only $25 for adults and it comes with other stuff besides access to their forums.
Your books will tell you what to look for. While you're waiting for them to arrive you would be well advised to sort them out by type and decade. Use butter tubs or egg cartons to keep them separate. You may need a digital magnifier, or at least a 10X loupe. Some say that if you can't detect something with a 7X loupe, then it's probably not worth looking for.
I already have them separated by denomination and decade in plastic tubes. (I am kind of OCD about things like that) Plus I already have a 16X loupe. I have a ton of Kennedy halves and Ikes as well. Plus I grab the Presidential and Sac coins if they are in really good shape. I have a couple of plastic bins full of coins in plastic tubes.
You have done the necessary first step. There's no use starting the next step until you have the search information in hand. When your books arrive, start at the front for each date listed, pull out your coins which match that date/variety/error and start the examination. Then, go on to the next date and so on. If you find something interesting, put in it a suitable individual holder and mark it for later re-examination and verification. Read up on minting procedures and the ways that worn or misaligned dies can produce non-error errors that might look like real errors.
