I am becomming a error coin fan. What makes a coin error valuable? Is there any sites where errors are sold. Cannot seem to find the right sites for errors. I only find sites that sell them but no good info on what to look for? Thanks for any answers
A good way to start would be to get yourself a copy of the book Strike It Rich With Pocket Change, 3rd Edition, by Ken Potter and Dr. Brian Allen for $19.95 at your local bookstore or on line. It has a lot of information about error coins and will also tell you about sites where error coins are sold.
Another place to check is completed auctions on ebay. Just be aware that there are lots of supposed error coins sold that aren't really errors on there. You have to know what's an error and what isn't.
Not exactly! An error coin, like any other coin, is worth only as much as someone is willing to pay for it. Micro, you might want to check out Fred Weinberg's website. He is one of the more prominent error coin dealers in the country. http://www.fredweinberg.com/inventory/index.php Chris
Micro, are you asking about "error" coins or "variety" coins or both? I think some of the replies are assuming variety ( such as doubled dies, repunched mint marks, etc) and others are assuming errors like " capped coins, wrong planchet, clipped, etc.) I agree that value seems to be a "known" supply and demand relationship. You may have the "only example " of an error, and figure it should be worth several million because or rarity, you may only get an offer of a couple of hundred or thousands if that, because if one happened, others may also. Variety levels are usually well known and prices tend to be more stable and predictable. IMO. Jim
low supply and high demand make a coin valuable. Same is true with errors. Take a rare struck through grease error. Not worth much because no one really collects them. But you'll see them on Ebay all the time. Words of wisdom - more than half the 'error' coins on ebay are crap. research research research. I suggest that you find an error coin you like on ebay, and one that you'd consider buying. Then post the link to the auction on here and getting opinions. Help establish your learning curve without shelling out money.
Examples of errors It is these type coins I just cannot pass up, which keeps me looking for errors. The zinc ones had to be damage before copper layers. But I do look for all types variety etc. Orderd the book of Ken Potter's Make I Rich w/ Pocketchange and am all over the web site Weinburg's site. I do get aggravated with Ebay and do not go there often. I like referencing with Heritage and sites as such. Big Thanks to all that helped me along here!!!!
I see you have what looks to be a nice cud in that pic. If you're interested in cuds, I'd suggest The Cud Book. Here's the supplement: http://www.keysquality.com/downloads/2001supplement.pdf I'm not sure if that's the whole book or not, maybe it's an update to it. Either way, it's 87 pages of cuds and errors. Also, if it's varieties you're interested in, The Cherrypicker's Guide is a one stop shop.
cud Thanks for the website ...going thru that reminded me of my favorite cud (lost front pic of front) but anyway it's just an example. Thanks!!
It is a 1905. What do you mean by 'doesn't look familiar?' This has been in the family since 1905 so it hasn't been featured anywhere, is that what you mean?
Most common cuds are pictured in a few books i have. I can recognize most of them, but didn't recognize yours. Interestingly, there is no picture from a 1905 Indian that is exactly like yours (although there are a few that are similar). Thus, at least by my sources, you have yourself an undocumented cud. That doesn't mean it is valuable, though, there just aren't many collectors of these things.
If I may ask, would this cud be worth documenting and how would I go about this? Or do I send it to get graded? I find errors fasinating. Thank you for your input. I just received Strike It Rich by Mr. Potter today so I will hopefully learn more about errors.
This 1905 wouldn't make it into a problem free slab, and would cost as much to slab it as it is worth. Probably not worth getting it slabbed. You've done the first step of documenting it by posting a pic on here. I recommend The Cud Book and looking through the free online supplement to it --> http://www.keysquality.com/downloads/2001supplement.pdf. I believe there are instructions in there on getting it documented. Please let us know that goes if you follow through. welcome to the hobby! PS, you can easily find retained die cracks on the copper nickel indian cents at coin shows that aren't even noted by the dealer. They are almost always on the reverse - some big, some small.
Thank you for all you advice and the time you put in on answering my questions. How long have you been doing the errors? You seem very knowledgeable. I found the supplement helpful and will refer to it often. As a "coin hunter" of all types I find the errors are hard to pass up.
Fred Weinbergs & Mike Byers and others professional experts in Numismatist world is my Co-Member on errorworld since 1999 but this error world chatroom of Jim was phased out by yahoo. So I can recommend to visit this website of Mikebyers..http://minterrornews.com/ or www.minterrornews.com or Visit the COIN FACT Encyclopedia/Errors http://www.coinfacts.com/error_coins/double_denomination_errors.htm Here's my Best examples of a Legitimate Double Denomination Errors- The Most major Dramatic of all 11c.
