This does not involve any personal finds but is more or less a shout out to those you who do collect errors & varieties. It seems we are a niche group for the most part and tend to be the geeks of the forum when we post minor finds. We are not going to get rich most likely but we do have a lot of fun, but sometimes get heckled for it. It is a fascinating hobby and one which I started back when Frank Spadone published his first book. Mr. Spadone tried something different in publishing his book and his intentions were good. A lot of mistakes to be sure but he was heckled right out of the hobby for his efforts. I would personally like to congratulate @Heater for his due diligence and persistence as he has added quite a few new "Discovery" finds to John Wexler's listings. And without the efforts of others like Brian Ribar, Marilyn Keeney, David Egeland and so many others Wexler's listings would be a whole lot shorter. Many here turn a blind eye towards this or often make inappropriate comments that are really unnecessary regarding our fun with errors and varieties. "Trolling" comes to mind. And while I realize that not everyone who posts a coin they think is an error without doing more homework, everyone here started at the beginning at whatever they pursued. So to all newbies and YN's who might want to pursue this line of numismatics, keep up the good fight, do not get discouraged, because there are those of us here who will help in as positive a way as is possible. I've been doing it for nearly 50 years and I have enjoyed myself immensely.
i don't think error collectors are looked down on for the most part. I think it just there is sooooooo many small variations that are so insignificant, it can be daunting to the average coin guy. I personally get eye strain 2 rolls in. But hey, collect what you like.
Collecting Variety coins is so rewarding...not knocking others whom fill albums as at one time I too filled holes in a series collection . But searching for varieties is like so exciting . Not just the find but the journey itself. It does take some doing....research , reading, and most of all training your brain to remember all the different varieties found in all the different series . I sort of think of it as the difference of being a medical doctor and being a veterinarian . Some may laugh......but to become a vet there's what 4 more years of med school compared to a GP. That said I would trust a vet over a GP any day as just think about the knowledge a vet must absorb compared to a regular doctor. Now I'm not a Vet or a doctor but I do love the research as well as learning . I enjoy the hunt as much as pulling the trigger. When you have a discovery coin" I've had 3 so far" you made a find no one can take from you. Even if you never make a discovery you sill are on the hunt to find those ddo's-ddr's, the mpd's,and rpm's.....don't forget the omm's and over dates! Are we nerds?.....maybe.... I like to think of us variety collectors as that part of the hobby that explore every centimeter of a coins surface searching for a new world find. So more so explorers who can be a tad bit nerdy.
Nice @Paddy54 write up. It is indeed the endless hunt. I am also filling in the holes in my albums but this is so much more fun as one never knows what one will find, unlike knowing a specific date to go into that album. I just cracked the first roll of a new solid date box of Lincoln Formative 2009P's. In the first roll I have found 8 WDDR-046 and 6 of another doubled die I have not yet attributed, maybe tomorrow. In addition most of the rest of the roll were reverse Trail Dies at the left foot with a die crack at the obverse head. @Rick Stachowski, maybe I will crank up the Stones tonight or a little A.C.-D.C. while I start my next roll.
Thanks Tommy..... Just a word of advise to the readers of this thread.....if needed.... I do advise that you see a proctologist over a veterinarian ,as the glove they use... up to the shoulder is a tad bit of an over kill.
Imagine.. I have only shown all of you only about 40% of my collection! I have enjoyed being able to contribute to the Mint Errors forum very much! You guys... and gals are awesome!