Things to look for (varieties, silver, etc.)

Hello guys,

I have a habit of looking through pocket change for anything significant but I decided that it would be much more efficient to have a list of things to look for and put aside.

This is what I've come up with so far (I'm talking about US coinage btw):

Cents:
1960 small date
1969-s ddo
1970-s small date
1972 ddo
1982 small date
1983 ddr
1984 ddo
1992(denver and philly) cam
1995 ddo
1998-2000 wam
2009
wheat pennies
proofs

Nickels:
2005 speared buffalo
1950-d
pre-1950 (I know they aren't that valuable but I like to save them anyways )
2009
proofs

Dimes:
Any silver
2009
proofs

Quarters:
Any silver
proofs

Half-dollars:
pre-1971
NIFCs
proofs

Dollars:
1979 near date
1979 & 1981 clear s
cheerios (detailed tail feathers)
Goodacre presentation finish
wounded eagle (FS-901)

Am I missing anything? Any contributions would be greatly appreciated and I can share the final list when I'm done with it.

 

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Lots of state quarter and dc quarter errors
winconson, dc, minnesota, just to name a few

 

dollars: cheerios, Presentation finish, speared eagle

 

All 2009 denominations are sparse around my neck of the woods.

 

Good one- I added it to the list.

 

Cents 1969 S DDO 1970-S small date 1982 Philly small date
Nickels 1939 Philly doubled Monticello 1942 horizontal D 1943 over 2 1943 Philly doubled eye 1945-P DDR 1949 D over S 1954 S over D 1955 D over S
Dimes 1919 DDO 1942 over 41

 

Dollar coins 1979 near date, 1979 clear S 1981 clear S

 

Instead of such long and often complicated lists, perhaps it would be better to simply possess the necessary knowledge to properly identify the different types of varieties (or errors if the case may be).

 

The point of the list is just to know what dates to set aside to look through later. I agree with you on the knowledge part but the list is simply to enhance the process of sorting through change.r I don’t want to miss something if I’m pressed on time and lets face it- nobody can remember every single variety off the top of their head. With the list, I can pull it up as a quick reference and then sort through whatever pocket change or loose coins I have.

Trust me- I fully agree with what your saying. A collector that relies on others (this forum for example) to identify varieties (all those threads of people asking about small vs large dates) isn’t a true numismatist.

 

Cent 1965 double dot reverse
Quarter 1964-D reverse C
Nickel 1939 with 1938 reverse

 

Nickels and dimes, but, pennies, quarters are easy enough

And all halves from 2002-NOW, sacagawea dollars from 2002 to now, and pres. dollars from 2012-2016

 

cents- 1988 reverse of '89, 1995 DD0

 

The point was that there's no need to try to remember "every single variety off the top of [one's] head" or a single variety at all. Understanding how to properly identify the different types simply allows one to cut out the need, but you're certainly right regarding this path not allowing for quick searching.

Perhaps @ziggy9 would be so kind as to share his story regarding the discovery of a very significant cent variety?

 

@USCoinCollector42

No offense intended, but I agree with Books. Just browsing through the suggestions given to you by others might drive you crazy. Some of them are vague, inaccurate or just a waste of time. Too many people are looking for a quick, easy way and there isn't one. It takes time to learn about numismatics.

Chris

 

anyone interested can read about it here...
http://www.numismaticnews.net/article/zinc_1982_cent_host_to_new_doubled_die

 

Awesome. Thank you!

 

At my age the process of remembering no longer works all the time. Having a decent library of hard copy books is always my best friend. And where there is not sufficient books on what I like, there are plenty of web sites to refer to. A little of this and little of that and an apple a day. I do wish, however, that John Wexler would do a book on the 2009 Lincoln Cent errors. Wishful thinking I fear. He does have enough info at this point and I do not think all that many new varieties will pop up at this stage in time that it would need a second edition anytime soon.

 

1982-d copper small date

 

Although 1982 small date and 1982 Philly small date cents have been mentioned (although I'm not sure why), you're absolutely right and even if the odds of finding one is exceedingly tiny. Good catch.

I suppose we could also add 1983 copper as well.

Still, I can't help but to wonder if this is a good example of where the cherrypickers guides would have their greatest value. Considering they're essentially a listing of the winners of a value/popularity contest and this seem to be what the OP is looking for, it would only make sense.

 

I don't find finding 1982 Philly small dates to be very hard. Although I am missing the 1982 Philly small date zinc, which is the rarest survivor (not including the 1982-D small date copper Unicorn). I read they had problems with the early zinc cents which is why there aren't many 1982 small date Philly zincs left.