Is this an error or PMD? Also, is it just me or do I see a small cud on this nickel above the s in pluribus?
I'm going to post this on ALL of these threads from now on - numismatics is NOT about throwing big magnification on common coins in search of errors, really it's not. I swear.
I'm saying it's merely a tiny sliver of the numismatic hobby at best. You'll do FAAAAR better looking for coins WITHOUT flaws than those WITH them. Honest Injun'.
V.K.B. - you're right - it seems like many on here are using more than the normal 10X or 20X to specifically find 'something' on their coins. Most are, if not outright damaged, simply minor minting anomalies. There's nothing wrong with looking for them, or at them, to learn about the minting process, and how to tell a damaged/altered coin from a mint error or anomaly, but based on the numerous photos we see, they can't tell a coin with a hole drilled into it, and/or flattened by a hammer or vise. That's a good thing to learn how to discern vrs. an error coin.
The more magnification you put on a coin, the more glitches you will see. These are not perfect creations.
Note: The following is not directed at you, Cheech. @USCoinCollector42 Like Mr. Weinberg said, if you can't see an error under a maximum magnification of 10x-20x, then you shouldn't be looking for them. Unfortunately, too many people are looking for the "mother lode" when they don't have the faintest idea what a normal coin is really supposed to look like in the first place. To them, every little scratch & ding viewed at 50x-200x becomes an error. Chris
If I can't tell you what and where in the minting process the error occurred, to me, it's not an error. (Until someone else tells me I have a blind spot and explain how it happened anyway)
For errors I hold in mind the 1955 DD cent. Now that one you can see without magnification. If an error requires strong magnification, have at it, but they will never hold much interest for the coin community as a whole. This is my opinion.
I didn't use magnification to see either of these... There are very obvious raised lines on the quarter and the nickel is less obvious, but still viewable with the naked eye. This could just be because I have good vision, but both these coins looked off to me.
You are absolutely right, and many coins can look "off" and sometimes these are mint errors that are sought after and sometimes they are PMD (post minting damage). Never hesitate to ask.
Welcome to CT. You need to have made a certain number of posts/replies before you can upload images. When you are able, I suggest creating your own post in the appropriate forum as this is a dead thread from 4 years ago
