As most of us know, many of our new fellow enthusiasts discover coins that look odd or seem to defy logic (e.g., worn on one side but not the other). The somewhat immediate designation is that it was made that way. Well...in a manner of speaking...yes. But generally not by the minting process (where authentic error coins are born). Here is the culprit for many of the coins we see. As you'll note, someone (yes...it was me) left 16 cents in a pocket and decided to launder the coinage. I periodically make these 'error coins' to put into circulation to baffle the new, potential coin enthusiast (actually, just a missed step in the laundering process). Here are the results of my oversight... As you can see, the cent that was trying to work its way to the great world below, didn't fair well. The dime did better but the nickel did the best. The side of the coin facing the outer drum did the best...no real damage. But the moving face of the coin bore the brunt. Unusual wear-and-tear. All contingent upon time in the washer. I've altered dimes to the point that a face no longer had details. Obliterated. Anyway, I thought I'd share my technique for entertaining potential new hobbyists.
I think a better way to entertain potential new collectors should be putting low value coins into circulation or leaving them near schools or something. (Wheat cents, no date buffalos, foreign coins.) I don’t see how making a fake error coin that will just disappoint someone when they find out would encourage them to collect IMHO.
I guess money meant more to my generation as I always made sure all of my pockets were empty and ready for the washer and dryer. I still remember grandmas washer. Once the clothes were done you put them through the ringer which sat on top of the washer. You did by hand what the spin cycle now does. The dryer consisted of hanging them on a line in or out side of the house.
Wow, intentionally destroying coins to set up a potential collector with questions. I can't get a grasp on that.
My maternal grandmother had one of those old ringer washers. My dad's mom had an old galvanized wash tub and a bona-fide washboard for laundry.
I spent a lot of time down in the basement helping my mom with her old wringer washer then carrying the clothes up to the outdoor clothesline. In the Winter they would be hung in the basement.
The 'error coins' I make are purely accidental...each get recirculated as general currency. If I don't check a pocket and there are coins floating around...they get laundered. See above.
@Kevin Mader I got that from your OP "...I periodically make these 'error coins' to put into circulation to baffle the new, potential coin enthusiast (actually, just a missed step in the laundering process)..."
That’s what I understood as well. We already have enough people posting damaged coins asking if they are errors, no need for any more! There are better ways of getting people interested in numismatics.
All good gentlemen. Indeed, there are too many coin casualties. So far, I haven't done that to a meaningful coin (i.e., a collectable I put into my pocket for some odd reason). Then the tears would flow... But I am a little curious about what eventually slipped through to the 'great beyond' underneath. The cent was rather wedged between the rotating and fixed drum and as I fussed with it, I almost pushed it to the great beyond. Another load of laundry and it would have been a goner!!