why are some die deterioration issues collectable and others not?

I posted a coin recently and it had doubling along the bottom of the eagle wings. This was very distinct doubling. I thought it was from die deterioration and that was confirmed so it apparently means nothing as far as value or collecting. The same coin had a small die crack mark and the comment on that was something like - nice die crack. So why is a mark from a die crack "nice", seems to be an error of sorts, and seems to have some value to others while very distinct doubling from die deterioration not "nice' or collectable? I thought the doubling was pretty neat.

 

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Because that was that persons opinion.
Each collector has a preference to what is nice and what is blah.. That doesn't make it a major collectible issue. It all comes down to a matter of preference for each person.

It may look neat but when it occurs because of die deterioration doubling or mechanical doubling it's not really a true acceptable variety.

 

Because die deterioration is extremely common, as it generally doesn't cause dies to be pulled from service. Die cracks eventually do, as that is the die starting to fail so they are much less common.

 

There're many collectors who think a die crack adds to a coins appeal. I am one of them. There're also many collectors who may view a die crack as a defect and avoid a coin that has one. How much a die crack may add to a coins value is debatable. I guess the value is up to the individual.
You state you thought the doubling added to your eye appeal. Thats fine too. Others may not be so agreeable. An issue that may arise is the resell-ability of the coin.
Bottom line - it's your money and your collection. Collect what you like. Happy New Year, enjoy the hobby.

 

DDD is very common and caused by worn dies. I think there are more worn die coins in circulation than not.

I personally find die cracks interesting but I’ll not buy them unless it’s a major issue, like a shattered die. They can occur anywhere at anytime. Somewhat common but not anywhere near as common as DDD.

 

I collect Jefferson nickels with die cracks as a side collection. I believe they will never be worth more than .05 cents, yet I love the hunt. I have boxes full of these die crack nickels and think the boxes are worth more than the coins!

 

But the coins are worth far more because they are valuable to you. Many non-collectors miss that point. Sentimentality seems to be a greater attraction to many collectors than the actual numismatic value of any coin. Show some of your die cracks! Display what you are proud of, not what someone else thinks. The HUNT is, by far, the greatest thrill of most true collectors. For me, I love to find an old Welsh or German coin simply because of my heritage. Doesn't matter what it looks like or what it's worth, it's my heritage.

 

When I mention worth, I mean cash value. As long as I am alive they are more valuable to me than $.05 because I found them. But after I am gone, cash value is all that is left. But I don’t collect for profit, I collect for fun. It is a hobby not an investment. — not that it couldn’t be both.

 

I keep all of the cracked die coins I find! I also keep coins with extreme mechanical doubling! I don't keep them because they have added value, but because I like them! I recommend all "collectors" do the same! It's the hunt that counts, whether hunting pocket change, rolls, coin shops or coin shows! Just enjoy the hunt and the hobby!!!

 

Please forgive the pictures I know they're lacking. What I want you to notice is where looks as though right under his nose the die broke and it went all the way over across his face and down onto his collar. There's also a doubling of his nose and his mouth because of it. I hope you can see it!

 

Die cracks for me tend to be more of a PU, they are cool to have, but not valuable to have unless they are paired with a known variety.
Great study tools to see the weakness of the die face.

 

I only care about cracks of they are bisecting or signs of a retained cud. I consider them common damage to the die otherwise. True doubling is on the die, not caused by the strike.

 

Used to collect them, now I don't. I try to stay focused on what is eye appealing and worthy. It keeps me from being a junk hoarder, so my wife says. Enjoyed the post, thank you.

 

Thanks for the replies. Explanations were good. I keep a lot of coins that I think are just neat because if I kept only true error coins that I found in the wild, I would only have 2 coins in my collection so far. I have learned so much from the boards here about coins!

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with collecting what you like regardless what others say/think. They key, however us understanding what you have. If you understand that die deterioration is common and is part of the normal process variability, collect them. However, If you think they are an error, or the members here have been giving bad info, and save them because you think they may be valuable or rare, well...you may get some unflattering comments.

Die cracks and chips are similar. They are common errors (still not easy to find) and there aren't many collectors who want to buy the minor ones. They can get them for face value by searching rolls. I still save most that I find, but understand that I may never get more than face value for them.

The more you learn about the minting process, the easier it will be to spot true errors and not waste your time chasing PMD

 

i, too like distinct doubling, where you can actually see doubling, most of the real "doubled dies" you need a microscope to verify. but to each his own, i would never pay more than 3 or 4 dollars for machine doubling, and that is usually on silver half dollars (40%) anyways..go to usa coin book or ebay there are plenty of em on there

 

i love die cracked nickels!!

 

USA

 

Die deterioration is not an error. Cracks are not errors.