OK...Is it just me, or are some of these Double Dies almost impossible to see? I mean, I go through rolls of pennies and pull out dates with known DD's. After looking at roughly 10 of these things through a loupe, I really start seeing things that aren't even there. I find myself looking at reference photos...going back and forth...looking for the elusive 2006 DDO. My mind can REALLY play tricks on me. All I can say is this...I actually know what I'm looking for...these people that find them in the first place deserve a medal for actually sighting them. Am I the only one that begins to see things after the 5th coin? Does it get any easier to detect these things after time and practice? Should I just give up all together?
In my opinion, if I can't see the double die easily with a loupe then it isn't worth my having! I agree with you on the starting to see things after a while. I think when you find your first real double die it will stand out VERY clearly under magnification.... at least I know mine did. Good luck with the hunt, Jake
There is some great info on doubled die coins and other mint errors at: http://www.minterrornews.com/news.html Hope this helps!
What magnification loupe do you normally use? I try to use a 20X Is this enough magnification to catch most DD's? Maybe I'm not using a loupe that's powerful enough.
I use an assortment of Gem Loupes for searching coins! The main one is a 5x-10x with two lenses, the second is a 17x and the thirs is a straight 10x. I also have a Mini-Microscope for when I really need to get down to the nitty-gritty of inspecting some coins. Lighting and decent Loupes are the keys for finding Doubled Dies and other Errors and Varieties! Incorrect lighting can cast shadows on the coin which appear as if the coins is a Doubled Die. I like the large diameter Loupes for the initial searching and use the smaller, more powerful Loupes for making sure that what I see on a coin is actually what I thought. There are some minor Doubled Dies that are so subtle, that you virtually need a Microscope to detect the doubling. Frank
I agree with you on the stupidity of a double die needing an electron microscope to see it. Check out coppercoins.com There you will see coins enlarged to the point of showing double dies or such that I could never find. True if you start looking with a super magnifier you'll start seeing things that may or may not be there. I don't waste time with stuff like that. If I can't see a double die with a 4 or 5X power glass, then I move on to something else. If I want to see lots of double dies I just increase my Martini input.
Yes, I agree wholeheartedly. Most all Double Dies can be seen with any combination of a 5X Loupe and a Maker's Mark on the rocks.