Imperfect and Error Coins

Question....while browsing through my coins, you and I may discover coins that are imperfect.

So why doesn't the numistasic society define a new listing. Imperfections.

Not all coins are perfect. While most of the "Errors" may be simple errors, such as a double strike, or grease. On the other hand, there are coins that are visible to the naked eye, very visible, such as clipped, blanks, obivous double stamped, etc.

There is a strong definition that can be defined between imperfections and errors.

I know that I am completely new at this, but as I read and see, there seems to be 'errors' that are not as important or undesirable for collectors, then there seems to be "errors" that are very desirable and very collectable.

Why not sub category them. It will give enthusiasts like you and me a new "collection" to obtain and talk about?

 

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To be perfectly honest, imperfect coins are so common that you would spend the rest of your life classifying and attributing them, and that is only if you skip showers and meals.

Chris

 

I think the majority of "imperfections" would be seen as PMD, in which case would not be worth any value to most collectors. What exactly do you mean by imperfections?

Going along with what he said, no two coins are exactly the same so I don't know why anyone would want to tackle such an endeavour. In that case any single coin on this planet could be labeled imperfect, because every coin has their own unique mark/s, no matter how microscopic they may be.

 

Well, I agree, as I browse I find PMD, but what about my thread I posed, the question about the nose on the dime. It seems as though it is unimportant. And to most, it probably is an unimportant dime. But what if this small piece on his nose, is just a simple 'imperfection' . Why not have a category (sub) where this dime would fit into?

 

Going along with what he said, no two coins are exactly the same so I don't know why anyone would want to tackle such an endeavour. In that case any single coin on this planet could be labeled imperfect, because every coin has their own unique mark/s, no matter how microscopic they may be.[/QUOTE]


very true, no 2 coins will be always be alike. But isn't that one of the reasons why we collect?

Let me ask you: What "error" is worth your while and worth your keeping? How do you decide? Why?

 

Well your dime has a die crack, which isn't necessarily an imperfection. It is damage or an error caused at the mint from a die that broke or cracked in a particular spot. I'm not entirely sure if that's classified as error or not, but either way it can be seen as a type of damage caused by the mint. So to answer your question, it is either an error or damage. There really isn't a sub category for it, because collectors who collect errors look for errors, and if they find one that is not an error, most likely it will be classified as damage, either during its time at the mint or after the fact, and will be disregarded.

 

Error collectors look for known types of errors, specifically ones that are very rare and valuable. That is unless they enjoy a particular type of error regardless of it's monetary value. That being said you can keep any coin you want to if you like it, and no one will judge you for it. that is the beauty of collecting, it's all based on your preferences.

 

A die Crack is indeed a classified error. While maybe not a 'valuable' one, but it is an error none-the-less.
Because it may not be a sought ofter error, then why should it not fall into a categoty of imperfections?

Evil let me ask you again, What "error" is worth your while and worth your keeping? How do you decide? Why?

 

very true, no 2 coins will be always be alike. But isn't that one of the reasons why we collect?

Let me ask you: What "error" is worth your while and worth your keeping? How do you decide? Why?[/QUOTE]

I think that is like asking a question that begins with "What IF.."

to ME, I look for doubled dies, RPMs, trail dies, off center..something unusual. I am not as lucky as some of the guys are the board so I end mostly buying one here and there. As for if it's worth keeping,
there are a few variables that I use. For example If I got so lucky to DDO/DDR I would keep it no matter the condition, now if it's an RPM or a trail die then that is a different matter. Condition, Type of Error, Rarity play a part as to if it's worth keep or not but that is me..

 

I want a little more clarity on what it is exactly it is you're talking about when you say imperfections. I can't think of any errors or imperfections caused by the mint that don't have a name.

 

jallengomez, from what I have read and seen, both here and on the web, I agree. All errors have a name. From what I have gathered, IMO, not many of these mint "errors" are deemed worthy of keeping. Referring to the 1 post, the dime with the booger on his nose (Die Crack). It was opinioned that I spend it.
While this error is not a "major" error in most collectable's eyes, it is still a noticable error, or perhaps, "imperfection"

I understand that no 2 coins will be alike, and whilst most coins will have some sort of blemish on them.

It seems to be that while some scrutinize over a double ear, or missing mink mark, or die cracks throughout the coin is summed up as valuable. A simple yet noticable die crack, as mentioned-above could/would be an imperfection.

Some of you may feel that I *might* be making a mountain out of a molehill, granted I may. I started this thread only to see what kind of reaction and intellect would come of this. It was not done as a farce, just to put the thought out there and see what would come of it.

Redifing the coin world in terms of errors and imperfections would 99.99999% would never arise, but I just wanted to hear other peoples thoughts and opinions and takes on the matter.

 

What you call imperfections are actually already divided into thre sub-catagories. Errors, Varieties, and post mint damage. there are further sub-catagories for each if these.

Varieties include catagories such as Doubled Dies, Close and Wide AM's, and virtually anything outside the normal that shows on ALL coins pof a specific die pair.

Errors would include most of what you have listed. Die Cracks, filled dies, dropped letters, clipped planchet, wrong planchet, etc., virtually anything that occurs at the mint to just one or a small percent of the coins created by a die pair.

Post Mint Damage has a sub-catagory i call "Who cares". It didn't happen in the minting process and is not nimismatically significant.

There are people who collect only clipped planchets or only off center coins or any of the other possible errors and they consider that to be their catagory of collecting.

Richard

 

You answered it yourself, because it is already a classified error. There is no need to put it more categories than that. It's either an error or it's not. The only other categories there are, are what error the subject falls into. I don't see a need to classify a coin imperfect because in essence you are talking about every coin ever minted. That is just too broad and can mean anything, especially since what you are explaining is already classified as error or not. I don't really see anything in between that. IMO

Anything that happened at the mint is an error, but as I said some people only collect valuable ones they can turn for profit, I collect for enjoyment so if I find an error i will keep it as long as it is a verified error. If I think is it an error and it turns out it's PMD then I don't want it unless it is appealing to me in some way. That's how I decide.

 

Here's some reading material for you to peruse, Lara.

The first link is for some Canadian coins. (Somewhere in my bookmarks, I have some listing of other Canadian coin errors and varieties but you'll have to give me a couple of days to find them).

The other links are mainly U.S. but there are a few with Canadian errors.

Be warned, some of these errors are amazing and may cause you to drool all over your keyboard.

http://www.coinscan.com/err/error.html

http://doubleddie.com/144822.html

http://koinpro.tripod.com/ErrorVarietyList.htm

http://www.dvnmagazine.com/Die_Variety_News_Issue_21.pdf

 

If I am interpretting you right, value and desirability have nothing to do with a coin exhibiting an error or not. An error is an error end of story. The main determining factor of how valuable an error is, is how rare it is. Just because no one wants a particular error, does not make it an "imperfection", it is just a less desireable error. Sub-categorizing them would just be confusing since they already belong to a category.

 

Anything that is not already categorized or imperfections goes in the bucket. So that's what it should be called 'Bucket Coins'

 

lol Good answer rockdude!

 

Hi I found a £ 2 coin with a hole. A crest shape hole. Space between inside circular metal & outer circular metal. How can I value this coin? Can someone help me.

 

Pictures? Sounds like it might be a coin where the center piece was not properly centered in the hole of the ring when it was struck.

 

I have a quarter with a noticeable bubble, a wheat penny with one side blank, and a nickel with a clipped side. Any of these worth collecting worth collecting?