I've seend ads and such in places like Mint Error News from some of the Big Dealers who say they only deal in True Mint Errors. Of course these are the one's that they can charge five didgits for. Of course most of us can't afford a MS 66, double-struck, off-center, full DDO with Reverse Clash Marks, 1799 Large Cent struck on a Silver Planchett, graded by PCGS on the first full moon of the new year. So what are True Mint Errors, and what is everything else? Myself, I feel that anything that slips by quality control, is an error. Granted, though pricey, I can see why alot of the current Die Cracks and Doubling don't constitute Errors in some folks minds, but hey, I like my Buffalos with cracks on them. (I preffer my Buffalos chopped and stewed with potatoes and carrots, but that's a different story.) Is there a classification system for Errors? Ie... Class 1, Double struck, Brockage, Class 2, Die Doubling, Class 3, Machine Doubling, Class 4, Die Cracks...etc? Maybe there's no need for a classification system, but it would sure help me understand things a little better. All in all, I still buy what I like, and if this month I like Die cracks and Off-centers...Then that's what I buy. I guess my point in all this centers around my last statement. So who cares if your little error coin isn't a $20,000. rarity, you must have liked it, or you wouldn't have bought it. Now...Hype, on the other hand, can get to even the most seasoned collector. But that's another article for later...
What a lot of people call errors, are not errors at all, but varieties - like die cracks. And then there are those that people call errors and their not really accepted in the numismatic community as errors worth mentioning or that have little or no value because they are so very common - like machine doubling. If you want to learn about erros and varieties, and how to tell the difference - try doing some study at the links you find - HERE
