Newbii- Now what...?

[crismoid@aol.com]

So I: am new to numismatics, new to errors and varieties, a new CONECA member, eager to learn and willing to take a couple to the chin for the club.
So far I have read a variety of books including, but not limited to Alan Herberts seventh edition of ...Mint Errors, I subscribe to CoinWorld and I love the CONECA Online content!
Nobody's asked yet, but in my novice opinion, Errors and Varieties are where you find em!
Armed with all this (green) knowledge I go fishing in my own pond of proof sets, UC sets and some coinsilver (left to me by my father) and of course pocket change and lo', a handfull of die breaks/cracks, RPMs, all kinds of hub doubling, pivotal and whatever... well all that stuff just seems to jump right off these coins !!
OK ok, I'm old, need glasses and maybe a new loupe but now I have a new road to travel and I need help.
WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE ? Do I get them slabbed, how do I authenticate my find, do I take them to Sundaybrunch and share them with people my age?
I really dunno', but I am willing to listen to anyone whose gone through the process.
Oh and for the record, I am NOT a business nor will I become one.

[Steven]

Welcome,
Your starting out right with the reading and studying of the on line content. Photos are the biggest help when asking a coin question. Some times it is hard to define what you are seeing, to another, without a photo.
Again welcome.
Steven

[diamond]

Minor die errors like die chips and die cracks are quite common. Minor planchet errors like lamination peels are quite common. Minor strike-through errors and minor misaligned die errors are among the more common striking errors. In other words, it's not at all unusual to find minor defects in any pile of coins. They carry little or no premium, even in uncirculated condition. Sending them in to be professionally graded and encapsulated would be tossing your money away. The best thing to do if you're not sure what you're dealing with is to get a camera with a good macro setting and take photographs.

[wavysteps]

Hi and welcome to CONECA's forum. I would like to add something to what Mike and Steven said; check out the links section of this forum. It is filled with excellent sites that not only give very valid information but are loaded with pictures to help understand what is going on. This is particularly helpful to newcomers in identifying just what they have (and us old timers too). And of course, we are here to help also.

BJ Neff

[crismoid@aol.com]

Thank you all for your warm welcome and direction !