New Member as of 1/8/26

[MintErrors]

In the numismatic hobby there are at least two different types of collectibles.

Errors which are off centers, mules, die caps, die breaks, broadstrikes, strike throughs, wrong planchets, fold over strikes, partial collars and a boatload of others.

Varieties are typically repunched mint marks, over mint marks, doubled die obverses, doubled die reverses, overdates, repunched dates and misplaced dates.

Major Errors tend to be unique. If the condition exists on the working die, some of the condition might carry over to additional strikes, like a die gouge, die cracks, cuds etc.

Varieties typically affected the working dies and those can be duplicated. For example an RPM with an S over S or D over D, a doubled die (1955, 1969, 1972), over dates, over mint mark (D over S or, S over D).

[Ervin Carpenter]

Hi Gary,
Thank you for the valuable information. Could you define the word "Variety" as you are using it in your document to me. I don't understand how to relate that word to coins errors.

[MintErrors]

Hi, I am Erv Carpenter and I was referred to this site by Jim Wiles from Variety Vista. I have been interested in error coins for about five years and have been researching, reading and looking at examples of errors on the internet and reference books. It is all very confusing to me but I have learned a lot. However, I need more knowledge. I joined PCGS and CAC to grade some of my error coins, but it appears that PCGS, CAC and I have an altogether different opinion of what is an error. So instead of spending more money on grading non-error coins at a low grade I thought it was time for me to start getting other opinions before sending my coins in for grading. In the last five years I have found many error coins during my numerous roll hunts. Now that I am permanently retired, I have a lot of time to put into my passion of collecting error coins. I am very excited to be a member of CONECA.

In December I submitted a 2017-P error penny to CAC for grading which was returned to me graded an MS65RD but was not identified as an error coin as I was hoping. After speaking with CAC they stated that they could not ID the coin as an error coin because there was no category for that error so therefore, they could not grade it as an error coin. I didn't know that was a thing. My 2017-P Shield Penny will be the first error coin I place in the forum. Hopefully you members will be able to assist me in identifying a category to place this coin in.

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Welcome aboard.
In my opinion as a regular member of this forum, there are a handful of seasoned collectors who frequent this forum. They may offer opinions on coins depending on their time available.

Errors are getting exceedingly rare to find. Most of the major errors don't come from rolls. They were within US Mint sewn bags. These errors were not well centered and would break most paper rollers.

In 2002 the US Mint amped up their quality assurance and control measures. Hardly any errors escape the mint anymore. Prior to that, back in 1990 or so, the mint also added mint marks to the working hubs. By doing so, the made the possibilty of finding repunched mint marks extinct, thus getting rid of this variety. The mint does produce a few less dramatic varieties like a doubled die but the way they are produced in this new single squeeze era is different than when it was done prior to 1995.

I do tell collectors that do want to continue to find at least varieties like doubled dies and overdates, to venture out a bit and look at thecworld coin area. There are some impressive overdates out there that can date back to the 1600 through the mid 1900's. It depends on personal preference, budget and the time and resources available to find these varieties. You don't need to be rich to find these world coin varieties, just have some patience and a decent reference handy.

The third party grading services typically use several error and/or variety experts out there as consultants. If the TPG is stumped, the consultant is sent the coin, and they offer their opinion.

Most seasoned collectors can offer (or will avoid) their own opinions on why a coin by a third party grading service wasnt declared an error or variety. But, bluntly in the realm of reality, those opinions unless they come with conclusive evidence does not help much with possibly correcting the situation. Many a collector willvsay its a fight between the sender and the TPG.

Places like https://error-ref.com is an outstanding reference to narrow down the types of errors out there. The completed entries area offer an alphabetical list of documented errors (and some varieties) with photos. Its crucial to know the minting process and paying attention to whether it happened before the single squeeze era came to life, since things have changed dramatically in the coin production within the US Mint.

The problem with roll hunting is, most of the coins which enter circulation are subject to abuse both intentional and unintentional. A potential error coin which goes into circulation can lose value due to circulation as well as be damaged in a way to make that potential error coin very difficult to assess. Classic errors exist out there and should be easily identifiable like die clashes, cuds, die chips, die gouges, some improper collar strikes and a handful of others. But with the drought in major errors being available, people seem to be shifting to finding and collecting whats been available.

The new fangled microscope out there are helping revive the hunting, and finding errors and varieties but in a direction of super minor finds. These microscopes offer super high magnification and with that the minor finds look amazing under the scope but extremely difficult to see with a loupe or naked eye.

In the end, I believe people want the calm, relaxed atmosphere of collecting. Each coin out of a roll is like a long shot lottery which only costs the face value of that coin in hand. The hobby has many disappointments, but when a winner is pulled out of a roll or quietly cherry-picked out of a bargain bin at a coin show or bought online from a dealer who doesnt know that coin is a variety or doesnt care about them. The efforts are then renewed, revitalizing the hunt.

Happy hunting.

[Ervin Carpenter]

Hi, I am Erv Carpenter and I was referred to this site by Jim Wiles from Variety Vista. I have been interested in error coins for about five years and have been researching, reading and looking at examples of errors on the internet and reference books. It is all very confusing to me but I have learned a lot. However, I need more knowledge. I joined PCGS and CAC to grade some of my error coins, but it appears that PCGS, CAC and I have an altogether different opinion of what is an error. So instead of spending more money on grading non-error coins at a low grade I thought it was time for me to start getting other opinions before sending my coins in for grading. In the last five years I have found many error coins during my numerous roll hunts. Now that I am permanently retired, I have a lot of time to put into my passion of collecting error coins. I am very excited to be a member of CONECA.

In December I submitted a 2017-P error penny to CAC for grading which was returned to me graded an MS65RD but was not identified as an error coin as I was hoping. After speaking with CAC they stated that they could not ID the coin as an error coin because there was no category for that error so therefore, they could not grade it as an error coin. I didn't know that was a thing. My 2017-P Shield Penny will be the first error coin I place in the forum. Hopefully you members will be able to assist me in identifying a category to place this coin in.