Ways to Spot an Error in Coin Collections

How to Spot an Error in Coin Collections

Spotting errors in your coin collections or maybe in
everyday pocket change is easier than you imagine.
It’s rather profitable and fun too. You just have to
follow the different steps carefully a couple of times
so that the impulse of checking out every coin you
receive will become a habit. These simple instructions
are productive and proven methods of locating the
different coin errors and varieties of die circulating
inside your pockets and other people’s pockets.

There are three important tools though – a magnifier
that can be seven times stronger or more, at least
three to five dollars worth of usual or old coins and
a very keen and watchful eye. Follow the sequence
below.

1. Sort the denomination. If investigating for errors,
always group your coins in batches. Example, gather
your pennies on one side, then your dimes at the
other, then your nickels, and so on. Eyes are very
keen observers and so seeing one type joined together
will let the brain memorize its features and angles so
that you can scan faster. When you go to the next set
of the same type of coins, your eyes and mind will
collaborate and do the same scanning, determining and
saving. It will be easier on your part to point out
even the slightest difference with this kind of
grouping.

2. Examine inscriptions. Look at the obverse lettering
of every coin. Do you see anything unusual or odd
about it? There are several instances wherein doubled
varieties of die show doubling effects in just one
part of a word. Polishing, greasy dirt collection or
die abrasion can cause the failure of letters to be
inscribed perfectly on the surface of a coin. Upon
turning the coin on its other side, look at it
carefully from every angle. Inspect for special
oddities like doubling, missing letters, etc. that can
be found in its inscriptions.

3. Look at the mintmark and date. Focusing on these
mintmarks and dates should give you a better idea on
what to look out for. These marks belong to the most
valuable mistakes that you can most likely find in
circulation. Several issues can be concluded in this
part of the coin because of repunched dates and
mintmarks, various kinds of doubling, overpunches and
a lot more.

4. Examine the portrait. Portraits are the major
aspects that are most likely to acquire some
strangeness in its proportion. When examining it,
consider every angle as a whole. Can you see doubling
that is quite obvious? Observe for important missing
elements, cuds and die cracks. Focus your attention on
the portrait’s ears, chin, eyes, and mouth and look
for any signs of doubling.

5. Feel the edge. That would be difficult. But then
again, what you can do is to roll the coin on the
surface of your palm to examine if the edges are the
same. By this method, you’ll see the edges clearly and
you’ll be able to point out any lines, seams and
reeded edges that are missing.

6. Separate odd ones. By doing these simple things,
you can become an expert in coin inspection and
printing out certain errors in only a matter of
seconds. Once you have determined which among them are
odd, examine them thoroughly under a magnifier
supported by very good lighting.

By being adept to these, you can easily spot errors in
your collections in just a matter of minutes.