Publisher's Synopsis
The contents of this book have been written with 60 years of experience in numismatics, education and research, membership in coin clubs, authoring articles for coin magazines, and contributions to ANA. There are many books available for this subject, however, our guide is written by a lifelong collector with the accreditations to quality as a numismatist.
On-line Coin PresentationsThere are many catchy internet coin presentations enticing collectors into thinking about finding a million-dollar coin. Unfortunately, this is not likely to happen. We set out to provide collectors with actual search results. There are errors that are overlooked because detection involves using a hand-held magnifying glass. A find of a 2019 DDO Lincoln cent yielded $250 at auction, graded as MS66. Misinformation
Incorrect information about error coins is commonly found on the internet. This guide references all error coin types with descriptions and photos. Included are photos of doubled die and RPM coins since 1909. Included in this guide:
Error Coin Definitions
Lincoln Cent Varieties
Common Lincoln Cent Errors in Circulation
Interesting Error Discoveries
Lincoln Cent Profiles
Lincoln Cent Error Values
Lincoln Cent Error Photos
Variety Coin Photos
Die Creation, the Minting Process, and
Distribution
Glossary
About the Author
Appendix A - Doubled Die Classifications
Appendix B - Roll Searching Data Error Coins Searched
Error coins from searching over 300,000 circulated Lincoln cents have resulted in the discovery of more than $3,000 in valuable coins. The most common errors are a die crack, filled letters and numbers, and die chips. Die chips are defined as small, raised, small pieces of metal-less than 4 mm in diameter-frequently located near stress points. Die chips are typical inside mintmarks, and chips are common on the 2017-P Lincoln cents inside the mintmark. A die-chip issue resulted in the change from the 1960 small state to a large-dated Lincoln cent, according to our research with the US Mint. Common Errors Located in Circulation with Photos and Descriptions
BIE Die Break
Counter Stamped
C Die Abrasions
Cracked Planchet
Defective Rim
Die Chips
Die Cracks
Die Deterioration
Double Rim
Lamination
Misaligned Dies
Missing Details Interesting Error Coin Finds
Photos of error coins located from circulation with descriptions of the error. Tools for Error Detection
There are thousands of error coins and varieties in circulation worth hundreds of dollars. Errors on coins are not always apparent, and others are difficult to see without magnification. A hand-held microscope, a weigh scale, PowerPoint, and a large screen monitor provide the collector with the best tools for error coin searching. These techniques allowed us to find the 2019 DDO Lincoln cent, which was graded as MS66 and yielded $250 at auction. Collectors can identify transitional error coins with a weighing scale. The mint standard for the weight of a copper-coated zinc Lincoln cent is 2.54 grams. The standard weight of a copper cent is 3.11 grams. The valuable transitional error coins that could still be circulating are the 1982-D and 1983 copper cents. Life Span of a Coin Error Coin Photos
The photos in this book will help identify the modern-day error coins in circulation. Additional Information
Included is an appendix describing the types of doubled die errors with photographs.