Hello Everyone.

Rhubarb · Senior Member

Hello to everyone, I have been reading your post's for a couple of month's trying to learn more about die varietie's.

I have been collecting for 2 year's now and until I ran across coppercoins.com I had no idea that certain error's occured.

I collected Lincoln Cent's until I found 4 bag's of 1960 D and now I have little knowledge at what I'm looking at. I have hundred's of 60 D that have Cracked Skull's and Crack's running N-S and E-W on his shoulder. I use this site to try to identify them. So far trying to go back and forth to the computer it is very cumbersome to figure out.

I wanted to introduce myself and say thank's.

David

ldarrellc · Senior Member

Let me be the first to say welcome to copper coins. I am Darrell I am the craziest one here. But If you need help I might can help you or steer you in the right way . lol and also the die cracks and die chips dont usually bring a premimum . That is unless you make a deal with Dick (He comes to the forum) then there is no tellin what you will get for them Razz

coppercoins · Site Admin

Hi David,

Welcome to the site and forum!

One thing I may be able to provide to you that will help is that cracked skulls and other die cracks are generally considered minor errors. The focus of this site is on die varieties - doubling in the design of the die that strikes the coins. This includes doubled dies, repunched dates and mintmarks, and over dates and mintmarks. In other words, you won't find much information here on die cracks and other errors.

Rhubarb · Senior Member

Thank's Darrell and Coppercoins. I only mentioned the Crack's because I was told they were a PUP for certain die varieties, I still have a lot to learn and so far this is the best site I've found, and plan to hang around and learn as much as I can.

On your 1960 D listing's on error's http://www.coppercoins.com/lincoln/dietype.php?date=1960&die_mint=d&die_type=mm&page=0

this is the page's I have been using. I have found this site very useful and full of information. I am only seperating the coin's by the different mark's that I've seen on this site, vs. finding the coin.

I will post picture's as soon as I fugure this great website out.

Thank's again,

David

ldarrellc · Senior Member

the only coins that I know of that have die cracks has markers for a double die variety is some of the 2006 lincoln cents. I may Be wrong there may be others out there. But I am pretty new to all this to. You will find some good plp here on coppercoins.com the greastest site around.

coppercoins · Site Admin

Over half of the known die varieties have cracks or clash marks at some stage in their production that can be used as die markers.

The important thing to remember is to find and collect the valuable die varieties without centering attention on the cracks and other common anomalies caused by the minting process. In other words, collect the cracks because they're on doubled dies (or whatever), but keep only a few of the nicer examples of 'just' cracks.

I have seen a large number of collections that contained page after page of machine doubling, die cracks, and other damage that the collector spent years to assemble...and none of it worth anything more than novelty value. What I want people to do is focus on collecting the challenging coins with the reward of value for them or their heirs. So, if I sound harsh about your new find being a worthless coin, take it to heart. I've seen plenty of people burn themselves with a lack of proper education.

Rhubarb · Senior Member

Coppercoins,

You don't sound harsh at all. I hope that the question's I ask aren't lame or repeated but "Proper Education" is the only way to go. I don't have the Variety Book's yet and I'm still wating for them. You can be as harsh as you want to but I'm here only to learn and not waste my time on certain coin's that are not what I think they are. Thank you for your advice.

David

coop · Expert Member

Welcome aboard Rhubarb. Don't worry about asking dumb questions. I find it worse to assume something and find out later you were wrong. I've been down that road before and ended up with egg on my face. So fire away. There are a lot of subjects covered, but if there is an unknown area, ask. The didn't subjects are covered in an orderly pattern so ask your questions in the right areas.

eagames · Expert Member

Welcome David,

It's good to see someone new getting onboard!

My first input is think about 3 terms:
Varieties (mostly real doubled dies and RPMs)
Errors (cracks, strike doubles, clips, off centers, etc)
Damage (scratches, dings, anything that happens after strike)

Probably only varieties and major errors are worth attention.

Your 60-D bags should be a good start. Some thoughts are:

First see if your 60-d bags are small date or large date. That limits what you should look for. (most bags aren't mixed with both)

One thing about bags is they're often only maybe a dozen+ different dies in each bag so you either find nothing or a lot of one or a few varities but look close you might find some single variety stragglers in a bag.

To search the bags:

First I would look up the known double dies for SD or LD whichever you have and search for those. If you see an unlisted one put it aside for later study.

Second I would search looking at the mintmarks and put aside anything that might be an RPM. I wouldn't try to group the non variety (RPM or DDO) ones based on markers, they're just normal ones with some marker.

Third I would group the RPMs since you may find several groups of one type based on the RPM and markers. Then I would use the site to try to ID each group of the same RPM.

Out of 4 bags you'll probably find some good varieties and a good number of the same ones.

Good luck, hope you tell us what you find!

Dick · Expert Member

David, I too welcome you to the greatest site in the world! You want answers, here is the place to ask. But remember: There are NO DUMB questions! People tend to be a bit shy when it comes to trying to "educate themselves" in a new, or different field, or hobby. We all have asked the same questions you are asking, and will be asking in the future.
Now for an opinion, and only my own! If you like "cracked heads", go for it They aren't worth any particular premium, but they do look pretty good, when every hole in the album, is a cracked head! The more spectacular, the more interesting, (to me). Then there is the MN quarters! They are a collection goal, in themselves. Thanks, but, no thanks. If you need any help in any particular area, I would suggest: Chuck. The owner, and in my opinion, the most qualified attributor on site. Then Go with Coop, for photo help. He is "Mr Photoshop". Bob, the administrator, and Moderator, among other things, can guide you in most any area you wish. In addition, there are many more who I do not know, that have their own area of expertice, who I have not had the pleasure of their acquaintance, yet. I too, am very new, (just another newbie). Don't let my numbers fool you. They represent an old man who has found a whole new world of PEOPLE, who will share all their knowledge in a common field. Enjoy it, I do!
Dick

Robert · Senior Member

Welcome aboard, David/Rhubarb!

Just wanted to say that:

1.) I believe you're using this site *exactly* in the manner in which it was intended. Good for you, and congrats to Chuck and Bob P. for their foresight!

2.) There are a *lot* of knowledgeable people on this board. Don't be shy... ask all the questions you want. That's the main purpose of the message boards.

3.) Good luck, and happy hunting! You never know what you'll see/learn/find when dealing with a bag of unc cents, a magnifying glass, and a bunch of knowledgeable, like-minded people.

Gabe · Senior Member

Welcome David!

If I had a bag of 1960D I would mainly focus on the RPM, and not even worry with doubled dies. I know that some collectors here will dissagree with me, but with 1960Ds, there are too many RPMs, and not enough doubled dies to peak my interest.

Again, welcome to coppercoins.com

Steven · Expert Member

Welcome David,

I think you are going to find this site very educational. I know I have.

Steven

murphy · Senior Member

Welcome aboard David. You are on the right track by using this site to further your collecting interests whether they be hobby or professional. In either case you want to continue to be on the right track and by announcing your presence and taking part in discussions you take another step in the right direction. You have brought out as we all have that Chuck and Bob Piazza have the most informative site for penny variety collectors on the whole internet. For that we owe them much thanks!
One thing I would like to ask is do you have a good coin magnifier? We would all be lost without a good loupe or some kinda magnifier that allows us to view the different varieties that we seek. If you or anybody else reading this needs a good coin loupe you can email me at murpht@insightbb.com and I'll help you out with that. Good luck Rhubarb.

ldarrellc · Senior Member

hey Murph,

Does that mean if we have one or dnt have one Twisted Evil