Letteres and/or numbers filled in.

[carlb]

I collect error coins. I put them in 2x2's, then in those large 2 row, red or black, cardboard boxes they sell at the coin shows.
One thing I have a lot of in that mess are Lincolns Cents with filled in letters and/or numbers. 1957D is loaded with them. So many, maybe not worth saving. I got change from a guy at a coin show once and when I got home I noticed for change he gave me a bunch of 57D's, B in Liberty and 9 and D in date all filled in and all MS quality. Next time I saw him he said no big thing, never looked, not worth anything.
Now my question is why isn't this type mentioned anywhere? Are filled in letters and/or numbers so common that no one cares? Many, many B's in Liberty filled in. Many, many 9's in the date filled in. Is there a reason for that?

[coop]

Carl: Actually they are filled letters/numbers. When most people think of filled, they think of dies that are filled with grease creating weak letters/numbers/details on a coin on the obverse or reverse. The letter on the die is not filled, but actually the opossite. The die area making a raised impression broke off of the die leaving an area on the pattern, un-shaped during striking. Most of the time the wear on that area usually stops to when it reaches the outside area of a number/letter. Rarely it continues beyond this point as that outside edge of the area broken off is stronger and keeps the shape inside of the letter/number. The exception to the rule is the BIE cents which are caused from strong die clashes on wheat cents that leave the space between the BE on LIBERTY to erode away, creating a raised area looking sometimes like an I or a blob in that location. Again most of the time when the eroded area comes to s stronger part of the die, usually the letter beside it, it stops there and usually gets longer.
As for value, the BIE Cents in the 50-60 area were saved, but today we realized they are fairly common, so little interest is shown in them. So to with the so called filled letters/numbers, these to are view as common and viewed as they really are, a die in late LDS or VLDS. Few wish to keep them as most prefer to collect earlier die states EDS or MDS.
One of the items newbies bite on till they learn that they are not real collectables. IMOHO

[coppercoins]

[carlb]

[quote="coppercoins
We list doubled dies, repunched mintmarks, and over mintmarks of the Lincoln cent series. The purpose of the system and the site is to give identification to these coins, the die varieties. Very minor errors such as die scratches, chips, breaks, and other effects of using dies in the minting process are usually considered tolerable parts of the normal minting process and are considered normal.[/quote]
Just one more thing is not much mentioning of offsets. Going to a lot of coin shows around here I've noticed a fantastic increase in error coins. One dealer I've seen at almost every coin show has a vast amount of Lincoln Cents that are offsets. Some so minor it is difficult to notice. Others are extreame. Regarless, he is asking anywhere from a few dollars to some fairly large sums for these. I would think that such items would have been covered to some extent in these books. Of course attempting to cover all errors and varieties would probably make for a very large book.

[Bob P]

Carl,
I agree that trying to cover and list all these would require an extensive library. In addition, there is no way to really tell how many of them are out there. By offsets, I assume you are meaning off-center strikes? These are indeed very collectible, and I have many myself. One needs to remember that this site deals with varieties...not errors. Once everyone understands the difference between the two, then it would be easier to deal with. Right now, a lot of folks confuse the two.
Maybe, some day, some one will take on the task of trying to publish materials directly relating to error coins and their values. Until that time, it would probably be best to search the auctions and see some dealers to determine the values for these items.

[rollmeupabe]

Carl,

I have a cup full of errors. Everytime I come across one I throw it into the cup. I know most people would not be interested but there are people interested in almost anything. Just to test out the interest level I put one of my errors up for sale on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=014&item=330010952266&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

no bidders yet but I do have a couple of people watching.

[Steven]

I'll be watching I have a lot of those and would be interested in what someone would pay for it. Sure do like those 41's you have listed. I'm still hoping to find a 1941 1DO-002.

Steven

[rollmeupabe]

Steven, no buyers yet, but 4 watchers (hopefully lurking in the wings to make that last minute Ebay bid)

[Steven]

Hey rollmeupabe,
Woo...Hoo. $5.50 plus the $5.05 shipping. With 4 bids. I didn't think it would sell with no bidders for so long but I guess those watching were jumpin in at the last minute. I guess that means all those I have just went up in price

Steven

[rollmeupabe]

Steven,

Believe it or not this error coin went for a lot more than I thought while my varieties sold at low prices. I ended up shipping this regular snail mail with no tracking # so I saved the buyer $3.50. I hate charging high mailing cost on a small purchase.

The 1941 1DO-002 only sold for $49.99 which was my minimum price. I only had one bid on that coin and I thought it was in great shape. I thought it would be closer to the EF $75 level.

The 1952 D/S OMM#1 only sold for $9.99 which was also my minimum bid.

The 1944 D/S OMM#2 sold for $3.55 but that one had some environmental damage so I knew it was a long shot.

The 1941 1DO-001 did not even get a bid at $29.99.

I hope this is just a sign it was the wrong time of year to be selling. Either that or there are some bargains to be purchased.

[Steven]

rollmeupabe,
What suprized me more than the '43 selling at 5.50 was the buyer deals mainly in coins and currency with a 933 feedback. So it appears he's been around for a while. I thought the '41 1DO-002 would go for more as well.
The only thing I can think of that happened with your items was that people are just not educated enough about varieties and see an error that jumps out at them like a strike through, strike doubling or even some road kill coins that they think they are really getting something. If e-bay wanted to help educate the buyers better they could but then that would cut into their profits.
I guess part of the reason I have never attempted to sell on e-bay is I spend so much time looking for and trying to get the varieties I would probably be upset with the outcome. That and all the e-bay charges that go along with listing/sale. Although I may try it some day. I have a lot of coins I would like to sell.

Here is a little 1943 beauty that might bring a good premium but I don't think I could bring myself to part with it. Maybe throw this messed up 84 in as an added bonus coin.

[Bob P]

I can't believe you would throw in that awful looking 1984 coin with that beautiful 1943 Steven. I think you should just throw it away...immediately
By the way, I would be happy if you threw it my way
Seriously though Steven, that is a very nice looking doubled ear. I have one that's just as nice, and the market for those is beginning to creep up rather significantly. I think I will just keep mine though.

[Steven]

Maybe your right Bob,
I may just keep it