ARE WE WRONG ABOUT MACHINE DOUBLING ?

wavysteps2003 · Expert Member

Machine doubling; the effect that looks like (faintly) die doubling but is not. Its the thing that happens after the strike and is not total consistent. The "error" that all (experts) have told us is not worth more than the coin itself and yet, take a look this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1969-S-LINCOLN-CENT-DOUBLE-STRUCK-VDB-ERROR-RARE_W0QQitemZ260034591766QQihZ016QQcategoryZ524QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
1969-S LINCOLN CENT - DOUBLE STRUCK "VDB" ERROR - RARE!

Why do people pay an outlandish price for something that is not worth but a cent? And if they are a person who specializes in this type of "error", why so much for a date that is well known to have this effect?

For those of you with an answer to this quagmire, I would like to know why. THANKS.

WAVYSTEPS2003 aka BJ Neff

lucky2 · Veteran Member

BJ That is a very good question which has bothered me for 40 years. From what I know machine doubleing will cause scrape marks. On Many coins called machine doubleing I see no scrape marks but just a clean apparent extra strike cauese either by the working Die or a Hub. I have never collected these as bucking the system has always seemed fruitless but I would hope someone someone day can take the reigns and chase it down.~lucky2

Gabe · Senior Member

The reason why people are paying ridiculous amounts of money for those coins is because they think that those coins are true doubled dies.

People are buying these coins without having a clue about what they are buying. Thats why they get burned.

coppercoins · Site Admin

Gabe is right on here...the people that pay big bucks for them have never taken the time to search through coins to find out exactly how common these things are.

The reason why the VDB looks different in machine doubling is because it is incuse. You are used to viewing machine doubling in relief. It takes on a whole different look when it's incuse.

coop · Expert Member

The rest of the coin is machanical doubling, even the VDB. Unique about strike doubling is that not every coin that is MD is exactly the same way. So look interesting, others look obvious as to having MD. I'ts just the effort used in the scam that works for the coin pirates bilking money for coins that are worth what is marked on the reverse of the coin. Learning is the tool that will keep you from being the next victim or crying child as being taken on a ride and his money flys off the other way..........................

eagames · Expert Member

When you see a crazy price paid for strike or machine doubles it's often 2 cluless bidders fighting over the item, this one was mostly 2 bidders.

They're always coins like 69-S that do have a rare variety and tiny picture listed in the redbook. The newbies get confused. They don't bother looking for info to see the 69-S is used as the example of worthless strike errors shown in the CPG and even on PCGS web site.

The worst ones are when they list a coin like this or lesser variety of something like a 72 DDO or poormans 55 and quote price guides like PCGS for the real big varieties.

I still wonder why someone pays big bucks without knowing about the variety.... "I always wanted on of them, what is it anyway?" Maybe they're non collectors with a redbook thinking they got a bargain to re-sell. Sad Sad Sad!!!

Steven · Expert Member

I knew I was holding on to this one for some reason.. Laughing

Steven

Bob P · Site Admin

I think we should stop beating ourselves up and getting upset at other people's expense. We can only complain so much. We can only educate so much. We can only keep getting angry so much.
You and I all know that as much as we try, we can not control what is happening on the auctions. For those of us who have maybe saved someone from an expensive mistake, then consider it a small victory.
I mentioned this in another thread once. When we try to convince a potential buyer that what they are getting is considerably different than what they think, and they STILL buy the item (whether there is a caveat or not), then sometimes we just have to let them go. At that point, I believe they and their money should be separated from each other.
I know we all get angry over this stuff, but some times folks...you just gotta let it go.

JRocco · Veteran Member

I like to put aside pieces that have strong machine doubling. Not because I see a premium for them, but only because they are a "free" variety to me. Some are really bold and others are just ---different.
Here is one coin that I love. It shows bold strike doubling, but only on the date/MM and the rest of the coin is clean--go figure how this one could have happened.
http://forums.collectors.com/include/uploadbox/viewfile.cfm?files=57dMDcoin%2Ejpg
http://forums.collectors.com/include/uploadbox/viewfile.cfm?files=57dMDcoin1%2Ejpg