How Long Did It Take You To Find Your First Lincoln Cent Error?

ijn1944 said it very well, and I agree.
John1

I agree with ijn1944 as well. Errors and varieties bring different images to my mind. (think dogs vs. wolves- both are canines).
To the op's question, I feel fortunate to have come across a dramatic doubled die within the first 3-4 months when I resumed collecting in 2013. Those rolls of wheats I was buying must have been somewhat unsearched to come across that 1917 DDO.

Another category of collecting is well struck early die state coins as mentioned by atticguy. I'm going to guess AG has been a collector a very long time, and goes back to a time when they were more readily available. His area of collecting is highly desirable and what most collectors "OOOO and Ahhh" over when they learn to appreciate high quality coins. But it takes patience and somewhat deep pockets to compete for those "perfect" examples since they will not fall into your hands after buying a cup of coffee. He probably won't find a high quality early die state coin for his collection looking through bricks from the bank either. But that's ok, because he is happy with his system and collection.

Errors and varieties can be found by most people with the patience and diligence to search everyday coins. Nobody likes to spend weeks looking at boxes of coins with nothing to show for it. To keep my mind occupied and spirits up in between error or variety finds, when I can the find time to search, I usually separate my copper cents from the Zincolns.