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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,507 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1454 Posts |
To each his own, of course, but I never understood the allure behind collecting error coins. Would it be correct to assume it simply boils down to owning something truly rare and unique? Or maybe it's just the oddity of it? To me, it's like buying a cracked vase or a half completed painting. A recent poster had an improperly minted penny that reminded me of the time I put one on the railroad tracks, something every juvenile delinquent should do at least once is his dissolute childhood. Maybe it's the difference between preferring perfection over distinctiveness. Da Vinci vs. Dali, maybe? I assume an error coin "could" have a certain je ne sais quoi about it, depending on if the error somehow enhanced the overall beauty of the coin; I just haven't seen one like that, yet. I suppose it's no different than what I collect. Most purists, especially in the US, hate colored coins, and I can't get enough of them.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
First I do not collect errors coins. I do like the varieties in some series...i.e. overton and sheldons Quote:
Da Vinci vs. Dali A very subjective view of "perfection". While DaVinci and the Old Masters were perfect at a Realistic representation in there medium. This fact does not lessen the "perfection" of say an impressionistic interpretation of the play of light on its subject. Or the interpretation of an abstract artist like say, De Kooning, What does this have to do with collecting error coins? Like you said, "to each his own." Beauty and "perfection" are the prisoner of individual opinion. Cheers! Edited by amida17
04/04/2012 11:03 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1454 Posts |
Should have known not to use the art reference. Not my bailiwick ;)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
In short, the allure boils down to a government mint allowing flaws into circulation.
Die cracks, die chips, recut dates and the like do not count. They are not flaws.
a "FLAW" is a coin which should not have passed quality control -- BUT IT DID.
If the crack on a vase were caused by the owner dropping it, it is not an error.
But if the firing process in the kiln caused a crack, well, it is an error.
A chacun son gout - to each his own.
Edited by matthewvincent
04/04/2012 11:12 pm
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Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
lets go a little off coins: lets say the Beatles White Album has a certain price, but what if they found some White Albums where the name was only printed as "Beatle". Would you consider those albums as errors to return for one with a correct name, or would they have a premium because of the error/novelty  |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
There is a great deal of philosophical difference between a Mint error, and contrived post mint damage.
Stamp collectors would agree. Error stamps are usually valued by stamp collectors at a much greater factor compared to normal than error coins are, by error coin collectors. Nevertheless, some error coins can have great value.
A much more comprehensive knowledge of the minting process is gained by understanding how a particular error came about. The unusual has always engaged human curiousity; be it in the natural world, the scientific world, or, in our case, the numismatic world.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
 I'm sorry.... thought maybe I could drum up an art discussion... Actually, I pretty much agree with you. Errors do not really intrigue me either. with this exception.... Quote:
A much more comprehensive knowledge of the minting process is gained by understanding how a particular error came about Well said.... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3670 Posts |
I can see the appeal of a cool corner error fold like the one on Pawn stars that was appraised at 2 grand. They have great eye appeal framed correctly....
The next piece that comes to mind that would be too cool to own IMO, the confederated counterfeit note that Frank an Mike found for the civil war museum on Pickers....
That is the one case when a counterfeit bill is highly collectible and rare and sought after....
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1454 Posts |
Quote:
I'm sorry.... thought maybe I could drum up an art discussion... I immediately knew you had me at a distinct disadvantage, sir. Before my ignorance of art became even more apparent, I broke free of that bear trap as quickly as I could extricate myself. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
Silver....you watch too much tv....no offence.... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3670 Posts |
That is true Amida17, where do you think I pick up all this worthless info, lol....
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Moderator
Australia
16830 Posts |
The attractions of error coins, as I see it, also include:
- The rarity factor. Back in ancient times, when coining methods were pretty low-tech and quality control virtually nonexistent, "error coins", particularly things like mis-strikes, misaligned dies, planchet flaws etc, are actually much more common than perfectly struck, well-centred examples. Errors are still for the most part sold at a discount compared to perfect coins, especially if the "error" has obliterated a significant detail such as the name of the emperor or city that issued it. But modern mass-produced machine-struck coinage comes out of the mint 99.9% perfect; it's the errors that are scarce.
- The "gotcha!" factor. Error coins should not exist, in the sense that the mint's quality control processes should have eliminated them. The few that slip through indicate a failure of that quality control. Owning something that the government never intended to exist appeals to some people. Others may be comforted in owning a piece of evidence that their government, in one small way at least, is indeed human and fallible.
- The education factor. Studying mint errors can add to the knowledge of the coin minting processes. This is especially useful for minting and coining systems which no longer exist and for which records are scarce or ambiguous, such as ancient and mediaeval mints.
- The mystery factor. Unlike regular production coins and especially unlike modern NCLT "products", the number of error coins actually in existence is largely unknown.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Valued Member
United States
318 Posts |
Cause it gives you a warm squishy feeling when you hold it. Think of all the other things people collect; stamps, baseball cards, classic cars, beanie babies, painted plates. Whatever is fun to own because you like to look of it, like learning about where it came from and how it was made, or you enjoy the company of other who collect the same stuff.
I used to collect shiny metal things I found on the ground. Nuts, bolts, sockets, coins. Things with some possible worth or use, not gum wrappers or bottle caps. I'd keep them in little bowls and coffee cans. I never even noticed myself doing it until one day a friend saw me pick something up and put it in my pocket. He said I was like a crow, saving anything glittery. Who knows why I did it? I've cut down on that a lot.
Now I collect coins, anything that I can get for less than retail or under spot. I like looking through my collection and thinking "heh, got that for 20% under spot" or "saved 4 bucks a piece on those".
Error coins are just another thing to collect. Not my thing, but I do have a few.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4008 Posts |
I have a copy of the Beatles album under the Veejay label. Supposedly, it is the only one that was not put out by Capitol Records. Maybe I should see if I can convert that into some extra silver?  As to error coins... I don't collect them and am not fascinated by them but I can see how others might be. I would think that in most cases, their numbers would be very small and the coins so affected quite rare. |
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,507 |
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Posted 04/04/2012 11:06 pm
