Posted 10/13/2007 4:30 pm
First thing I did when I started searching rolls and bags was pick up a copy of " CherryPickers Guide" to rare die varieties . The first volume covers Half Cents to Jefferson nickels and describes each years known doubled dies and Re-punched mint mark and other varieties, with pictures and descriptions for each.
As for spotting these doubled dies and varieties, not always so easy. I start by trying to look at one denomination at a time so any abnormalities will hopefully stand out against all the "normal" coins. The CherryPickers Guide is invaluable to determine which errors and varieties you even want to look for.Some carry a large premium, like the 1972 Doubled die and the 1970-S Large date doubled die Obverse (described as the rarest variety of Lincoln Cent )
Try Coppercoins.com - if a variety of Cent is known you'll
be able to find it there.
To spot any of these errors you will need a magnifier of some kind, I prefer a jewelers loupe - 5-10X should be sufficient to spot most anomalies. Something a little stronger may sometimes be needed to confirm anything that might look strange since alot of doubled dies are very slight. I also keep cotton gloves handy for searching any uncirculated rolls .
A good light source is a must and turn the coins at different angles to the light, sometimes these things can only be seen in the right angle of light.
Most of all , take your time and look carefully at EVERY coin. I usually follow the same pattern for each coin turning to check for rotated die, then examine obverse and reverse.
Good luck searching !
As for spotting these doubled dies and varieties, not always so easy. I start by trying to look at one denomination at a time so any abnormalities will hopefully stand out against all the "normal" coins. The CherryPickers Guide is invaluable to determine which errors and varieties you even want to look for.Some carry a large premium, like the 1972 Doubled die and the 1970-S Large date doubled die Obverse (described as the rarest variety of Lincoln Cent )
Try Coppercoins.com - if a variety of Cent is known you'll
be able to find it there.
To spot any of these errors you will need a magnifier of some kind, I prefer a jewelers loupe - 5-10X should be sufficient to spot most anomalies. Something a little stronger may sometimes be needed to confirm anything that might look strange since alot of doubled dies are very slight. I also keep cotton gloves handy for searching any uncirculated rolls .
A good light source is a must and turn the coins at different angles to the light, sometimes these things can only be seen in the right angle of light.
Most of all , take your time and look carefully at EVERY coin. I usually follow the same pattern for each coin turning to check for rotated die, then examine obverse and reverse.
Good luck searching !
