PMD Or PMDon't?

I try to state my opinion and also state that I'm not an expert when I'm not sure.It lets us practice our skills.I agree that I've seen many posts where opinions were given as fact and I don't think that is the correct way to do it.I also advise to wait for more opinions.It is especially important with new members.

I'll just add this too: I've heard a few people here ask why some are only searching for whats ALREADY been discovered, and it really doesn't make sense. Why not open your mind up to what nobody has found yet? Might be surprised at what you get-

It's also pretty funny because those same people who back their responses with actual knowledge are the ones asking that question. That question kind of hit home for me, and I was thinking the same thing when reading the posts of the people who were only looking for things from a fixed point of view.

You know whats funny, I've gone through spurts of smaller coins at extended periods of time, and have to run out somewhere. I get sooo focused at examining them that I didn't even notice that the really strong light I used was reflecting into my eye (light bouncing off the coin through the loupe into eye) made me look a bit stoned lol. I'll get a couple weird looks from people if I make it to the store quick enough before my eye returns to normal hahaha.

And then I'll move up to larger coins after I get too frustrated by trying to see really small details of dimes/cents/etc..

Now...HOW to get educated...

First, as others have mentioned here and in other posts - books. There are a plethera of books out there that in one way or another properly describe the process of making dies and planchets that come together to make coins. Read them, understand them, and study them.

Second, if you have interest in a particular area (die varieties, errors, specific error types, doubled dies versus repunched mintmarks, etc.) BUY some known examples from reputable sources that are listed in books and USE the actual coins to re-read the books, compare to the pictures, and burn the image and knowledge into your brain. Until you've seen the real thing, you can't possibly appreciate completely just how easy it is to tell the real stuff fron the junk...the real doubled dies and mintmark varieties from the Machine Doubling...

Third...save everything, then go back through it. Go back through it with known examples, comparing everything you can until you SEE the difference, because it IS there. We don't just make this stuff up as a wild goose chase for you to forever be confused about. Once you see a real doubled die or two and compare it to a couple hundred examples of Machine Doubling, the difference is painfully obvious. Once you see a half dozen genuine clipped planchet coins the fakes will be painfully obvious.

Fourth...in saving everything - save the coins you had to go to the trouble to photograph and upload and ask about to know one way or the other. The coins that confused you can be the best tool you ever have to learn from. Take the answers given, note them someplace with the coin, and use that information as your library. You get TONS of free advice and knowledge right here - USE IT! If you photograph and post an example of Machine Doubling here and someone tells you it's Machine Doubling - print the thread, hole punch it, stick it in a binder, number the page, save the coin, number the holder with the same number, and study them together later. This could be the most valuable piece of advice I give ANYONE here.

Fifth - make sure your environment and tools are right for the job you're doing. Sitting in a half lit room with your grandma's magnifying glass and a 200,000 candle power spot light is NOT the right way to be looking for these things, and WILL DAMAGE your eyesight. Get a nice loupe or a simple microscope, proper lighting, proper seating, and start looking...but STOP making the excuse that you can't afford to do it (for those who have). If you want to be involved in this hobby, there are expenses that MUST be made to get started - end of story.

And finally...true die varieties and errors are SCARCE! Do NOT expect one in every roll of coins, and don't convince yourself that the most odd coin out of every ten MUST be something worth keeping. I can go through a thousand coins easily and not find ONE thing worth keeping. I can also go through a roll and find 30 coins worth keeping. It's all a matter of chance beyond a little knowledge in where to look and what dates generally are better salted with keepers. Additionally, on this point, if you ARE finding keepers in every roll, they probably are NOT keepers. Die cracks, minor die clashes and Machine Doubling can be found in just about every roll of coins searched. This means they are ultimately VERY common and VERY non-collectible. If they are THAT easy to find, they aren't worth squat!

Chuck, something tells me you had this bottled up for a while....lol. Clarity is a gift you embody. Thanks.

The "Six Steps of Coppercoins" (above) is excellent and has been printed out a posted on the wall. The hard part for someone like me is where to start. I had already decided that I needed to buy a Lincoln doubled die or two if I am ever to be able to recognize one.

In regards to the original question - yes, there are some inaccurate responses. The ones who do know for sure are usually quick to follow up with a correction, and hopefully the ones who were simply guessing are learning right along with the one who originally asked. Most people know that everywhere you go, there are varying degrees of expertise - they don't usually leave here directly after the first or second response.




Excellent




And that is a great idea. When you have something in your hand and can look at it and compare, it really helps.




Experts disagree all the time. The difference is their opinion of something is based on facts. Nobody is perfect, but an expert (on anything) gets much closer to the truth than someone who does not have that much knowledge.

Many people without the necessary knowledge base their opinions on their emotions; what they hope or want something to be. Sometimes when that is not the case and they are told differently, those emotions get the better of them. If they would stop and look at the facts/explanation, and how the given answer was arrived at, many times they would understand why what they were hoping is not possible or just wrong. It's not personal - it's about the coin.

And even if that expert is wrong after discussion with another expert - it's still not personal! The pursuit of knowledge of these coins is why we discuss and ask questions. It's why experts and teachers explain until they are blue in the face (or have sore hands from typing). At the end of the day we may understand these doubled dies, Mechanical Doubling, or post mint damage better, and that's what it's all about.

Wow, xshift, thank you. You stated your point (the one I was attempting!) so well, clearly. The point about emotion is so well said, it's been a long time since I've felt that frustration and gave me new perspective, I'm fairly new to the forum aspect of our hobby. I can clearly understand a bit more around here with that insight. Thanks.