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 Replies: 26 / Views: 3,075 |
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Valued Member
United States
165 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
601 Posts |
Hey Lucleus- Serious question. Do you have any die variety books?
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Valued Member
 United States
165 Posts |
I take it that I have alot to learn? Any suggestions?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
601 Posts |
Yeah, absolutely. And I want to help.
First- A copy of one of my favorites will cost less than $10. Is that a manageable expense?
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Valued Member
United States
165 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
601 Posts |
On the front page of the Forum, Bobby1313 was kind enough to post a price comparison of "Strike it Rich with Pocket Change". Get a copy- There is edition #1, #2 and #3- they're not separate books, each edition has the same as previous plus additional varieties. So #1 is far cheaper, and nearly as good.
This book will teach you A LOT. Read it like you're a kid with a flashlight and comic in bed. Pick up $25 or $50 in circulated pennies. Start searching! Don't post your questions- (hear me out all the way on this).
Instead- put everything that you're curious about in a separate pile. When you DO find a significant variety, you'll be able to point to it in your book. And you absolutely will come across treasure if you look enough and know what you're looking for.
When you've gone through at least 5,000 pennies (far more is better), look back through your "?" pile. You'll discard many of what you may have though was something when you started. A decent book and hands on experience will truly teach you more than anything you can find on a computer.
Next pick out the most interesting coin- you will probably find something that IS worth asking about. And ask your questions. BUT- base your questions on the knowledge you've learned. You'll find that you'll have a warm and welcome reception on the forum.
In the meantime, also LEARN from the forum. This is not a free attribution website. It's an opportunity to learn from others. God gave us one mouth, 2 ears and 10 fingers.......follow my drift?
I want to help you because your passion and excitement is clear. And that desire is the MOST IMPORTANT tool you can have. You can be great at this- but it's going to take time. Several years, and MANY books. I am eager to see the one coin you come up with to show us, really- I'm excited to see what you learn.
Books are a resource that a cherrypicker can't do without. Websites are incredible for many things, I'm a big fan of many of them. BUT- there's no substitute for being able to point to the variety on paper and know you absolutely have what is listed. No substitute.
"The Cherrypicker's Guide to Rare Die Varieties" is also an incredible book for beginners to advanced collectors. If it's in the budget, don't hesitate to get both. Last thing that I swear by is a 16x doublet loupe. Doesn't need to be a high end glass, just the chrome style metal and glass loupe. Costs under $15 and is priceless.
I've said a lot- can you agree that this is a reasonable path to travel Lucleus?
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Valued Member
United States
165 Posts |
I appreciate the advice. I will use it wisely. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions about this coin?
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Valued Member
United States
165 Posts |
Why does the 1 in the date have a split on the top and bottom? The line inside the loop of the 6 is nothing?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
601 Posts |
Go ahead- I can only answer questions I know the answer to- I won't blow smoke.
I also can be blunt. Don't be offended if I "insult" your coin. This isn't personal, it's passionate.
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Valued Member
United States
165 Posts |
Whatever it takes to gain a little wisdom.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
601 Posts |
I'm pretty sure I can see what you're referring to- 1-There's the appearance of north-south doubling on the 1 2-Can't see clearly enough to know, but I think I'm familiar with what you're describing on the 6 3-The appearance of east-west doubling on the 4 Here's one scenario- Strike Doubling on the 1 and 6 and damage from a coin bankwrapping machine on the 4. Here's another- Contact mark on the One, even on both ends is not unusual. Erosion doubling on another part of the date There's lots of possibles. What's not possible is to have doubling on a doubled die in 2 separate directions. What else isn't possible is to give definitive diagnosis with low quality photos. It's not a matter of knocking your photos, it's just fact. Frustrating, I know, but just not possible. When you buy Strike it Rich, READ the chapters- they are more valuable than any coin you'll find. Then focus on what is ALREADY discovered! You can't buy your first bicycle and decide to ride across the country in the same week. You can't buy a medal detector and expect to find the Lost Dutchman's Mine immediately. You can't pick up a loupe and decide to find new varieties!! I see a lot of members who are newer to the hobby attempting to "discover" new varieties. You know who finds new varieties? People like Joseph Koelling, who is credited with the discovery of the incredible 1991-D DDR. Amazing coin. I'll bet my last penny that Mr Koelling has easily looked at several million pennies. BUT- He's taken the time to buy reference books, learn how things work. And advance his knowledge and cherrypicking skills to the point that he doesn't need to ask. He'll tell you what the next amazing find he comes across is. How do you think he can tell you what a discovery is? Sorry to drone on- Just look for recognized varieties. They're the ones that sell for money, that's what treasure hunting is all about for me. And along your journey, you'll be amazed at what you teach yourself. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
565 Posts |
liveandievarieties I must say you gave some sound advise. Keep it up! You are a great asset to this community. Between you and coppercoins I have went back and hit the books. It is the best investment I have made in my coin collecting journey. The books really help soooo much. Thanks to both of you.
Tracy
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Pillar of the Community
United States
601 Posts |
Thanks Tracy!
Sometimes I can spend too much time on here, but when I joined the forum, I made a deliberate commitment to try to help.
The world of die varieties has been incredible to me since jumping in and selling full time. I really want to "give back"- I know that sounds soooo benevolent, so big of me. But I mean it. I've had success that still makes it hard for me to believe that everyday, this is my "job", selling coins.
Growing up, in the way of references I had Ken Potter's COINage ads. That's it. No kidding, I cut them out, lined them up and started searching for the varieties pictured. I know it's comical, but it's true.
When the Cherrypicker's Guide came out, I was addicted. I annoyed every coin dealer who couldn't give a crap, and still doesn't. I'm still addicted. It's a terminal disease we all share.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
Liveandie-Lucid,sound advise. Tell my daughter all the time "I'm not that smart" "The secret to learning anything is to read all you can about it!" Then of course put it into practise.
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Valued Member
United States
165 Posts |
I understand you completely. You definitely have my respect. I must confess that I'm more of a hands on type of guy. I will purchase these books, but there will still be questions. Whatever there nature. As far as the pictures go I will get better, I promise. Some tips would help greatly. I'm not looking to find a new error/variety. Just posting what I find and trying to learn on the way. Thanks for letting me pick your mind.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
601 Posts |
I'm totally a hands-on kinda guy too- that's why personally, I want a book to hold and feel, somewhere I can to to and have the exact info I need. You can't compare that to an online experience. Cherrypicking is all about hands on. Questions are good! It shows you're learning. But if you keep asking the same type of question about different coins, I'll know you're not reading, and not learning. I can't wait to see your knowledge and understanding grow. Please! Share with us, remark on what you all of a sudden clearly understand. But be sure to continue to grow. If you pick through thousands of pennies and come back with PMD, I'm gonna ask for my time back! Questions are always awesome, understanding has to come along with it. |
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Replies: 26 / Views: 3,075 |
Posted 03/25/2011 8:03 pm
