Look through your loose change for valuable error coins
The passion of error coin collecting transcends normal coin collecting. Error coins are very rare. Mints make it a point not to release errors into circulation, which makes finding one a very exciting and rewarding experience.
What are error coins? Quite simply, they’re mistakes made at the mint during coin production. Tight controls make it a rare event for errors to make it into the public. Several coins, over the years have made it into circulation. And more people today are educating themselves to look for these elusive coins.
Today, there are plenty of opportunities to find error coins for sale, from online auction sites to specialized coin dealers. You might even find error coins in your pockets. Some families even make it a fun activity to search through their change for errors. Here are pointers on how to search for error coins:
- Throughout the month, place your loose change in a container.
- Set aside time to go through your change for any errors.
- Separate the coins by their denomination and have a helpful image of the front and back of the coin next to each section.
- Use a reference guide with images of types of error coins to help identify any potential errors you locate.
- It’s important to have at least a 7x magnifying glass or loupe on hand to examine your coins.
- You don’t have to spend a lot of time searching your coins for errors. Any potential error that can’t be seen quickly with a magnifying glass probably won’t have much value.
- Set aside any coin that appears odd for closer examination later.
Before starting your search for U.S. error coins, it’s a good idea to educate yourself on the several varieties of errors. A good guidebook like Strike It Rich With Pocket Change by Brian Allen and Ken Potter would give you a clear understanding of the types of error coins and their value. Just to name a few of the popular types of errors:
- Off-center coins: An error where the coin is struck partially on the coin blank, showing only a portion of the coin design.
- Double die coins: An error where the coin is struck by a die that has a doubled image on it. A 1955 Lincoln penny with a double date on the image is an often cited error coin.
- Clipped coins: An error where the coin is struck on a coin blank with a portion of the metal is missing. The clipped area of the coin will be shaped like a crescent moon.
Most error coins will fetch a few dollars with online auctions sites and collectors. But occasionally, you might find a sought after one that can be worth hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
Tags: coin collecting, error coins
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admin | May 14, 2009