Welcome to the CONECA
Web Site! CONECA (pronounced: CŌ´NECA)
is a national numismatic organization
devoted to the education of error and variety coin collectors. CONECA focuses on
many error and variety specialties, including doubled dies, Repunched mintmarks, multiple
errors, clips, double strikes, off-metals and off-centers -- just to name a few.
In addition to its website, CONECA publishes an educational
journal, The Errorscope, which
is printed and mailed to members bimonthly. The Errorscope Online
Supplement offers additional information that cannot be fit or formatted
into the journal in addition to the CONECA online Forums, and Variety VISTA.
CONECA offers a lending
library, examination, listing and attribution services; it holds annual meetings at major
conventions (referred to as Errorama) around the country. Please visit our site and enjoy!
Homepage updated 05/09/2008
Recent Finds ...
Roll Search Yields Cud Cent
Photo courtesy of Charlie Fantasia
May 09, 2008 -- Charlie Fantasia, found the above shown 1983 Lincoln cent with a Major Die Break Reverse (Cud) while searching rolls of cents from his local bank. It is one of seven reverse cuds listed for the date and denomination by Sam Thurman and Arnold Margolis between their 1997 edition of The Cud Book and their 2001 The Cud Book Supplement. It is listed by Thurman and Margolis as LC-83-49R. Nice find!
In The News ...
Mint Estimates 47,000 AE '07 Reverse Type
May 05, 2008 -- According to a front page story in the May 12 issue of Coin World, the Mint has estimated that approximately 47,000 of the 2008-W Silver Eagles with the special burnished finish were sold to collectors struck with the Reverse of 2007. According to Mint spokesman, Michael White, the Mint was unaware of using the 2007 reverse on any of the 2008 Eagles until being advised of it by CW. CW was first notified of the existence of the variety by Georgia collector, John Nanny, who advised them of the find on April 15 after making note of it the day before. Apparently, Nanny is the first person on record so far to have noted the variety, preceding the NGC observations by about two days. White suggested that the 47,000 pieces minted of the variety represented about three shifts of production at the West Point facility. According to CW, prices of the Rev of '07 variety on the secondary market have been ranging from about $99 for certified MS69 examples to about $400 for certified MS70s.
In The News ...
NGC Confirms Major Hub Variety
For 2008-W Silver Eagles
The style of 2007 with serif-less lower U and pointed lower right vertical of
the N.
The style of 2008 with large lower serif of U and broad based foot of right
vertical of the N.
Also note the spacing differences between the N and I.
Images Courtesy of NGC
May 03, 2008 -- Numismatic Guarantee Corporation of Sarasota, FL has revealed the discovery of two different major hub design varieties of the reverse of the 2008-W Burnished Silver Eagle. The differences involve the design style apparently last intended for 2007 production found on 2008 dated pieces and a new hub design introduced in 2008. Early reports suggest, that for the most part, the 2008-W Eagles boast the new enhanced style reverse or what is being referred to as the "Reverse of 2008." The scarcer "transitionals" are being referred to as bearing the "Reverse of 2007." The variations are many involving differences in the style of characters, the size and spacing of the stars above the eagle, the distance of characters from the rim and from each other, the style of the tilde that separates the word SILVER from the word ONE and perhaps the most easily spotted differences between the styles of UN of UNITED.
"Oh, No It Ain't ...!"
"Oh, Yes It Is ...!"
by Ken Potter -- NLG
Photos © Ken Potter 2008
Hub doubling of lower letters of DIME.
Hub doubling on tops of ERIC of AMERICA.
Hub doubling of NUM of UNUM and lower oak leaves.
RPM#4 S/S/S NW & NE
May 03, 2008 -- Everybody makes mistakes
and the major grading services are no exception. Normally we do not
like to point out the mistakes of such entities cause it just "aint"
nice but since the ANACS staff that created this "error" no
longer exists (ANACS changed hands and hired a new staff a few months ago) we'll
consider the old staff fair game to aim our sights on. Here is a 1946-S
Roosevelt dime that I originally sold to one of my customers properly attributed
as Doubled Die Reverse #5 (5-R-II-C) - RPM#4 S/S/S NW & NE.
When the buyer submitted the fully attributed coin to ANACS
for grading he was surprised when it came back attributed generically for the
RPM as a simple S/S (with no designation that it was a triple S and no RPM
number assigned) along with a note that stated that it did not contain a
doubled die reverse. Of course this placed me in a bad light as the
submitter came back casting a suspicious eye on the attribution I had made and
it had to make him wonder about other coins I had sold him as doubled dies that
he had not yet certified.
After assuring him that what he purchased was indeed a
genuine and listed doubled die I asked to have it returned so that the issue
could be resolved by me personally. In the interim, the ownership of
ANACS changed so I guess I'm stuck -- but that's another story ...
The rest of this story is highlighted above in the images of
the doubled die and repunched mintmark that are present on this coin.
While lighter doubling can be found in other areas, the strongest doubling
evident is on ERICA of AMERICA, DIME, NUM of UNUM and the right oak leaves
above. It's not a monster doubled die but it is an obvious one to anybody
who knows how to examine a coin for a doubled die! The tripling of the
Mintmark is also obvious! So what happened at ANACS? Your guess is
as good as mine but it is obvious that they fumbled the ball on this one not
just on the doubled die but also on the status of the RPM!
The listing for this coin can be found in Richard's
Roosevelt Dime Review -- The Silver Years on page 70 (more info on the
book's availability can be had from Richard Bateson at P.O. Box 86, Grand
Blanc, MI 48439-0086 by sending a SASE) . Free-access to an enhanced
online version of Richard Bateson's book can be found here: http://www.richardsrooseveltreview.net
ANA Club News...
ANA Summer Seminar Classes
Feature Error-Varieties!
April 26, 2008 -- This year's ANA Summer
Seminar offers the mainstay class The Modern Minting Process: Error and
Varieties and two other related courses on the subject! The newest
course, which also happens to be the first that will be offered this year, will
be taught by CONECA past-president and 20th Century Die Variety
Attributer, James Wiles, and Coppercoins.com founder, author and
attributer, Charles Daughtrey. The second class is also taught by James
Wiles but for this class he will be assisted by current CONECA president, Mike
Diamond. The instructor for the third class is Lane Brunner, Ph.D.,
author and collector.
Join your numismatic family for the 40th Annual ANA Summer
Seminar, held on the campus of The Colorado College in beautiful Colorado
Springs. Session I dates are Saturday, June 21, to Friday, June 27; session II,
Saturday, June 28 to Friday, July 4, 2008.
Contact the ANA at www.money.org
to register!
Club News...
CONECA Schedules Errorama
For ANA's World's Fair of Money
April 21, 2008 -- The Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America (CONECA) has planned its Errorama celebration in conjunction with the American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money in Baltimore in July and August.
CONECA members and their guests are invited to meet at Mother's Federal Hill Grille on Friday August 1 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mother's is located at 1113 S. Charles Street, within walking distance from the convention center. An awards banquet will feature great food and drink, a presentation by Chris Pilliod entitled "A Guide to Understanding Mint Errors", and drawings for prizes. CONECA Board member and Errorama chairman, Al Raddi, said he hopes to have 50 or more members and guests attend.
More information can be found on the www.conecaonline.org
web site. Reservations for the banquet set at $30 per person can be made by contacting Al Raddi at
alraddi@aol.com.
CONECA's plans at the ANA Convention also include a club table where members may gather to talk and share their finds. A general meeting is scheduled from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday August 2, at the convention center in Room 319r. A
Cherrypicker's Award for the best error and/or variety found at the convention will be conferred in a meeting from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Room
318th on the same day.
Submitted by Al Raddi.
Members Share ...
Diamond Describes Neat Square Brockage
Commercial News ...
CONECA Member Launches New Website
April 26, 2008 -- A new website, operated by Denny Polly of Denny's Coins & Mint Errors of Nevada, TX began operations this month. It contains Mint Error material for sale and a basic Mint Error Education page with pictorial examples and written descriptions that Denny hopes will help collectors understand some of the basic minting errors and how they are created. Polly, a long-time CONECA member, hopes it will also encourage other non-error collectors to become interested and join CONECA as a result. He describes his website as a "work in progress; it can be found at http://www.dennyscame.com.
Members Share ...
Diamond Describes Neat Error Pair
April 09, 2008 -- CONECA President, Mike Diamond sent in a couple neat errors to show us all. He describes the first one (above) as "A heavily worn, double-struck Buffalo nickel. The first strike was normal while the second strike was slightly off-center. Both strikes show the same clash marks. That would seem to support its authenticity, as does the pattern of overlap between first and second strikes."
Images/coins courtesy of Mike Diamond
Second we have a wheatback cent struck through a split, capped die. The die cap left a late-stage brockage of the reverse design on the obverse face. The ridge fades out in the center where it joins a poorly defined swelling. It's probably a zone of die subsidence (sunken die), but it could represent an interior die break or a retained interior die break. Neat Mike! Keep 'em coming!
Recent Finds ...
Collector Finds Double Struck Dollar Error
In Gov. Issued Mint Set!
by Ken Potter - NLG
All Photos by Jeff Makkos
April 07, 2008 -- Jeff Makkos of Ohio reports finding a Double Struck 2007-P James Madison dollar in a government issued Mint Set. The type of double strike involved is what errorists refer to as an In-Collar Double Strike with Rotation Between Strikes. The cause may be due to two different scenarios. The first possibility is that the coin was first struck normally and then reentered the coining area falling back into or over the collar where it was forced back in by a second strike in a position rotated just a few degrees away from the original strike. Another possibility suggested by CONECA president Mike Diamond, is that coin remained in the collar while the inner sleeve of the collar broke loose and rotated within the collar resulting in the same effect. Because a coin normally expands in diameter ever so slightly upon ejection it is often difficult for it to completely reenter the collar. Makkos' coin does not show a partial collar indicating that it was either forced all the way back in during the second strike or could have been in a rotating collar.
Makkos found it in a 2007 United States Mint Annual Uncirculated Dollar Coin Set that contains the four 2007 Presidential dollars issued by Philadelphia, one 2007 Sacagawea dollar from Denver and a West Point minted 2007 Silver Eagle. All are of the special matte or satin finish that are only issued to collectors in Mint Sets. An image of what the set looks like is at the end of this article. We will elaborate more on this coin as specialists weigh in on its value, etc. KP
See Additional Images & Story Here
Recent Finds ...
Collector Finds Wild Clash In Roll From eBay!
Photo © Ken Potter 2008/Coin courtesy of Philip Wood
March 17, 2008 -- Philip Wood of North Carolina reports finding a very nice higher-grade circulated example of a clashed die on a 1931-S “Buffalo” five-cent piece that he found in a roll he recently purchased on eBay. He said that it was unattributed for the variety and he just happened to notice it while looking over the lot. It also shows strong clash marks from the Bison’s shoulder impressed between the Indian’s neck and lower feathers (not shown here). Nice find Philip!
Recent Finds ...
Collector Finds "Coarse" Lettering Monroe $1s
Photo courtesy of Gordon Barnes
March 10, 2008 -- Gordon Barnes of MA reports finding 2008-P James Monroe dollars with edge lettering that appears crisp and clear (or what one would consider normal) on some coins while others display "coarse" lettering with some doubling. Out of 6000 pieces searched he found 550 with the "coarse" edge inscriptions. The "coarse" lettering effect was seen on some 2007-P Adams dollars too and were referred to as "Large Font" by some finders. Research is still being conducted on what might be the cause of this effect. Barnes also found examples with the lettering ranging from up high on the rim, centered on the rim and down low. This effect has been seen on all the preceding dollars.
In The News ...
"Ike Group" Proposes Clashed Die
Rating System
March 10. 2008 -- The Ike Group proposes a three-tier die-clash rating system, illustrated with clashed Eisenhower dollars. They believe the system is applicable to any series with die-clashes and suggest its application may stimulate more interest in this area of collecting.
Recent Finds ...
Michigander Finds Lettered Edge Monroe Dollar Planchet!
Image courtesy of Numismatic Guarantee Corporation
Image courtesy of Garrett Reich
March 04, 2008 -- (Revised
March 06 to add new information) Garrett
Reich of Michigan has reported a 2008-P Presidential dollar planchet found in a
$1000 box of James Monroe Presidential dollars. While the edge is inscribed with
the mottos, IN GOD WE TRUST and E PLURIBUS UNUM, the date and mintmark; the
planchet itself managed to avoid the striking process and is sans the obverse
and reverse designs. It is
one of just a handful of edge lettered planchets known for the entire series of
Presidential dollars minted so far and it's the first one reported to me on a
2008 issue. Reich reported it to me several days prior to the official
February 14 release date for the Monroe dollars asking for advise as to whether
or not I knew if any of the grading services would designate it as a Monroe
dollar planchet on their holders. He eventually sent it to Numismatic
Guarantee Corporation (NGC) of Sarasota, Fl., who certified it as: "2008-P
(James Monroe) Edge Lettered Planchet." See
the Numismatic News Story Here.
According
to a March 13, 2007 Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) press release, Ray
and Mary Smith of Fort Collins, Colorado were the first to submit a lettered
edge planchet for a 2007 Presidential dollar planchet with a lettered edge found
in one of two 25-coin rolls of Denver minted George Washington Presidential
dollars obtained from a local bank. Because
it was found prior to any other Presidential dollars types being released for
2007, it was designated as a Washington dollar planchet in a like manner to the
lettered edge Monroe dollar certified for Reich. According to the Smith's who
kept an eye on events surrounding the error type, they were aware of several
other 2007 edge lettered dollar planchets that were found after theirs and
certified by NGC.
Scott Schechter, NGC's Director of Marketing stated in a
March 6 email on the subject: "We’ve graded at least a half dozen
lettered edge (and partially lettered edge) blanks. As soon as the second coin
of the year comes out, we will no longer put a name on the label, and I think
that we’ve only done three Monroe blanks so far. Unlettered blanks are common,
and, since they are the same as the Sacagawea blanks, we have done many
hundreds. Dave Camire commented to me that he feels that the frequency of blanks
coming out for Presidential dollar coins is higher than for Sacagawea dollars
years ago." A
George Washington dollar lettered edge planchet that was certified after the
Smith's had theirs certified can be found on the NGC website by going here: Presidential $1 Error Coins: George Washington.
March 06, 2008 -- Update!
It has been learned that an additional specimen of a 2008-P James Monroe dollar
planchet with edge lettering has been reported by Ken Sigler of Cinnaminson Rare
Coins, Cinnaminson, NJ. He found it while searching through rolls of the
dollars on February 18. A story on his find by Paul Gilkes can be found on
page 4 of the March 17 issue of Coin World.
It is now available for viewing to subscribers of the online version of CW.
According to the story, Sigler was planning to send it to PCGS. This would
be one of four specimens publicly reported so far assuming Sigler did not change
his mind and send it to NGC and is is a part of their count. As of the
time of this posting it is not known how many lettered edge dollar planchets
have been certified by PCGS. We will update as we learn more.
See the Numismatic News Story Here
In The News ...
2000 'Extra Beard' Attribution Reversed!
Photos © Ken Potter 2008/Coin courtesy of James P. McCarthy
Click one the image above to see Neff's analysis of this MAD Clash
Overlay created courtesy of B.J. Neff
February 28, 2008 -- (Revised to add more
information March 05, 2008) A number of researchers
who attributed a 2000 Lincoln cent as a doubled die obverse with an "extra
beard" just weeks ago have unanimously reversed their opinions of it
being attributed as such and have reattributed it as a clashed die (with most or
all suggesting it is a clash from misaligned dies or what is often referred to as a
MAD Clash). Researchers who originally suggested that the coin was a
doubled die based their opinions on the fact that overlays seemed to neatly fit
the area of the so-called extra beard into another area of the
beard. However, soon after the variety was first publicized, folks
started finding more examples with a so-called extra beard doubled die from
other dies with obvious clash marks. So many were found with clash marks
that a clash had to be considered as a possible cause. A closer look at examples
struck from the same dies as the original find also showed traces of clash but
they were minor and overlooked as trivial. Several hobby specialists created
overlays of what a clash might look like, and overlays with the dies a bit
misaligned started to look like the answer. Researcher, Ken Potter created
preliminary overlays from images of a 2005-D Lincoln cent he borrowed from the
US Mint's website and after a bit of playing around was able to recreate what
appeared to approximately illustrate how the obverse and reverse dies were lined
up when they clashed. Potter said, "You have to look closely and visualize
where the field areas at the edges of the columns and around the Lincoln statue
in the Memorial building are to piece it together mentally. Another CONECA
researcher, B.J. Neff fine-tuned overlays that he created and are shown
above. His entire account with a detailed analysis complete with photomicrographic
overlays with arrows of the areas in question can be accessed via the link at
the end of this article. CONECA member-researcher, Billy Crawford, also created
extensive overlays along with an extensive account of what created this aberration
and others that are similar. The link to his work is also at the end of
this article.
The fact that attributers all
agreed "too quickly" on this being a doubled die was definitely a part
of the problem of it being misattributed by so many so quickly. The fact
that the "doubling" seemed to "fit" into the design was
an even bigger part of the problem. It is a lesson that reaffirms
what many researchers already know, which is that overlays that "fit"
do not always necessarily confirm a variety even when they seem to do so at
first glance."
Photo © Ken Potter 2008 / Coin courtesy of Susan Headley
Above is an example of a 2000 Lincoln Cent with a
"normal" clash die sent in by Susan Headley of www.coins.about.com.
Here we see the rectangular shaped area (from a bay of the Memorial building on
the reverse) pointed out by the red arrows below the ear. This is the
typical area to see this aberration on many recent date Lincolns with clashed
dies. The so-called extra beard is also present on this specimen but much
lower than on the MAD Clash version. They are pointed out by the yellow
arrows. The uppermost red arrow points to yet another clash mark.
Interestingly, clash marks of the character pointed out by the yellow arrows
have not yet been reported to us on other dates, which may be one of the reasons
they were not noticed on the series until recently. We will report further
as we learn more so stay tuned in!
Attributers who have de-listed the 2000 Lincoln cent variety
shown above as being a doubled die include, John Wexler, James Wiles (CONECA),
Ken Potter, Billy Crawford and Bob Piazza (of www.CopperCoins.com).
Credit should be given to all of the attributers involved in the research of
this coin for nipping this misattribution in the bud before it became firmly
entrenched into the hobby as a doubled die.
With all this said, it is interesting to note that the
reevaluation of the variety from a doubled die to a MAD Clash has not
particularly destroyed its stature as a collectable. A MAD Clash is a
rather elusive class of variety in itself and we expect that collectors will
continue to look for these and collect them.
Read B. J. Neff's In-Depth Analysis On The Topic Here
Read Billy Crawford's Excellent Update On The Variety Here (Tip: Right click and save this document to your hard drive or a disc if you want to read it later as Crawford's Die Variety News' issues are not held permanently on the web as they are replaced with newer issues.
Note: A very educational article on this subject by John Wexler can also be found on pages 23-25 of the March 31 issue of Coin World.
Recent Finds ...
Vintage "Atheist Cud" Found In Roll!
Photos by Eric Zabel
March 03, 2008 -- Eric Zabel reports finding a neat Major Die Break "Cud" while searching through rolls of circulated cents. He said "I found this penny in a roll that I got from the bank. I buy $25.00 at a time and search them. It's a 1972-D with a cud and I was happy to find it. But then I took out my magnifier and saw that it had columns on the obverse side of the coin." The columns are the result off a severe die clash which undoubtedly contributed to the die breaking. Cuds which obliterate part of or all of the word "GOD" are often referred to as Atheist Cuds by collectors. Read more about cuds and clashes by going to the CONECA Glossary, Recent Finds Archive or the Error-Variety Articles Index page.
Recent Finds ...
Beginner's Luck Nets Duo UT
25c Error
March 01, 2008 -- Joy Murphy and Vince Viren of IL recently found a neat "Dropped Digit" on a 2007-D Utah State quarter. According to Murphy: "I am a new error collector and member of CONECA. I was explaining my new hobby to my brother and we were looking through pocket change and found this Utah error quarter. As a beginner, I don't even know what some of the terms actually mean, but I am learning every day." It was Authenticated by ANACS who attributed is as follows: 2007-D 25C UT STRK THRU DROPPED DIGIT - INCUSE '6' ON REV and graded MS 64.
The "Dropped Design" is a relatively scarce error type with its origins in the common "Filled Die" error. When debris, (often referred to by error collectors as "mint goop" or "grease"), clog a die, it may after a few strikes, become compressed within cavities of the die such as numerals or letters or other design elements. Even after the offending material has been dispersed from the field of the die through striking coins, it may remain intact within these recesses. More "Dropped Design" errors can be found by searching the Recent Finds archive.
CONECA Gives Kelsey Russell an Honorary
YN Membership
February 27, 2008 -- In today's fast-paced world,
amongst our youth, there seems to be dwindling interest in noble hobbies
such as coin collecting. There just does not seem to be enough hours in the day for young people to sit down and appreciate a
coin; what it represents, the history behind it and how it was made.
However, there are exceptions and one of them is nine year old
Kelsey Russell. It seems that Kelsey has developed an interest in variety coins from watching
her father, CONECA member, Kenneth Russell, (who is an avid cherrypicker-collector), and
she has found two Jefferson five-cents "Ocean In View" reverse doubled dies. This alone is quite an accomplishment for anyone, more so for a person of Kelsey's age.
In view of this, CONECA feels that this interest should be encouraged and
has decided to bestow Kelsey with a one-year honorary Young Numismatist
Membership to our organization. Hopefully, we will see more of today's youth, like Kelsey,
joining our ranks!
Submitted by BJ Neff
In The News ...
Second 1982 Doubled Die Reverse Cent Uncovered!
Doubling of E PLURIBUS UNUM is very strong.
Another area of very strong doubling is on ONE of ONE CENT.
Photos © Ken Potter 2008/Coin courtesy of Jim Proctor
Doubling of the Lincoln Statue is quite pronounced!
February 15, 2008 -- After nearly four months of readers searching, a second example of a major 1982 doubled die reverse cent has finally been uncovered. Numismatic News reader Jim Proctor of Vermont reported it. It bears the small date obverse and is struck on a pure copper-plated zinc core planchet - as was the original find.
See The Rest Of The Numismatic News Story Here
See Larger More Detailed Images Here
Recent Finds ...
Clashed Dies Found On Okalahoma Launch
Coins!
Photos courtesy of Thea Slavin/Coin courtesy of American Precious
Metals Exchange
Click On Image For Larger View
Here is an overlay created in Photoshop that illustrates where
the clash marks originated from.
February 12, 2007 (Revised Feb 15 to include additional information) -- Benjamin Swagerty reports the following: "At the Oklahoma City launch for the new Oklahoma quarter, a set in a plastic case was made available with both a P and a D mint quarter. Back at the shop, we noticed problems with several of the P mint quarters. Our staff photographer was able to use our microscope to take images of die clashing. We do not know if you are already aware of these or not, but we thought you might be interested in the photos for your column. They were discovered by Nathan Owens and photographed by Thea Slavin. We are all employees of American Precious Metals Exchange." It should be noted that Swagerty sent three different images of what appeared to be three clashed die varieties or stages thereof. The one shown above is the strongest of the three.
It is interesting to see in Slavin's photo clashed die elements from obverse-to-reverse that we've seen on other clashed State quarter designs. For example, the so-called "leaping fish" clash die mark seen on the reverse of many 2005 Minnesota state quarters is again seen here as the lowest clash mark in the field while the entire series of clash marks on the Okalahoma quarter are similarly seen on a 2003-P Maine quarter clashed die reverse that we documented a few years ago.
In looking at the overlay provided above you can see how the design areas on the obverse, match up with the areas of clash marks on the reverse of the clashed Okalahoma "launch quarters" found by Owens. For those of you who want to lean how to create overlays like the one shown here: I photographed the obverse of a normal coin and then borrowed the "line art" version of the reverse design from the U.S. Mint website and downsized it to the same size as my photo of the obverse. I then imported the images into Adobe Photoshop™ and inverted and horizontally flipped the image of the obverse into the orientation it would be in relation to the reverse when the dies came together. I then used the circular cloning tool set at an opacity level of about 50%, to copy the image of the reverse and then dropped it right over the image of the obverse. Presto! We have a composite image that illustrates what areas of the obverse/reverse match up in a clash.
In The News ...
Last Chance For Lettered-Edge Sac Dollar Errors?
Photo Courtesy of PCGS
Here is a look at the Sacagawea dollar with edge
inscription submitted to PCGS by Andrew Moores
February 11, 2008 -- For those of you who haven't noticed, the U.S. Mint website now shows that the 2007 Philadelphia minted Sacagawea dollar rolls are no longer available. In plain English this statement often means "sold out," though hobbyists have learned in recent years, that this is not always the case. The "P" & "D" Mint bags have been "sold out" for months with speculation rampant as to whether or not they could sell out their specially wrapped 25-piece rolls in a like manner.
What the "sell out" of the Philadelphia rolls suggests is that the slightly higher mintage Denver issue will probably follow suit and "sell out" too. Some will see this as their last chance to get in on the deal at issue price. But why would you want to buy them? The most obvious reason would be that they may increase in value as often occurs after a Mint item is closed out. However, others have suggested that this is where you might be able to find additional pieces of the Denver minted Sac dollars with a lettered edge ... if more exist. The theory goes something like this: one specimen has been found so far and where there is one there is usually more. The Professional Coin Grading Service of Newport Beach, Cal., paid the finder of the first example of this error a reward $10,000.00 so there is lots of incentive to find additional examples even though they may not be worth this much in the retail market. Since the 2007 Sac dollars were not distributed to the public through the banking system and had to be purchased by collectors/speculators directly from the U.S. Mint at a premium, it has been reasoned that more of the errors may be in those "collector" rolls or bags sold by the Mint. Other theories exist as to how the lettered edge Sac got out of the Denver Mint but these "theories" are a moot point to this discussion.
What we need to be pay special attention to is the fact that the one known specimen of the lettered edge Sac error was reported found in circulation. Some suggest that this is nearly impossible since the Mint did not release any 2007 Sacs into circulation but the fact is that it is not unusual for a collector to buy a roll of coins or even a bag or more from the Mint so that he/she can pick out the superior specimens to be saved and then dump the lackluster pieces in a bank or spend them. So it is not really all that unusual for a few coins that were never officially released into circulation to end up there. Even proof coins enter circulation from time to time.
However, what most folks are missing is the fact that this coin was run through the Schuler Edge Lettering Machine. What that means is that if it did get out in error, that the coin most probably got mixed in with a bin of Presidential dollars and then taken to the edge lettering machine. This could have occurred if a tub used previously to haul Sac dollars was emptied and then used to haul Presidential dollars. If one or a few Sacs remained in the bin for one reason or another they could have gotten mixed in with the Presidential dollars and run through the edge lettering machine. This suggests that the coin would not have even came out of a Sac roll but more probably from a roll of Presidential dollars assuming the coin left the Mint in a legitimate manner!
So if you are hoping to find edge marked Sac dollar errors in Sac rolls, you'll probably be disappointed. Nonetheless, buying a few 2007-D Sac rolls may not be a bad idea. The coin is of relatively low mintage and may do well on its own merits. Rolls of past issues sold exclusively to collectors are doing well. I purchased a few of both the Philadelphia and Denver rolls and have my fingers crossed but won't be checking them for errors! KP
In The News ...
Monroe Dollars Struck On Quarter Planchets
Image Digitally Manipulated To Appear The Same Color As A
Quarter Dollar Coin; The Actual Errors Would Also Most Probably Be Weakly Struck
Especially Along the Rims and Undoubtedly Be Somewhat Out-Of-Round Since There Would Not Have Been Enough Metal Present To Completely Fill the Collar.
February 09, 2008 -- The U.S. Mint has confirmed that a number of "irregular" 2008-P James Monroe Presidential dollars have been returned to the Mint from a contractor that wraps coinage for the Mint. The coins were struck on standard copper-nickel clad quarter-dollar planchets rather than the intended manganese-brass clad dollar planchets. According to Paul Gilkes' front page Coin World article, as of the publication's February 1 noon deadline, the Mint had confirmed an awareness that a number of the errors could enter into circulation on the coin's official release date of February 14. A source to CW indicated that the number of errors produced could range anywhere from 70,000 to 140,000 pieces. On February 4, after conducting an inquiry, the Mint stated that it "presently has no evidence to indicate that any irregular James Monroe Presidential $1 Coins have been sent to the nation's banks." The Mint statement says in full:
"In mid-January, the United States Mint's coin-wrapping contractor alerted the agency when it found some irregular James Monroe Presidential $1 coins. The coins in question were immediately returned to the United States Mint. The United States Mint has performed an internal inquiry and presently has no evidence to indicate that any irregular James Monroe Presidential $1 Coins have been sent to the nation's banks. The United States Mint expects to make an estimated 103 million James Monroe Presidential $1 Coins."
Now the question is, did the Mint really recover all the errors? Past history suggests that they may not have. If you decide to look for them, they will be the color of a quarter-dollar, thinner, underweight and not perfectly round with the thinnest areas of the coin near the rims were lettering might appear to be stretched or flowing toward the edge. The edge inscription will be weak if at all present and will only show as partial letters due to the lack of thickness of the planchet to accommodate the width of the characters.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Let us know what you find!
Stories on this news can be found here: All Monroe 'Quarters' Recaptured, here: Monroe Dollars Struck on Quarter Planchets, and here: Major Monroe Dollar Error Coins Confirmed! It can also be found on the front page of the February 18 issue of Coin World. KP
March 05, 2008: Update! It is interesting to note that as of today's date NOBODY has reported finding any of the Monroe dollars struck on quarter planchets!
Recent Finds ...
Collector Finds Shifted Lettering On Adams Dollars!
Photo courtesy of Vess
February 09, 2008 -- According to one Cherrypicker, (who simply goes by the name of Vess), profiteers who searched 2007-P Adams dollars for Smooth Edge and Doubled Inscription Edge Errors, may have missed the boat on another error that he has found a number of so far. His finds involve a very significant narrowing in the spacing between the "P" Mintmark and the "E" of E PLURIBUS UNUM. This type of error is most easily found by stacking the coins one on top of the other with the date and Mintmark lined up evenly over each other and then looking to see if there are any significant closures between the P and E. Shown here is a stack of some of the dollars with this error that he has accumulated thus far. The coin on the bottom displays the normal spacing between the P and E, which is quite considerable. The rest of the coins are shown in a progression starting from the top with the spacing narrowing to a greater degree between the P and E on each coin down the stack. So far, Vess has found about 120 examples of this edge inscription shift with varying degrees of spacing.
CONECA News ...
CONECA To Attend The Central Florida Coin Club Show
February 09, 2008 -- The Central Florida Coin Club will be conducting their semi-annual Coin and Money show from March 14th through March 16th, at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Dr. (Rte. # 50), Orlando Florida. CONECA members will be in attendance, giving verbal attributions on error and variety coins at the club table. Members who renew their dues and folks that apply for new membership at the show, will receive a copy of "Master Hubs and Master Dies of the Lincoln Cent; 1909 to 2006" by BJ Neff on disc format as an added bonus. If you are in the neighborhood, make sure to stop by this excellent coin show.
In The News ...
Two New Presidential Dollar Errors ID'd!
1st Madison Plain Edge / 3rd Denver Adams Double Edge
Reported!
One Of Only Three Denver Minted Adams Dollars Currently Known
With
Double
Edge Lettering. The Arrow Points To The Denver Mintmark.
Photos © Ken Potter 2008
Here Is A Shot Of The Only Plain Edge Madison Dollar Reported So
Far.
February 1, 2008 -- A Michigan collector, who prefers to remain anonymous, has reported finding two rare Presidential dollar errors. The coins include the first published report for a Denver version of a 2007 Adams dollar with a double edge inscription and the first report for a (2007) Madison dollar with the edge inscription missing. Numismatic Guarantee Corporation of Sarasota, Florida, certified both coins. Details of the story can be seen on page 4 of the February 4 issue of Coin World.
See The Numismatic News Online Version Here
See The Numismaster Online Version Here
CONECA News ...
The 2008 Florida United Numismatists
Winter Show
by BJ Neff
Robert "BJ" Neff examining coins for visitors to the CONECA
booth.
February 1, 2008 -- Once again, Florida
rolled out its finest weather for this event providing warm, sunlit days and
mild, almost summer-like nights. Yes, we did have a little rain, however, not
enough to interfere with the show or dampen the enthusiasm of the very large
attendance.
From the beginning, on Wednesday afternoon (dealers and early birds), everyone
seemed abuzz with the rising prices of precious metals and those who specialized
in bullion, gold and silver coins were ecstatic with the sales made during the
following days of the show.
Visit The FUN Page For Rest Of Story
CONECA News ...
Leone Pens
& Donates Cud Books To CONECA
January 28, 2008 -- CONECA Errorscope editor, Frank Leone, has penned a new error-variety book that documents all of the Major Die Breaks (Cuds) that were in the Sam Thurman collection. Many of these cuds were not shown in previous works produced by Arnie Margolis and Thurman. The book is an 8-1/2 x 11" soft cover, 48 pages in length featuring 157 Cuds ranging from early quarter dollars through the SBA dollar. Both the obverse and reverse of each coin is fully illustrated. Included is a listing number for each cud, a description, value and some of Thurman's notes. Future books for the smaller denominations are planned. Frank has donated 100 copies of the book to CONECA of which 100% of the sale price goes to the club's general fund. They may be order through Ken Potter by sending $15.00 plus $2.99 shipping to: P.O. Box 760232, Lathrup Village, Mi 48076. Make all checks payable to CONECA.
Commercial News ...
Whitman
Releases Lincoln Cent "Red Book"
January 28, 2008 -- Whitman has just released their latest publication in the Red Book series that has a focus on a single denomination and type. This one is on Lincoln cents and contains a number of the more important varieties and a number of discussions on those varieties that should be of interest to many readers. Copies of the book can be found at most all major numismatic book outlets.
Recent Finds ...
Another 1969-S Doubled Die Found In Michigan!
A Look At "IN GOD WE TRUST" And "ERTY"
of LIBERTY Shows
Us Just How Strong This Rarity Is!
Photos © Ken Potter 2008
The Latest '69-S DDO Found Exhibits Strong Strike Doubling On
"9" of Date And S Mint Mark. Compare It To The Tremonti Specimen
Below To See The Difference.
January 25, 2008 -- Another 1969-S hub doubled die Lincoln cent has been found in Michigan! The find comes right on the heels of a specimen located by Michigander, Michael Tremonti who found one in an uncirculated roll of the cents on October 3, 2007. The finder of the newest example, who preferred to remain anonymous and was close-mouthed about any details as to exactly when and where it was found, would only say that he cherrypicked it from an uncirculated roll of 1969-S cents after seeing the story on the Tremonti find in the October 29, 2007 issue of Coin World. Interestingly, this newest find flies in the face of conventional wisdom that is often erroneously passed on to collectors that suggests that if the Mintmark is also doubled that it is not the doubled die. Here we see that the doubled die can in fact also be affected with strike doubling! Details on this newest find can be seen in Ken Potter's version of the story in the January 28 issue of Coin World and in Mike Ellis' version of the story in the current issue of Numismatic News .
See The Numismaster Web Version by Mike Ellis Here
See The Numismatic News Version by Mike Ellis Here
In The News ...
"Fresh" 1969-S Doubled Die Cent
Sells For Record Price!
$126,500.00 For Coin Found In BU Roll!
Photo © Ken Potter 2007/Coin Courtesy of Michael
Tremonti
January 10, 2008 -- Just moments before this news item was posted, the Michael Tremonti Specimen of the 1969-S Doubled Die cent was hammed down for $126,500.00 (including the buyer's fee) by Heritage Auctions, held in conjunction with the FUN Convention! The coin was sold to an Internet bidder. Internet bidding ended on January 9 while the live auction was held on January 10. The coin received nine bids. The previous record for this variety was $85,100.00 for a PCGS MS64 R&B sold by Bowers & Merena Auctions last August. The Tremonti specimen graded PCGS MS64 Red, tying with just one other coin for the highest graded. It was claimed by at least one PCGS insider to very possibly be the finest known example based on visual appearances. Two pieces graded PCGS-65 Red that appeared on the population reports in the past were removed for reasons that have never been fully explained.
See The Auction Catalog Description/Photos
Recent Finds ...
2007-P Madison Dollar Found With Doubled Die
Photos © Ken Potter 2008/Coin Courtesy of Shawn Bell
Significant Markers For The Variety Are Found Below UNITED.
January 12, 2008 -- Cherrypicker, Shawn Bell of PA sent in a nice example of a 2007-P James Madison Presidential dollar with hub doubling as pointed out by the arrows. It is the result of a tilted hub doubled die. I do not think that James Wiles has it listed yet but it is listed by John Wexler as WDDR-001 and is featured in his Coin World, Varieties Notebook column this month. Wexler and I co-author the VN column with my installments appearing in the first issue of every month and Wexler's appearing in the third issue of every month. KP
Read More About This Form Of Doubling On Other Presidental Dollars
"Oh, No It Ain't ...!!"
"Spooned Coins" Fool Many Newcomers
Photo & coin courtesy of Jennifer Cheshier
January 09, 2008 -- It's been quite some time since we have had a discussion on "spooned coins" but one recently came in from Jennifer Cheshier that is a bit different than any we've seen so far. In most cases "spooned" coins -- all of which many not actually have been "spooned" but have similar effects -- have a rim that overlaps upon itself as if metal from the edge and rims had been rolled over into the fields and designs, on both sides of the coin. In this one the "roll over" is only on the obverse. What we are hoping for is help from anybody who might know more about how these interesting alterations are made.
See The "Oh No! It Ain't ...!" Feature Here
Members Share...
Die Dent With Pressure Ridges On A 1998-P Nickel
Implications for the Wisconsin "Extra
Leaf" Quarters
by Mike Diamond
Photo courtesy of Mike Diamond
Click On Image For Larger View
January 05, 2008 -- Those who attribute unusual significance to the the Wisconsin "extra leaf" quarters place a lot of emphasis on one feature. It is a dimple or trough located just below the concave edge of the "low leaf". The dimple corresponds to a pressure ridge on the die face. To investigators like Chris Pilliod, this feature indicates that the die was altered when it was in a softened, or annealed state. He reasons that localized metal displacement of this magnitude is unlikely in a hardened, or tempered die. Those who argue that the extra leaves were intentionally placed on the die believe the dimple validates their position, since they cannot think of any mishap that would occur accidentally while the dies are awaiting final processing.
I initially found Chris' argument persuasive. I have quite a few examples of coins struck by damaged dies (some quite severely), and I could not find evidence of a pressure ridge in any of them. Recently, however, I purchased a 1998-P nickel struck by a die with a long, deep, and very straight die dent. It shows three dimples above a ridge whose relief is as great as the letters of UNUM through which it passes. In 2006 Ken Potter reported on a
Minnesota quarter with a smaller die dent that also shows development of pressure ridges.
These two specimens raise doubts about the significance of a pressure ridge. If the ridges formed in hardened dies as the result of an impact during normal press operation, it would indicate that even hardened die steel can suffer localized deformation. If the ridges formed while the dies were in a softened state, it indicates that accidental impacts do occur while the dies are awaiting final heating, quenching, and tempering.
In The News...
List of Proof Spiked Head Varieties Grows
Photos © Ken Potter 2006/Coin Courtesy of Ira
Edings
2002-S
Clad Proof Kennedy half-dollar with "Spiked Head" die crack.
Photos © Ken Potter 2006/Coin Courtesy of Stephen Soldridge
Both obverse and reverse die cracks on proof Kennedy halves
were included
in the new report. This one is a 2004-S struck in silver.
December 29, 2007 -- I reported upon a Spiked Head die crack on a proof 2007-S Thomas Jefferson Presidential dollar in the Nov. 13, 2007, issue of Numismatic News. What I did not say was that it was actually just one of several Spiked Heads found on proof coins submitted to me in the past year and a half. New to the list of significant die cracks on proof coins are 12 examples spanning the dates 1998-S, 1999-S, 2000-S, 2005-S and 2006-S, on all denominations from nickels through a single Sacagawea dollar. The "list" was originally started with a Spiked Head 2002-S silver Kennedy half dollar that headlined the April 15, 2003, issue of NN. This coin prompted a long string of finds that followed as folks began to check other denominations and dates closer. The 10-part series of reports ran intermittently with the last appearing in the June 14, 2005, issue up until my recent Jefferson dollar story. Eight of the 12 new listings can be seen in the NN web version of the story at the link below. All the photos can be seen in the print version of NN due in collectors hands in the next few days.
In The News ...
Error Education Fun With Good Photographs
December 20, 2007 -- According to Mike Ellis: "To 'scope it out' implies many actions. The phrase smacks of two numismatic focal points: literally viewing and studying coins and related items through a scope and; much like the many popular television shows, invokes forensic studies and intensive research. Such is the scope of this column, pun intended." He then goes on the examine a 1917-S Type-1 Standing Liberty quarter struck on a Broken Planchet and other errors in his recent Numismatic News column.
"Oh, No It Ain't ...!!
Is It A Leaping Fish Or Not?
November 31, 2007 -- Back in 2006, the 2005-P-D-S Minnesota State quarters with various doubled dies restricted to central areas of the reverse design were red hot! Most of them involved the third full tree to the right of the Minnesota State outline with a portion of that tree hub doubled with the secondary image showing as a shift out in the field as a totally separated partial tree. Thus, they were nicknamed the "extra tree" varieties. At any one time dozens of them could be found being offered on eBay and week after week John Wexler and I wrote stories on the new finds as they came in, for Coin World and Numismatic News. They were so hot with so many collectors looking that they started finding other aberrations on the coins that they felt were doubled dies or "design add-ons" the Mint decided to include as "extra" elements to the design. Shown here is one of the so-called "Leaping Fish" varieties, which of course is just a common (though interesting) clashed die variety! See the rest of the story including additional examples of the so-called "leaping fish" clashed die varieties in next week's issue of Numismatic News.
In The News...
Wyoming Error Found in Quarter Proof Set!
Photos © Ken Potter 2007/Coin Courtesy of Paul Kmiotek
November 29, 2007 -- Paul Kmiotek of NY was in for a surprise when he opened a States Quarter Proof set that his In-laws gave him on his Birthday this September! The last thing he expected to find was a major error. Yet, that is exactly what he encountered when he slid the set out it the Mint box and saw that lower right corner of the case was jammed partially open by the high flange of a misstruck Wyoming State quarter! At first he didn't notice the error and tried to snap the case back closed but the high flange that was cupped upward from obverse forced it to spring back open. He then noticed the "problem" and decided to contact Numismatic News about his find. The report was forwarded to me and I then consulted with a pool of experts to see what they thought.
Not So Recent Finds ...
Collector Finds 1919-D Die Cracks 10c Metal Detecting
November 25, 2007 -- Raymond Reid of Michigan reports some pretty neat die cracks on a 1919-D Mercury dime that he found while treasure hunting. He said: "I've had this coin for over 30 years but never really got into variety and error coins. I do collect coins and have a nice collection. I found this one at the Saginaw Fairgrounds in Saginaw, MI. I found several Mercury dimes that day and I was set to call it a day, when I noticed an area by one of the horse barns where there used to be a penny arcade -- a nice area protected from the elements by a large overhang. The area where I found the coin was mostly sand, it was probably seven inches below the surface and was very clean, probably due to the clean dry sand it had been laying in for I don't know how many years. When I got home I got out my magnifying glass and looked over all the coins and I noticed what I believed were die breaks on the 1919 but wasn't sure. I put it in a white stapled holder and printed d.b.on it for die break and it has been in one of my books ever since. I took it out after I had seen a 1942/1 Mercury dime sell on eBay. Anyway the 2/1 looked a bit like the die break going through my date on the 1919-D so I took it out and looked at it again. Over the years I have done some reading on die breaks and other types of error coins. Looking at it this time I realized how pronounced the breaks were. I had forgotten about the die break through the R of TRUST and didn't notice the I and T (of LIBERTY) had a break above each letter from the center of the letters to the rims -- very small but noticeable. I would be very happy to have you show it on the CONECA website as I find it it interesting and fascinating to see die breaks and other errors. Now I find myself looking much closer at my collection. I have been collecting coins since 1969 and find it a wonderful and very interesting hobby. I am sure you feel the same way. I looked at a number of your coins on your website, and there are some very interesting ones. Your website gives collectors great insights on error and varieties."
Note: Thanks Raymond for your story! Anybody else have an interesting find to share? The finds don't have to major just something interesting! Send them to the webmaster at conecawebsite@koinpro.com and images of suitable quality and interest will be shown.
In The News ...
The Lincoln Cent Project
October 02, 2007 -- Charles Daughtrey has begun a new Lincoln cent counting project and would like to get the word out to as many collectors as possible. The details can be found at the project's website http://www.thecentproject.com/.
CONECA News ...
See CONECA's Errorscope Online Supplement#3!
September 16, 2007 -- CONECA's Errorscope Online Supplement#3 is now available for viewing! This document has the same look and feel as the current bimonthly printed Errorscope and is the second in a regular series that will made available as a PDF file on the CONECA website. It is edited by Errorscope editor, Frank Leone. It can be accessed here: CONECA Errorscope Online Supplement No.3. Thanks Frank!
CONECA News ...
CONECA Variety Vista Website
Features New 1988 Lincoln Cent Variety!
Images by James Wiles/Coin Courtesy of Jeff Snow
A look at the newest Transitional Design Variety that
is detailed on Variety Vista
This variety is a 1988 obverse mated to a reverse style used largely for the
1989 and later issues of the Lincoln cent
August 24, 2007 -- Fellow CONECA members: www.varietyvista.com is CONECA's new online center for all things related to 20th (and 21st) Century United States die varieties! This is the fastest, most convenient place to find the latest research and photos. Here you will find a website filled with high-quality, high-magnification photos of the most sought-after and newest die varieties. Check it out today and check it out often. We are in the beginning stages of what promises to be the premier reference for die variety collectors. The site is continually expanding as we post both new and older varieties.
New In the ErrorScope
...
May/June 2007 Errorscope
Review
Image courtesy of Mike Diamond
This Shattered Die Strike Was Featured in Mike
Diamond's "Shattered Dies" article.
One of CONECA's newest columnists, Jeff Ylitalo, continues his look at bi-metallic error coins in his column, "Bi-Metallic Mania" He examines insertion and bonding errors in bi-metallic coins. He describes three extraordinary core-based errors, teaching us how bi-metallic coins are made while showing us a couple of the curiously odd things that can go wrong when the core doesn’t seat into the ring properly during striking.
CONECA President, Mike Diamond
presents the feature, "A Short Discourse on Shattered Dies and
Catastrophic Die Failure.” The
cover coin accompanying this article is of a Washington quarter that according
to Diamond displays “incredible die failure.” His article explains how this
coin, (and numerous others shown) were struck by coin dies that were so badly
damaged that they broke apart on impact or somehow surprisingly held together
despite serious breaks and obvious disintegration. Diamond provides some insight into why coin dies sometimes
break apart and a little bit about the mechanics of how that happens, using more
than two dozen coin photographs to illustrate his points.
In his
regular president's message column “The Skeptical Eye,”
Diamond, points out that “unique errors are, paradoxically, quite
common.” He
explains how the very nature of the minting
process creates a profusion of unique, one-off types of specimens.
The feature, "Die
Deterioration and its Effect on a Doubled Die,” by Robert (BJ) Neff
examines two specimens of the 1964-D Doubled Die Lincoln cent, (cataloged as
CONECA DDR-012.) One specimen is in
an Early Die State (EDS) and the other is in a Late Die State (LDS.)
He compares and contrasts the two specimens, noting in photographs and
descriptions how the appearance of the hub doubled details have changed as a
result of die deterioration. Neff
also depicts and describes a 1999-P Lincoln cent that has a “wavy steps”
reverse, but is known with two different obverse dies.
He wonders why the Mint changed the obverse die without replacing the
clashed and abraded reverse die, too.
In Neffs, “The Denver Mint
Single-Squeeze Doubled Die,” he writes about the fact that hub doubling
(doubled dies) seemed harder to find from the Denver Mint than from Philadelphia
ever since the single-squeeze hubbing method went into use around 1995 [1997]
but that things might have changed in recent years. He cites several Denver Mint doubled dies from 2003 onward,
and encourages everyone to keep checking their pocket change.
Errorscope editor, Frank Leone
presents the feature "Nine Bags of Wheaties,” detailing what he
found in nine 5,000-coin bags of Wheat cents that he purchased and believes
legitimately unsearched for die varieties.
After briefly laying out his searching criteria, (e.g. only checking
certain dates closely,) he promises to share his most interesting finds with Errorscope
readers in coming issues. To get
the ball rolling, he describes and shows photos of three neat finds, including a
Lincoln Memorial (!) 1964-P Proof doubled die, a 1941-P cent with a sticker on
it reading “Red’s Coming Back To Town,” and a 1941-P cent where the
reverse was lost when the planchet split apart after striking.
In the feature "A Fake Second Strike – Deconstructed,” Diamond uses a convincingly faked double-struck Lincoln cent as the exhibit coin, showing us in words and pictures why this specimen must be condemned. His basic premise is that “it’s not necessary to determine exactly how [the fake] was produced. It is sufficient merely to show that its appearance violates the finite constraints of the minting process.” He then proceeds to carefully describe 15 points of observation that are suspicious to him, giving each a rating for its significance. This article amounts to a tutorial in authenticating or condemning a potentially double-struck-flipover-in-collar error coin specimen.
Additional content includes an obituary for the late Russ LeBeau; the Membership News summary by Paul F. Funaiole; and a Classified Advertising section.
Errorscope
is the official publication of CONECA, the Combined Organizations of Numismatic
Error Collectors of America.
The May/June 2007 issue of Errorscope is Volume 16, Number 3, and
was mailed to members on July 29, 2007.
The preceding abstract is copyrighted by CONECA; publication is freely
granted to numismatic media as long as credit is given to CONECA.
(Written by Susan Headley for CONECA.)
Members Share ...
Neff Makes "Wavy Steps
& Tails Files" Public
August 24, 2007 -- CONECA member BJ Neff offers free access to his the complete listings on "Trail Dies" and "Wavy Steps" varieties. These are aberrations found mostly on Lincoln cents that some feel are a type of hub doubling and others feel are yet unexplained and in need of more study. His work has found a home on CONECA ErrorScope editor, Frank Leone's web site located at http://www.1793.com. All 431 listings, compiled by Neff can be found here: http://www.1793.com/resources/traildies/traildies.htm. According to Neff, "there are some corrections that have to be made and I am in the process of re-reading the whole files. Frank's idea of putting it into PDF format was outstanding for now these files can be accessed by all who show an interest in collecting this type die anomaly." Nice work BJ!
Our Favorite Errors ...
1970-D Jefferson Begs Explanation
Explanation & Images by Mike Diamond
January 18, 2007 -- Mike Diamond sent in neat images of a 1970-D Jefferson five-cent piece with an unusual error that at first can be rather baffling as to how it occurred. Mike's explanation is: "Here's an interesting error I recently obtained from Fred Weinberg. The first strike was normal. The second strike was about 20% off-center and very weak. It's die-struck on the reverse. The obverse shows a weak, mirror brockage that covers about 80% of the obverse. It is more-or-less aligned with the die-struck design on the reverse, but is rotated about 90 degrees relative to it. Most likely something interfered with normal die approximation on the second strike so that, at their closest approach, the two dies were almost as far apart as the combined thickness of the two coins between them.
See More & Larger Images Of The Coin Here
Members are invited to send images of some of their favorite errors to be featured in this column. Send an image(s) and some text explaining what the coin is or why the coin is one of your favorites to the editor by clicking here: Our Favorite Errors
Interesting Coin Facts ...
When Did
Single-Squeeze Hubbing Really Begin?
June 25, 2006 -- So just when did single-squeeze hubbing really begin in the US? It's a darn good question and the answer is a bit clouded. However, until lately, in spite of your webmaster for years repeatedly stating that it started in 1985 or 1986, everybody else kept quoting 1997 as the year of introduction. And they couldn't have been more wrong! Read why by clicking the link below!
How To Get "Your" Story
Told/Images Shared
by Ken Potter - CONECA Webmaster
November 05, 2005 -- If you have a story or just images to share you may have already tried sending them only to notice later that they never got posted. You probably wondered what happened. In actuality, there are a lot of good reasons for a story and/or images to NOT get posted on the web site but there are many things you can do to help get them up.
Let me backtrack just a bit to make note of the fact that this website is edited 100% on a voluntary basis. Thus, it is is updated on an "as time permits basis." However, the fact is, I simply do not have enough time to tend to my own affairs, (which includes administering my own website, filling orders and penning my columns/feature articles for Coin World, Numismatic News, World Coin News and Canadian Coin News), to add much more time to the CONECA site than I already am. What that means is the more complicated the information is that you send for me to edit the greater the chances are it will get pushed to the back burner or will get lost in the cracks.
I should also point out that many articles or images that needed extensive editing were on my old computer and are no longer assessable to me. In most cases they were stories that needed to have images worked in. Often the images were sent in formats that needed to be resized, edited or cropped to remove extraneous backgrounds. Some are sent in formats not suitable for the web and need to be converted from one format to another before they can be used. I have not found all formats easy or even possible for me to convert.
My suggestion is the make sure images are saved in standard formats used on most web sites. The CONECA website uses the jpeg format most and it is preferred. I also recommend cropping images to show the subject only. Images with large backgrounds need to be cropped by me to remove excess background so that the coin does not appear as a small dot lost in a sea of background after the image is resized to the format we use on the website. In general you can figure that we will show our images on the homepage at 300 pixels in width and on a feature page at 550 pixels wide. In effect send them cropped down to the subject with narrow borders for a background at 550 pixels in width and I will resize from there to fit the homepage. Additionally, please keep clutter out of the images.
The #1 reason for an image not getting used is the coin being shot in a 2x2 holder. Ugly staples and handwriting do not add eye appeal to a coin and are distracting. To make matters worse, the Mylar plastic in the window of a cardboard 2x2 or plastic of a flip often causes less than desirable reflections. These can sometimes be minimizes through some image editing but can never be eliminated completely and takes time to get to an acceptable level. I often set these to the side for processing later with the hopes I can find the time to rework the image(s) to remover the unsightly holders and/or reflections from view. Others images have less than desirable objects in the same view that need to be cropped or cloned out. All to often I just never get to images like this. If you take a half a second to remove the coin from the holder before shooting the image it will save me a lot of time editing and increase the odds that it will be usable. If you send your material at least almost ready to post the chances are much better I will get to it. If it has been awhile and you did not see your material posted you might consider resubmitting it. I hope these suggestions help!
Free Classified Ads!
April 02, 2004 -- It Official! The CONECA BOD/Officers has approved free classified advertising as another club benefit of CONECA membership! To view the ads already up or to submit your ad click on the link below!
Click Here To View Or Place Ads
Commercial News ...
Crawford Announces
Die Variety News
July 4, 2006 -- CONECA member, Billy Crawford
announces that he has launched a new online newsletter dedicated to the study
and advancement of variety coins. According to Crawford, "Die Variety News is a free, on-line bi-monthly newsletter devoted to updating collectors on varieties and errors for all denominations. Each issue will cover various die varieties such as doubled dies, re-punched mint marks
(RPM's), over mint marks (OMM's), dual mint marks (DMM's) to name just a few. Special sections has been included reporting on a continuing "Educational Series," as well as "World Varieties" and "Mint Error" categories due to popular demand. With new and exciting discoveries being reported almost on a daily basis --
Die Variety News will keep you abreast of all the latest up-to-date information available.
Die Variety News is in PDF file version which requires Adobe Reader© for viewing. If you do not have Adobe Reader©, a link for a free download is provided on the DVN home page."
You can visit Die Variety News here: http://home.sc.rr.com/dievarieties/Die_Variety_News.html
Fred Weinberg Releases New List
March 11, 2005 -- Fred Weinberg writes:
"We are proud to present our first Price List of 2005. All of the new
coins (Over 225 new Certified Errors, and lots of new Raw coins) are listed
right now on our website: http://www.fredweinberg.com/
Many of our customers like to download and print our 16-page Price list, find
the coin(s) of interest, and then view the actual coin on our website.
Please note the “Raw Errors" attachment is for the first 6 pages of
non-Certified Errors, U.S. Mint Defaced Dies, and misc. errors. These are listed
on the website.
The "Certified Errors" attachment is for pages 7-16, containing only
Certified Major Error Coins.
All of the new Certified Errors, plus our existing Certified inventory are
scanned and pictured on our website for your convenience. All of the items under
“U.S. Mint Medals and Errors” (on page 5) are also scanned and pictured on
the website. All other “Raw” coins can be scanned upon request.
We have also added some great dramatic Currency Errors to our website under the
Raw section of our Inventory page. Just click on “Currency Errors” to see
the list and scans of them.
When ordering, please try to be as specific as possible as to which coin(s) you
are interested in – Raw or Certified, Date, Denomination, short description,
grade, and price.
You may call on toll free line (800) 338-6533 or email us with your orders.
All items are subject to prior sale.
Fred Weinberg
Mint Error News
Magazine
Issue #15 Now Available
April 25, 2006 -- Mint Error News Magazine #15 is now online! You can download a PDF copy of it here: http://minterrornews.com/issue15.pdf Give it some time to load because it is plenty long. If you are on the mailing list your copy will be mailed soon. Also, Mint Error News Magazine recently placed the error article content of every issue in one place. See the index here: http://minterrornews.com/contentlist.html
Mike Byers' 2006 Catalog Now Available
December 12, 2004 -- Mike Byers has released his massive 128 page catalog on Major Minting Error and Trial and Pattern strikes. It is available in printed and pdf file formats. The pdf version can be viewed here: http://byersnc.com/2005catalog.pdf. Contact Byers at mike@mikebyers.com for information on how to order the spiral bound printed version.
Jim's Coins & Stamps Releases Mail Bid Auction Catalog
November 12, 2004 -- Jim's Coins & Stamps has released their fifth Major Mint Error Coin and Currency mail bid auction catalog. Issue#5 boasts new sharper images of many of the over 500 auction lots brought about by a new technology now being employed by the auctioneers. To get on the list for future mailings send $8 for six catalogs to Jim's C&S, Hillsdale Shopping Center, 702 N. Midvale Blvd. B-2, Madison, WI 53705 or see it on the Internet here: www.jimscoins.net. Addendum: Jim's continues to send new issues all of which have been great! We have not had time to update the image but otherwise all the above info is still current as it applies to the newer issues of Jim's catalogs.
To get news of your mint error and/or variety list/catalog in this section, send a brief write up on how to obtain it along with an image if desired. As long as we aware of the fact catalogs are continuously being issued we will leave the notice up , however, we will not change the dates or issue numbers or update images unless that information is specifically supplied to us for the website with a short press release (in other words, don't wait for us to write the release). Offer open to CONECA members only. Thank you!
New To The Web Site
Two-Headed Coins Unlucky For
Some
by Ken Potter -- NLG
Above is an image of a so-called two-headed nickel
still sealed in the blister-pack card that it was marketed in.
Photo courtesy of Ken Potter
October 26, 2003 -- Without a doubt the most frequent question that we receive is about two-headed or two-tailed coins. There are occasional variations to the theme such as a Kennedy half dollar mated with a Mexican 20-centavos reverse or a Lincoln cent mated with a Roosevelt ten-cent reverse or a dime mated with a foreign coin reverse, etc., that are all related. What we say here will most often apply to them also ...
CONECA's Glossary Expanded!
Includes Color Images
Photo © Ken Potter 2002/ Coin courtesy of
Larry Allegrina.
Example of a "Dropped Character" Error
Photo © Ken Potter 2002
Example of a "Double Strike"
July 19, 2003 -- While the CONECA web site has offered
a Glossary of Terms for several years -- it was unillustrated. However, all that is
changing! If you go in and look now, you will see we are adding images in the
form of links to many photos that we used on this web site in the past and many new ones.
In fact -- most are new!
This will be a work in progress so please come back and visit often to
see what has been added. Also, your help in the form of images to illustrate the
glossary is needed. At this point you will notice that the majority of images are of
coins that your webmaster supplied! Your webmaster wants that to change! If
you have high quality photographs of error and variety coins available (that you took or
otherwise own the rights to), we encourage you to look through them and send some of your
best shots.
Do not be afraid of duplication. We are interested in showing
more than one shot of most error types. For example we already have two images up to
illustrate the curved clip error.
Additionally, there will be some changes to the way the glossary is set
up. As it is now, it is hard to find things. For example: if you are
looking for a definition of curved clip you must scroll down to "single curved
clip" to find it. That's not the way it should be! In the near future we
will begin to reorganize and you will then be able to find "curved clip" under
"curved clips" with the variations subcategorized under that main heading.
We will also be adding in many popular terms that are not present at this time.
Again, this will be a work in progress but as we see it -- we have the
"guts" to best online error-variety coins glossary out there already --
and now it's just going to get better!
Sincerely yours,
Ken Potter
CONECA Board Seat #5 - Webmaster
Send images to: CONECA
Website Images
Interesting Coin Facts ...
Not All Silver Dated 1964
Was Struck In 1964!
Photo © Ken Potter 2005
This 1964 Curved Clip Dime Could Have Been Minted
Anytime Between Jan 1964 and April of 1966
While most collectors believe that 1964 was the last year that the United States Mints struck 90% silver coins for circulation -- 1966 was actually the last year of the 90% silver coinage output for circulation! Specifically, 1964 dated 90% silver coins were produced from January 1964 through April of 1966!
CONECA was formed through a merger of CONE and NECA in early 1983. In what seems to have been such a short time -- we are now celebrating our 23rd Anniv