Do you value die errors or varieties?

Years ago I never paid much attention to die errors, particularly because U.S. die errors can sometimes be;
a) very expensive to buy and
b) even harder to find.

I was only able to begin to enjoy collecting error coins and varieties after I began collecting Canada cents. Now I can't help but to check every detail on coins and when I find one it is always exciting for me..  In the last batch of world coins I purchased I found a few coins with errors and I set them aside to keep for myself.. The coins were pretty common but to me the error makes them "unique", and slightly more valuable.
But I realize not everyone see's them this way.

Recently while preparing coins for a swap, I discovered a few I had missed with errors on them. After a brief discussion with my trading partner about these coins, I began to wonder about the value of errors in a swap..
Are they interesting or unique to you?
Do they have any value?
What are your thoughts on collecting or swapping errors?
 

  I collect errors - every coin I get in pocket change I do not mix with my other change straight away. Same with banknotes. I look through all I get for errors.
  Which is how I found these three UK die rotation errors recently and a coin with missing milling ...




   These are what I call errors -
wrong alignment, missing milling, missing mintmarks, missing privy marks, wrong shape e.g. round not seven-sided, mules, etc
   So errors to me are not -
extra metal (cuds) on a coin, double-stamped, cracked dies, etc
 Just my opinion of course.  

 Nearly forgot these errors I collect (and own) as well - bimetal coins that only went through the first pressing i.e. just got edge lettering and nothing on obverse and reverse ...

I try not to, mostly in the interests of having a realistic expectation of completing a collection. My main interest is GB pennies 1797 - 1967 and the sheer number of varities of mid Victorian copper is just bewildering. As a rule of thumb, I include only significant die changes, for example with 20th century pennies I consider only the 1926ME and 1902LT to be substantial enough to warrant consideration as a separate coin. It becomes a little more complicated if you go back another 50 years with a lot of small but widely collected varieties. At present my view is that I am aware of them and can recognise most. Where I find anything with a large premium I would look to exchange it with someone who wishes to include it.

Error coins don't interest me at all except as curios. I've seen the pictures of some of ZacUK's errors and I can see the attraction even if I don't share it.

I think they're interesting, but not much more. They are like toning to me-- just another way of making the coin more unique albeit I usually find toning to be more appealing.

I have two errors; one (I forget what its called) was given to me as an error, and one is a 'waterstruck' norwegian coin which I identified/found among my own collection

I personally Love Errors! I have a terrible addiction to them. My interest began with US small cents 1959-date. Now, I collect any error I find. Mostly US coinage and some US paper money. I have many Key Date US coins that I would trade in an instant for an error coin that peaked my interest, even if it meant being on the "losing end" of a deal. I find their uniqueness to be something that I cannot resist.

Quote: jbird01I have many Key Date US coins that I would trade in an instant for an error coin that peaked my interest, even if it meant being on the "losing end" of a deal.

Hmm... good to know... you have a beautiful coin from Honduras, If I come across a nice error I'll come straight to you  

I am sure that we could work something out!

I don't bother with them.  It was the same when I was collecting stamps.  My reason is the same as Phil, trying to get a complete collection would be nigh on impossible.  I spend enough money trying to get the coins I want now without trying to get all the errors and varieties as well.

I only pay attention if it's something significant. Even then I wouldn't put a hefty price tag on it unless it was well known and rare.

I'm not too fussed on varieties only with my newer era pennies like the low and high tide pennies, decorative and ornamental tridents, big and small dates modifies effigies etc..

If I get a coin with rotation I would just spend it although I can't say I've ever noticed any !
Its never really bothered me - except I would like the recalled 50pence swimming coin !

Yes I enjoy all of those as well, but some of those can also be the pricey ones I mentioned as being out of my budget.. An example of a coin error I feel should NOT be included in a series is that dammed U.S. one cent 1955 double die error. This coin is the biggest tease ever produced, just about every coin album in the U.S. has a hole for it, and starting at around $500 so basically 90% of collectors have an empty space in their penny book. Same goes for the canadian "dot" cent, I mean why include spaces in coin folders for coins NO one will be able to find or afford, and if they did why would they stick it in a cheap $2 coin folder????

I like collecting the die varieties in the early Canada large cents, where for example the design was altered slightly on different years. Or mismatch die pairs were used..  Also in the Victorian coins where the letter "V" was flipped and used as an "A".

Also I like finding these more common ones like die cracks. And some recently found were what are called die chips. For example i found a Colombian 10 Centavos where the center of all the letters "C" "O" and "A" chipped off and left only blobs of metal.. Or where the die breaks at the rim leaving extra metal. And another I found struck slightly off center, where the beads around the boarder are stamped on top of the rim.

The Canadian small cents also are my favorites for finding errors. Like the small bead / large bead, or the famous die clash that produces a "hanging" last digit in the date. And so forth.

These are errors that are not included or needed to complete a set, and can be found simply by searching your coins. That's what makes it fun and affordable.

I only ever leave gaps in my albums for realistic coins if I were to ever get one of these rare coins I would just re-shuffle my album !
For instance in rhodesia section I have the gap for the 3c when they uni-laterally declared independence, and the 1 shilling of rhodesia and Nyasaland.
I have not left a gap within the African section for Sierra Leone company coins. Same in Canada too everything from 1911- 1936 is in km order but I have left the gap for silver varieties (23 & 23a) but not for the gold stuff as I know it's not likely I will be getting one any time soon where as collecting the varieties is more than likely I will have them all after London, and the 2 types of dollar before 2014

Quote: Mark240590I'm not too fussed on varieties only with my newer era pennies like the low and high tide pennies, decorative and ornamental tridents, big and small dates modifies effigies etc..

If I get a coin with rotation I would just spend it although I can't say I've ever noticed any !
Its never really bothered me - except I would like the recalled 50pence swimming coin !

When was this 1st discovered Mark ?

Quote: Mark240590Its never really bothered me - except I would like the recalled 50pence swimming coin !

Quote: tony_k_1965When was this 1st discovered Mark ?

  It was after design stage and some were actually minted and circulated, then the Royal Mint were not happy that there were too many water lines across the design. So the current redesign was issued.



   I found this quote "The “underwater swimmer” variety of the Aquatics 50p (where the water obscures the swimmer’s face) was issued in very limited numbers in the first packs and keen collectors are eagerly snapping them up - modern coins are interesting once again".

I just looked on ebay only 1 available with a asking price of 3k. just checked mines as I bought them when they 1st started you could only get the 1st 8 I think, needless to say I don't have the recalled 1. My next step is to go to as many post offices within reason and ask to view all there aquatics 50p's.
p.s. thankyou for the info Zac.

Quote: tony_k_1965I just looked on ebay only 1 available with a asking price of 3k. just checked mines as I bought them when they 1st started you could only get the 1st 8 I think, needless to say I don't have the recalled 1. My next step is to go to as many post offices within reason and ask to view all there aquatics 50p's.
p.s. thankyou for the info Zac.

I did do that at one of my Post Offices! No dice!

I do like some of the names of errors for the new zealand coins.  There's one on one of the early shillings called the "broken back error" where the grass skirt on the maori warrior doesn't quite meet the back.  There's also one on the 1999 5c coin called the "wart error" where the queens nose has a bump that looks like she has a wart.

while sorting my India Republic coins I have noticed quite a few of the 1 rupee with cracked dies, weak strike, and ghosting.
I take it the quality control isn't upto scratch.

I have a 2012 5p where the day is very weak

Looking through some of my South American coins i noticed several with weak strikes from worn dies and struck off center.

Some varieties and errors are ok in my book. Sometimes, I do wonder, if the mints are trying to cater to individuals with OCD. The position A & B as well as magnetic & non-magnetic varieties are really irritating to me.

Quote: torontokubaSome varieties and errors are ok in my book. Sometimes, I do wonder, if the mints are trying to cater to individuals with OCD. The position A & B as well as magnetic & non-magnetic varieties are really irritating to me.

Magnetic and Non-Magnetic I find an interesting one...but Position A & B...just another reason for a different variety...pah! That one is ridiculous. 50% chance anyway isn't it?

Quote: bam777

Quote: torontokubaSome varieties and errors are ok in my book. Sometimes, I do wonder, if the mints are trying to cater to individuals with OCD. The position A & B as well as magnetic & non-magnetic varieties are really irritating to me.

Magnetic and Non-Magnetic I find an interesting one...but Position A & B...just another reason for a different variety...pah! That one is ridiculous. 50% chance anyway isn't it?

torontokuba; They may be trying to cater to people with OCD but it's really messing with people like me that  wrestle with A.D.D. ..... You see I meant to send someone this coin:

https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces21800.html

But instead I accidentally sent the magnetic variety  
So now I have to keep a magnet on my desk when sorting coins..

But I prefer magnetic and non-magnetic varieties more than position A&B

Quote: harry213So now I have to keep a magnet on my desk when sorting coins..

I too keep a magnet handy and check twice before I send any of those coins.

when you get a big lot in go over it with an ultra powerful magnet, all those coins picked up go in a separate container...simple.

neilithic: that is a splendid idea I must  say and the thought has entered my mind on several occasions.

I do the magnet test but only when necessary as they can cause reasonable damage to say a ef+ or unc coin.

Quote: tony_k_1965I do the magnet test but only when necessary as they can cause reasonable damage to say a ef+ or unc coin.

It's a bit like rummaging and just throwing the coins around looking for something good. Take your time.

Quote: neilithicwhen you get a big lot in go over it with an ultra powerful magnet, all those coins picked up go in a separate container...simple.

No thanks, I do not wish to handle my coins that way. When I test, it's a small magnet and the coin is usually in a plastic baggie or holder, when the magnet picks it up.

Quote: torontokuba

Quote: neilithicwhen you get a big lot in go over it with an ultra powerful magnet, all those coins picked up go in a separate container...simple.

No thanks, I do not wish to handle my coins that way. When I test, it's a small magnet and the coin is usually in a plastic baggie or holder, when the magnet picks it up.

Exactly, I use small pen magnet just a little bit of drag is enough to show it's magnetic.

Quote: torontokuba

Quote: neilithicwhen you get a big lot in go over it with an ultra powerful magnet, all those coins picked up go in a separate container...simple.

No thanks, I do not wish to handle my coins that way. When I test, it's a small magnet and the coin is usually in a plastic baggie or holder, when the magnet picks it up.

Much safer for the coin...also a weaker strength magnet is sometimes a better idea...less attraction rather than a powerful Earth magnet. I like the idea of putting it in a baggy, I haven't tried that yet.

That's a good point about the rare earth magnets..
I currently use a refrigerator magnet, the kind used to post notes, it is very weak and surrounded by plastic so it won't damage an unprotected coin. But I also have some "rare earth" magnets that I stripped out of some old computer hard drives.. Man are those things ever powerfull!!  Anything that sticks to these require a screwdriver to pry it off.. So it probably would be a bad ideas for use on coins.

But still, for going through large lots of coins I have something that may be helpful. I am thinking of employing this handy little gadget I picked up at a car parts store. It is a telescopic magnet used for retrieving dropped screws, nuts and small ferrous objects from hard-to-reach places.



I think this should be very gentle and safe for detecting magnetic / non magnetic......

Quote: harry213That's a good point about the rare earth magnets..
I currently use a refrigerator magnet, the kind used to post notes, it is very weak and surrounded by plastic so it won't damage an unprotected coin. But I also have some "rare earth" magnets that I stripped out of some old computer hard drives.. Man are those things ever powerfull!!  Anything that sticks to these require a screwdriver to pry it off.. So it probably would be a bad ideas for use on coins.

But still, for going through large lots of coins I have something that may be helpful. I am thinking of employing this handy little gadget I picked up at a car parts store. It is a telescopic magnet used for retrieving dropped screws, nuts and small ferrous objects from hard-to-reach places.



I think this should be very gentle and safe for detecting magnetic / non magnetic......

I have one of those, the magnetic is quite powerful but I use it anyway.

Quote: bam777I have one of those, the magnetic is quite powerful but I use it anyway.

I will have to at least give it a try.. I like that it's magnet is just a small disc on the end so no worry about it sticking or rubbing on the entire coins surface.. I could also just use it on the edge of the coin as a precaution if I don't have a plastic baggy handy.

Quote: harry213

Quote: bam777I have one of those, the magnetic is quite powerful but I use it anyway.

I will have to at least give it a try.. I like that it's magnet is just a small disc on the end so no worry about it sticking or rubbing on the entire coins surface.. I could also just use it on the edge of the coin as a precaution if I don't have a plastic baggy handy.

Yes, I recommend using it on the edge of a coin.

The 2 magnets I have are lethal haha ! One is an old horse shoe shaped one and the other is exactly the same as the one pnightingale uses which used to live in my dad's tool-box so god knows how old they are (white square plastic thing with a hook that goes through it).

Y'all could just put the baggy over the magnet.

Ha!! Phil i'm glad i'm not the only one that thought about that. I guess sometimes it's the obvious and simple things that often get overlooked.

Quote: pnightingaleY'all could just put the baggy over the magnet.

Since many coins are already in holder or baggie, there is no need. For loose coins, I just place the same piece of plastic between the coin being tested and magnet. I do not have to saran wrap anything.