Error collecting is an interesting part of the hobby. Combined with variety collectors, those interested in finding coins that are not what the U.S. Mint intended is a specialty that requires a bit of education and persistence. Some of the errors and varieties collectors look for are doubled dies, repunched mint marks, clipped planchets, off-centered coins, off-metal coins, strike-throughs, and even differences in one set of dies from another.
Error collecting is a relatively new specialty. The specialty can be traced to the discovery of the famous 1955 Lincoln Cent Double Obverse, now called the king of errors. Its discovery lead to people beginning to search for errors, varieties, and anything out of the ordinary.
As a result, two organizations were formed to serve various collectors. After two decades of competition, they joined forces to create the Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America (CONECA). CONECA now provides education services, publications, and attribution services. Its membership are responsible for some of the definitive guides to errors, including the Cherrypicker’s Guide to Rare Die Varieties by J.T. Stanton and Bill Fivaz.
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of CONECA. To commemorate this milestone, CONECA has created a medal that will be produced in silver, silver clad, and bronze. What makes these medals special is that CONECA will be offering various “error” versions of the medals. The five variety of errors will include an off-center and various form of double strikes. You can also buy a medal that does not simulate an error.
For ordering information, see the CONECA website. When you get there, search for “25th Anniversary Medals Program” to see the medals and ordering information.
Whomever thought of creating errors from the commemorative medal deserves a pat on the back. It is a wonderful idea!
Medal images courtesy of CONECA.