My Fun Find Last Week: Unraveling a 1919-S Coin Mystery

Just the other day, I came across a really interesting 1919-S coin in my collection. It got me thinking about doubled die errors, and I spent a good chunk of time digging into them. You know, as a coin enthusiast, it’s these little moments of discovery that keep me hooked on numismatics. They’re thrilling! So I thought I’d share my journey with you – what turned out to be a pretty fascinating mystery.

The Exciting Discovery

Last week, I was going through some of my older coins when I spotted something odd on a 1919-S penny. Some of the letters and numbers seemed a bit thicker, like they were doubled. My heart skipped a beat – “Could this be a rare doubled die?” But I’ve been around the block enough to know not to get too excited right away. So I grabbed my phone (you don’t need fancy equipment, just a decent smartphone camera) and took some clear photos to get a closer look.

Machine Doubling vs. Doubled Die Errors

One of the first things I do when I see doubling is figure out if it’s machine doubling or a true doubled die. You see, machine doubling (sometimes called “worthless doubling”) happens during the strike and doesn’t add value. It looks flat and kind of shelf-like, not sharp and separate like a real doubled die. On my 1919-S, the doubling was flat and fuzzy – classic machine doubling. Bummer, I know. It wasn’t the treasure I’d dreamed of, but it’s still a neat coin to learn from!

• Key differences: Real doubled dies come from mistakes when the die was made, so the doubling is distinct. Machine doubling is just the coin shifting during striking.
• Why it matters: Only true doubled die errors are rare and valuable. Machine doubling? It’s pretty common and usually just a curiosity piece.

Verifying with VarietyVista

To double-check (no pun intended!), I hopped onto VarietyVista.com. It’s my favorite spot for looking up coin varieties. If it’s not listed there, chances are it’s not a recognized error. Sure enough, for the 1919-S, there were no doubled die varieties listed. That pretty much confirmed it was machine doubling. It reminded me of a 1964 penny I found years back – I thought it might be something special, but VarietyVista showed it was DDO-022, a minor error. The lesson? Always check trusted sources so you don’t get your hopes up for nothing.

Die Numbers and FS Designations Explained

Here’s something that trips up a lot of collectors: the difference between die numbers and FS designations. FS numbers (like FS-101 or FS-104 for those famous 1972 doubled dies) are just labels experts use to catalog varieties. They’re not the actual die numbers from the mint. For example, FS-104 is super rare and valuable, but others might be more common. But don’t confuse them with die numbers – the mint used tons of dies, and without records, matching a die to a variety is pretty much a wild goose chase. My advice? Stick to the FS listings when you’re looking at value and rarity. Forget about chasing down the original die.

Practical Tips for Collectors

After my little adventure, I thought I’d pass along a few tips that might help you out. First, always check your coins under good light with a magnifier – real doubled dies have sharp, separate doubling, not flat and mushy. Second, make VarietyVista your best friend; it’s saved me from calling a coin something it’s not more times than I can count. Third, if you think you’ve found a variety, do your homework on how rare it is. For instance, since there are no known doubled dies for 1919-S, finding one would be like winning the lottery. And last but not least, remember that even minor errors are great for learning. They might not be worth a fortune, but they’ll make you a smarter collector. Keep looking – you never know what you might find!

This whole experience was a great reminder of why I love coin collecting so much. Every coin has a story to tell. Even though this one wasn’t a jackpot, the excitement of the hunt and what I learned along the way? That’s priceless. Happy hunting, everyone – here’s hoping your next find is a real showstopper!