Decoding Errors vs. PMD: My Numismatic Journey

I’ve collected coins as a hobby for more than two decades, but only in the past year did I really buckle down to master telling errors apart from post-mint damage. Honestly? It’s still tricky enough to make me stare at coins until my eyes cross. But after countless hours comparing coins under magnification, I’ve gathered some practical tips that might save you from the same frustration.

My Hard-Won Lessons in Error Spotting

When I upgraded from a basic loupe to a microscope setup, I naively thought I’d instantly spot every mint error. Reality check! Take that 1966 Lincoln cent I spent hours examining – the rim lettering had me convinced it was an error until I realized it was damage. What finally clicked for me:

• Watch the metal flow: If you see dents surrounded by raised metal (like above ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’), that’s classic PMD – think of a hammer hitting soft copper.
• Focus on the flat spots: True die clashes usually show up in low-relief areas, while damage loves high points. Remember how soft copper cents distort from minor bumps? That’s fooled me more times than I’d like to admit.
• Ask the production question: Could this realistically happen during striking? Rim clashes do exist but are rare unicorns compared to common damage.

Lincoln cents became my training wheels – the more I studied ordinary finds, the better I got at spotting the extraordinary ones.

Why 1982 Cents Still Excite Me

While hunting errors, I fell down the 1982 penny rabbit hole. What a fascinating transition year! The Mint switched from copper to zinc cores mid-production, creating seven business strike varieties plus some holy grails. Here’s what keeps me searching:

• Denver’s famous mistake: The 1982-D small date copper cent? Only two confirmed exist. Finding one would be like winning our hobby’s lottery.
• Weight tells the story: Copper cents (3.1g) feel noticeably heavier than zinc ones (2.5g). Philadelphia minted both date sizes in both metals, Denver mostly stuck to large dates for copper, and San Francisco added proofs to the mix.
• Value realities: While the Red Book gives ballpark figures, I’ve learned actual worth depends entirely on condition. My advice? Hunt 1982-D rolls and bring your scale!

These transitional years remind me why I love numismatics – there’s always another layer to discover.

Tools That Actually Help (Without Breaking the Bank)

Early on, I wasted money thinking I needed lab-grade equipment. Truth is, my most-used tools cost less than dinner out:

• Trusty reference books: My worn Red Book lives beside my magnifier – its error section saved me from many misattributions.
• Online image libraries: Bookmarking sites with clear die clash examples helped me more than any microscope. Seeing side-by-side comparisons trains your eye.
• Patience over gear: Start with pocket change. I cut my teeth examining every Lincoln cent I found until the patterns clicked. There’s no substitute for hands-on looking.

What keeps me going isn’t just the valuable finds – it’s that electric moment when you spot something unusual and realize you’ve finally learned to see. Keep at it, and soon you’ll be spotting those errors too!