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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/How do you appraise doubled die lettering?

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Expert: - 10/23/2009


Question

doubled die
Hello, I am curious as to how a certain value is given to certain doubled dies? I'm assuming how obvious the doubled die is has one thing to do with it, but what about denomination or how common on a certain coin it is?

The picture attached is just one example of ten state quartes I have that have doubled dies on them. Most of the doubling appears on "In God We Trust." Two appear on "The Bay State" on the Massachusettes quarter. One appears on "United States." And I have two more that appear on "In God We Trust" on the older Washington quarters.

What would the value on these be approximately?

Answer
Hi Jeff:

The picture you provided appears not to be a true doubled die, but rather strike doubling, and worth little to an error collector. I've provided some links for you to review relative to the doubled die classifications.

CONECA Doubled Die Numbering System: http://www.varietyvista.com/Doubled%20Die%20Numbering%20System.htm

John Wexler is one of the prime  experts in doubled dies. He has a number of books he authored and is always finding new varieties. Here's his link: http://doubleddie.com/  You will find books as well as coins for sale. You can get an idea of the doubled die values. The range is from close to face value to thousands of dollars.

The value of doubled dies is dependent on several elements. Among these is the class of doubled die (some are scarcer), the amount of doubling, how many are known, collector interest, coin grade, denomination. An example of a rare doubled die might be a $20 gold piece, but the cost of the coin is so limited to the average collector that it is a non-collectible error for most of us, so it's value as an error would tend to be minimal.

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Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.

Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

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