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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/How do you tell the difference between Doubled Dies and Strike Doubling?

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Expert: - 3/13/2010


Question
I once sent you a picture of a coin I believed to be a doubled die, but you told me it was the worthless strike doubling variety. Since then I have amassed at least 40 quarters which all  have doubled letters on them. So I was just curious on how to tell the difference? Because they look exactly the same to me.

In one of the links you gave me a while back, the website would allow you to send in coins to be properly checked for doubled dies, but for $5 a coin, I would probably end up losing money.

Unfortunately I cant find any of the old pictures on my computer and my camera isnt working right now.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Kyle:

Thanks for the opportunity to answer your questions again.

Basically, strike doubling is flat, and not two distinct images, where die doubling is raised and distinct. Rather than go into a long description of how to tell the differences, I'm going to provide a link that describes this well and includes photos. Some experts feel anything that results in an error caused by the mint should be considered as collectible and sometimes valuable. The errors caused by strike doubling seem to be getting more notice. See: http://www.coinbidders.com/Strike%20Doubling%20Flyer%20-%20PDF.pdf

You are right. At $5 a coin, this would not be a wise decision on getting the coins looked at.

I'm not sure whether I gave you these links on the other question, so I've provided two links for you to see what type of other non-error coins exist.
See link: http://coinauctionshelp.com/page15.html
See link: http://conecaonline.org/content/OhNo.htm

For examples of real errors see: http://coinauctionshelp.com/page14.html

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You again, and continued Good Luck in your collecting.  

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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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