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Have Error Coins? Here’s How To Tell A Normal Or Altered Coin From A Real Error Coin

Error coins are something that a lot of readers here at The Fun Times Guide to Coins ask about in the comments section. I've seen many people post photos of real error coins that they've found in their pocket change, and it's always exciting for me to tell them that they've found a rare, valuable, or unique error coin. Many times, though, I have the unfortunate duty to tell some readers that their "error" coins are really just damaged, altered, or simply normal. I'm going to share with … [Read more...]

Answers To Your Questions About Strange Coins: Tokens, Big Coins, Tiny Coins, Two-Headed Coins, Blank Coins & Colored Coins

Unusual looking coins definitely raise a lot of eyebrows. They also raise a lot of questions. With regard to strange coins, these are the 3 types of questions I get the most: I've gotten a lot of questions from people asking about old tokens they've found. I also get asked about big coins, tiny coins, and other things that look like coins but aren't legal tender. Several people want to know what's up with coins that are blank on one side and two-headed coins. Are these odd … [Read more...]

What Are Doubled Die Coins?

I get a lot of questions here from readers about doubled die coins – more specifically, inquiries that are accompanied by photos of coins which appear to have doubling of their designs. Sometimes a lucky individual will have a real doubled die coin, but sometimes no. So, what exactly is a doubled die? And, what is a die? And, why was the die doubled? Let’s take a moment and double down on what a doubled die is (note the “d” at the end of “double”; double die coin isn’t the correct … [Read more...]

Have a Silver Penny That’s NOT a 1943 Steel Cent? Here’s How to Find Out What You Have

A lot of people leaving comments here at The Fun Times Guide to Coins have been asking me about their silver pennies. Of course, many of these silver one-cent coins are 1943 pennies, which really aren’t silver pennies. They're actually made with zinc-coated steel. However, many of these inquiries about silver pennies have nothing to do with 1943 Lincoln cents or even the highly rare 1944 steel cent (a mint error caused by leftover steel coin blanks getting accidentally getting stamped with … [Read more...]

The 1955 Poor Man’s Doubled Die Penny

Lincoln cent collectors everywhere have several coins that they strive to have in their collections, with the 1955 doubled die penny being among the elite list of rare pennies that they seek. However, with estimates that there are roughly only 15,000 or so 1955 doubled die pennies available today, there simply aren’t enough to satisfy the demands of all Lincoln penny collectors. And, there is that price thing, too… You’re looking at spending $1,000 to $1,500 even for a well-worn … [Read more...]

Zincolns: Collecting The Lincoln Zinc Penny

Zincoln cents... er... Lincoln cents. Well, ever since the United States Mint began striking Lincoln pennies with a primarily zinc composition back in 1982, some coin collectors have jokingly been referring to modern zinc Lincoln cents as Zincolns. Check out the story behind zinc Lincoln cents, what are these pennies worth, and how many zinc Lincoln cents have been made in recent years!   … [Read more...]

What To Look For In Damaged Coins – Example: Is This A Nickel Error Coin?

We received these pictures from a loyal reader who subscribes to our Coin Newsletter.        He wrote: Could you please check out this Nickle [sic] which I found amongst my other nickels and let me know if it's an error coins? please view attachment with scan of both sides of the coin. Your help would be highly appriciated [sic]. -- Edwin Curious about this nickel? Read on to get the answer...   … [Read more...]

5 Popular Wheat Penny Error Coins

It seems everybody likes collecting Lincoln wheat pennies. Wheat cents, which were last made in 1958, show the familiar image of President Lincoln on the obverse and two stalks of wheat, signifying prosperity, on the reverse. While tens of millions of these Lincoln wheat pennies were made without flaw from 1909 to 1958, there were several which ended up with errors that eventually turned them into valuable and sought-after collectibles. Let's take a look at 5 of the most popular wheat … [Read more...]