Topic
Errors & Varieties
The word "error" gets thrown around loosely — sometimes by sellers who are excited, sometimes by buyers hoping to find treasure in a shoebox. These guides cut through the hype: what qualifies as a genuine production error, why printing varieties are different from damage, and how to sanity-check a note before you pay an error premium or walk away from a legitimate find.
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The first Errors & Varieties guides are in production. Here's a preview of what's planned — check back shortly or use the calculator while you wait.
ERRORS
What Actually Counts as an Error Note
A plain-English breakdown of offset printing, missing ink, inverted backs, and foldover errors — with the key question graders ask first: did the press do it, or did someone do it afterward?
ERRORS
Why "Rare Error" Listings Aren't Always What They Seem
Common ways legitimate-looking errors turn out to be damage, cutting anomalies, or post-print alterations — and the three checks you can run in 30 seconds.
VARIETIES
Varieties vs. Errors: The Difference and Why It Matters for Value
A variety is documented and repeatable; an error is a one-off. Understanding the distinction changes how you research and price a note.