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New! Cherrypickers' Guide

Discolored Sac & Prez Dollars
What Are They?

    June 27, 2009 -- Starting in 2000 when the Sacagawea dollars were first released to the public, collectors began finding coins with surface discoloration that ranged from light to dark and spotty to relatively uniform.  Colors ranged from all shades of brown to olive-green to gray or nearly black with a touch of iridescence thrown in for good measure.  Nobody knew what the discoloration represented and after the hobby made several inquires to the Mint, the prevailing answer seemed to be that they were the result of incompletely or improperly washed planchets.  To some it seemed a dubious answer but it was all we had.  Additionally, it seemed that fewer were being found on later-date issues.  This was probably because, like its predecessor, the Susan B. Anthony dollar, it flopped with the public and far fewer were minted after 2000 with those that were produced restricted to numismatic sales.  In time the subject just fizzed out and was forgotten.

See The Rest Of The Story

In The News ...
2009-D DC Quarter DDR Sees Commercial Interest

Photo © Ken Potter 2009 / Coin Courtesy of Lee Maples
Here is the photo of Lee Maples' 2009-D DDR reported April 1

    June 27, 2009 -- According to a story in the May 12 issue of Numismatic News, A 2009-D District of Columbia quarter has turned out to be one of the most prominent of the centralized doubled dies seen in recent years. It boasts very strong doubling of ELL of Duke Ellington's last name, some doubling of the piano keys and panel below. All these elements were shifted diagonally to the southeast of the normal design with very wide separation.
    Prominent hobbyists like what they see of it so far. It has the makings of a commercial winner if a sizable number can be found.  A number of experts in the field who have some knowledge of the commercial market for doubled dies were interviewed and their comments noted in the story.

See The Numismaster Story

See More DC Quarter Doubled Die Listings Here

In The News ...
New Centralized Canadian Doubled Die Dollar Found

Photo © Ken Potter 2009 / Coin courtesy of Steve Olter

    June 02, 2009 -- This month's lead coin in Ken Potter's World Coin News column, Visiting Varieites, is a very interesting doubled die shown on a Canadian 1978 proof-like nickel dollar.  According to Potter, "Steve Olter of Michigan sent it in asking what I though of the raised area found on the reverse Voyageur design.  The area in question is found on the island fairly well centered between the Indian and fur trader that the Mint refers to a “voyageur.”  At first glance it was clear that it did not exhibit the usual characteristics of a die dent, die gouge or die break.  It was smooth and rounded as if it has been hubbed there as a part of the design.  Since it certainly did not belong there and had to be a displaced area of “extra design” from an early hubbing I determined that it was just a matter of examining the coin to find out were the point of origin of the secondary design was.  In short order I found the most probable answer.  The extra design appears to fit well within the confines and shape of the lowermost left branch of the left evergreen tree."  Other coins featured included repunched date on a Canadian 1899 cent sent in by Olter and a 1965 Canadian Small Beads nickel with an interesting die gouge sent in by Jerry Kennison.

Commercial News ...
World's Greatest Mint Errors Now Available!

    May 15, 2009 -- World's Greatest Mint Errors is an enjoyable resource packed full of some of the most dramatic, rare and extraordinary mint errors and die trials ever assembled in one publication.
    According to author, Mike Byers, "this book combines stunning imagery with the most accurate information available to provide anyone interested in mint errors with the latest information on mint error coins from the United States and around the world.
    The release of World's Greatest Mint Errors will ignite an interest in non-collectors and advanced collectors alike. This book is a must have for every numismatic library!"
    The United States Mint produces billions of coins each year. But, on occasion, a coin escapes the Mint that was never intended for general circulation. These most unusual coins, called mint errors, can fetch tens of thousands of dollars from dealers or collectors in the numismatic market.
    For anyone interested in learning more about these uncanny mint-made mistakes, World's Greatest Mint Errors is an enjoyable resource packed full of some of the most dramatic, rare and extraordinary mint errors and die trials ever assembled in one publication.

    Hundreds of spectacular mint errors are pictured. Each error coin photo is presented in full color, and enlarged to enhance the smallest details. Some of the error coins featured in this book have never been seen by the public before, and each is described in great detail as to the type of error, the assigned grade, rarity and estimated value.
    Byers, also included at the end of most chapters are extensive price charts. " This pricing was compiled by leading mint error dealers from within the professional numismatic community and will serve the reader well as a useful guide to mint errors and die trial values. The information found within these pages will bring anyone interested in mint errors up to date with the latest information on new discoveries, new types of errors and a collection of some of the most dramatic, unique and spectacular mint errors and die trials from the United States and around the world."
    Releasing today on May 15th, look for copies of World's Greatest Mint Errors at your local coin shop, or visit amazon.com. You can also order from Zyrus Press by mailing to PO Box 17810, Irvine, California 92623, calling (888) 622-7823, or online at zyruspress.com.

    Read More About The Book & Mike Byers

Collectors Share ...
Truckin' Cherrypicker Finds 3-Legged Buffalo
by Lee C. Roschen
"The Truckin' Cherrypicker"

Lee Roschen holds his thumb just below the unexpected 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nicklel found in this collection.

     June 08, 2009 -- I had to pass on my latest coin finds! A few months ago on my trucking travels, I stopped at a small town bank here in Minnesota ...one I had never stopped at before. In five rolls of half dollars, I found 31 silver and silver clads, including two 1964's. Not bad! So I badly wanted to stop at that very same bank as soon as possible again and did so a bit over a month ago. This time I plunked down $160 for sixteen rolls. I figured this time I would score maybe 80-90 silver halves, but ended up with only 28. However, this time the keepers included a 1954-D Franklin, a 1942 Walker, two 1964's, and the rest were 40% silver-clads. But that doesn't compare with what I came up with on Saturday morning 4-25-2009.
    I stopped at an antique store west of Minneapolis, and after looking more closely at some partially filled Whitman coin folders, purchased a Buffalo nickel folder with 43 Buffalo nickels in it for $75.00.
    About a half dozen didn't even have visible dates. This was one of the types of folders that has the clear plastic inserts that enables one to clearly see both the reverse and obverse sides of the nickels. I noticed toward the end of the folder that it had two (2) slots for 1937-D nickels ...one for the normal copy, and one for the rare 3-legged nickel. Both slots had a 1937 nickel in them, and I expected to find a filler coin in the 3-legged nickel slot being that the person who originally put this set together inserted dateless Buffalo nickels as I mentioned earlier. I was stunned when I spotted with the naked eye that the coin that was in the 1937-D 3-legged nickel slot was indeed just that!
    I immediately closed the folder, and calmly said to the clerk "yeah, I'll buy this one." In my opinion the coin grades VF-20. I have never had such an easy cherrypick as this one, and never one such as sweet.
    This folder also included a few nicer grade semi-key nickels, including a 1937-D with an RPM east in EF-45, a 1923-P in EF-40, a 1927-S in EF-40, a 1927-D in VF-20, and a 1926-S in Good-4. Needless to say, I will be stopping by this place again in the future to see what other good stuff has been overlooked behind the glass display case. Ironically, I had just talked with Cherrypickers' Guide co-author J.T. Stanton earlier that morning for the first time in several years. I had to call him back a short while later to inform him of my find as I know he like hearing about that kind of thing.
    These are the latest finds from my trucking travels.

    September 29, 2008 -- Back in September of last year I wrote a story for Numismatic News about several different edge variations that had been observed by various collectors over the country on 2007-P John Adams dollars.  One of the most important is what was being referred to as a Matte Finish edge on the 2007-P Adams dollars.  Another was the so-called Small and Large Font Edge Lettering dollars.

You can read more about them here:  Edge Varieties.

You can find them offered for sale here:  http://koinpro.tripod.com/ErrorVarietyList.htm.

    October 25, 2007 -- Yes, you can still find valuable coins! Professional Coin Grading Service has certified a recently discovered modern rarity, a 1969 San Francisco Mint doubled die obverse Lincoln Cent. It's graded PCGS Mint State 64 Red and tied for the finest known!
The coin was discovered by Michigan collector, Michael Tremonti, who was examining two rolls of uncirculated 1969-S cents on October 3. After consulting with well-known error-variety expert, Ken Potter, he (Potter) submitted the coin to PCGS. 

    "I was totally amazed that this coin could turn up out of nowhere. The coin is completely original and full mint red. It's a beautiful near-Gem example," said David Hall, PCGS co-founder and president of Collectors Universe, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLCT). "What an incredible find! This could be a six-figure coin." 

    Including this latest discovery piece, the PCGS Population Report indicates only 23 1969-S doubled die cents from Very Fine to MS-64, and only two are graded Mint State Red.

    The coin discovered by Tremonti has strong doubling on the obverse in the date, 1969, and the words, LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. It's described by Potter as "a Class I Rotated Hub with counter-clockwise doubling."

    A1969-S doubled die cent, graded PCGS MS-64 Red Brown was sold for $85,100 in the Bowers and Merena Auctions sale in August. The Tremonti coin is full red, tied for finest known with one other MS-64 Red, and with no higher grade examples in the PCGS Population Report.

    PCGS is a division of Collectors Universe, Inc.  For additional information about PCGS, call Customer Service at (800) 447-8848 or visit online at www.PCGS.com.

     October 20, 2007 -- Authors Brian Allen and Ken Potter received an Extraordinary Merit Award from the Numismatic Literary Guild for their book Strike It Rich With Pocket Change.  It was accepted for us by our publisher's representative Dave Harper at the NLG Bash held at the American Numismatic Association Convention in Milwaukee this August. Both of us would like to say "Thank You" to the NLG for the honor!  We'd also like to thank Krause for making it possible!  More information on the book can be found here:  Books & Supplies

    October 17, 2007 -- Professional Coin Grading Service of Newport Beach, CA has certified and graded the first Thomas Jefferson dollar to be found with a plain edge or what others call a smooth edge or missing the inscription.  The coin was originally reported by Bruce Countryman of Iowa who eventually sold it to Ken Potter.  The coin is still thought to be unique and is graded MS65.

     See PCGS Cert Verification Here

Read The Numismatic News Story Here

     October 20, 2007 -- It has come to our attention that "several hundred" possible "smooth edge" errors have been found.  According to a story appearing in Coin World, Fred Weinberg purchased the lot and sent it to PCGS for grading.  While Coin World crawled out on the limb and stated that they were "smooth edge" errors in their headline and opening paragraphs to the article, they also say further down in the article: "Weinberg said until he was able to physically examine all of the coins in the hoard, he believed the possibility existed that the coins might have exhibited the weak edge lettering for which thousands of pieces have been reported."  As such, at this point in time, we have no confirmation that any quantities exist but leave the door open that the possibility exists.  We will report on it further as we learn more.

     October 25, 2005 -- It has been confirmed that several hundred "Smooth Edge" Jefferson dollars were found and certified.  According the the official population report for the variety, exactly 301 pieces have been certified by PCGS with grades ranging from a single MS64 to a single MS68 and all the others with grades obviously falling in between.  These coins came to light three weeks after the original find reported by Bruce Countryman of Iowa and are said to have come from the Midwest.  Other details have been sketchy but we will report further as we learn more.

     October 17, 2007 -- Error-variety coin dealer, Ken Potter of Michigan announces that a “fresh” 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse #1 Lincoln cent has been discovered.  He said that a “local collector” cherrypicked a specimen from out of an uncirculated roll on October 6.  The coin was consigned to Potter to handle its sale and is currently at Professional Coin Grading Service of Newport Beach, CA for certification and grading.  He feels that it may very well tie for the finest piece graded or exceed it. He says that it appears to be just one of two mint state specimens known that is full red. 

See The Rest Of The Story & Images  

     August 24, 2007 -- On August 16, the day the new Thomas Jefferson Presidential dollars were released to the public, Chuck Chichinski of Bellefontaine, Ohio went to his bank to obtain his two rolls of the dollars.  Having read a report on the www.coins.about.com website that doubled dies existed on the Adams dollars, he quickly went to work to see if any of the new Jeffersons he had obtained had a similar affliction.  By the third or fourth coin in his first roll, he discovered that he had found his first Jefferson dollar doubled die reverse!  

See The Rest Of The Story

     Collectors in Florida and Michigan are finding quantities of the new 2007 P John Adams Presidential dollars with edge inscriptions applied twice to the edges.
     In each case the inscription “2007 P • E PLURIBUS UNUM • IN GOD WE TRUST” is impressed into the edge twice. 
     While most early sellers are being rather close-mouthed on exactly where they are finding them, the geographical locations identified for the “Item Location” in seller’s eBay auctions, where a number of the coins have appeared, suggests that most are being found in southeastern Michigan. Sellers are also noted from northern Ohio but it is not yet confirmed that these vendors obtained their coins in Ohio. Searchers in Florida also found at least 89 pieces by latest report.

See The Rest Of My Numismatic News Story Here

Note:  We Are Buying And Selling This Coin!  Call for our Buy/Sell Prices!

Double Edge Lettering &
Plain Edge 2007 Adams Dollars For Sale

     The first study published on the possible number of reverse dies involved in the production of the rare 1999 Lincoln cent variety with a proof-style "Wide AM" reverse was by G. J. Lawson in February of 2006 in his "List #96."  He identified four reverse dies as being used for the issue.  I found it hard to believe that a variety could be this rare (I estimate that fewer than 300 specimens are known) could have been struck by this many dies.  As such, I asked to examine the coins used in Lawson's study and walked away with different results.  I determined that two of the four dies that Lawson had identified as distinct reverse varieties may have in fact been stages of what I was able to attribute as being two distinct dies used for the issue. 

See The Rest Of The Story

     October 13, 2006 -- Three new doubled-die Oregon quarters join the initial find reported in Coin World and Numismatic News last month. Like the first variety, all were found in mint sets issued by the U.S. Mint, and all are Philadelphia issues.  News of the latest finds appeared in the October 16, 2006 issue of Coin World and on the Numismatic New website.

See The Full Story

See The Illustrated Oregon Listings

     October 09, 2006 -- The discovery of a doubled-die obverse may in fact be the beginning of a new string of discoveries as folks start to check both sides of the coin for doubled dies.  David Serbonich of New York sent in the first and only one to be reported thus far that is now listed as doubled-die obverse #1 (DDO#1) for this date, mint, denomination and type.

See The Rest Of The Story

See The Minnesota Doubled Die Listings

For More Stories Visit Our Article Index At:
The Educational Image Gallery

     September 16, 2006 -- Troy Watkins of Garrett, Ky., who was first to report a Minnesota doubled die, has now found a very significant doubled die reverse on an Oregon quarter!  The variety shows best as strongly doubled branches shifted to the south of the stronger primary design on the tall evergreen tree in the foreground to the right of the coin design. It also shows some doubling at the base of the highest relief areas of the rocky shoreline of the north-northeast rim of Crater Lake.  Stories on the variety can be found in the September 25 issue of Coin World and in the September 26 issue of Numismatic News.  

See The Rest Of The Story

For More Stories Visit Our Article Index At:
The Educational Image Gallery

Collector Finds ...
Proof  Minnesota Quarter Doubled Die Found!

    September 16, 2006 -- Since the last update on doubled dies found on Minnesota quarters, 15 more varieties have been added to the list! Fourteen of the newest finds are on the Philadelphia issue (bringing it to a total of 39) while our 15th variety added to this week’s list is the very first find on a 2005-S proof coin.  Stories on the Proof quarter can be found in the September 18, 2006 issue of Coin World and in the September 26 issue of Numismatic News.

See The Rest Of The Story

See The Minnesota Doubled Die Listings

For More Stories Visit Our Article Index At:
The Educational Image Gallery

    Collectors more often than not refer to a major die break under the slang term "Cud."   The term has it roots in the early error-variety hobby when the use of nicknames was more prevalent than today. This is one of the few slang terms that has stuck.  No matter what you want to call it, a Major Die Break or "Cud" always involves a breakage of the die that includes a portion of its shank and field and or design areas.  

See the rest of the story

For More Stories Visit Our Article Index At:
The Educational Image Gallery

Matte Unc 2005-P Bison Five-Cents
Doubled Die Obverse Found!

     Collectors who believed that the Mint stopped making doubled dies in the late 1990s are in for an eye-opener!  Long-time collector, Lonnie Helton of Ohio found a new doubled die obverse variety when he opened his 2005 Westward Journey Nickel Series Coin Sets on the day they arrived!  He ordered three sets in the last week of September and received them on October 11th; all contained the doubled die on the Philadelphia issue Bison coin.  This is an error type that the Philadelphia Mint has repeatedly denied can be made with the current single-squeeze hubbing presses in use there since the late 1990s.  

See the rest of the story here

For More Stories Visit Our Article Index At:
The Educational Image Gallery

Bahamas 1975-1973 Dual Dated 5-Cent Variety Discovered
Obv: 1975 / Rev: "Phantom 1973"

     Perhaps one of the more enigmatic modern coins to come down the pike in recent years is the dual-dated 1975-1973 Bahamas five-cent piece sent in by error-variety specialist Joe Rizdy of Chicago. It's a coin that hints at the possibility that it may have just opened up the door for many more varieties of its kind be discovered!  It’s a coin that comes from a series that along with its other fractional cousins has been largely ignored over the years. That's about to change! There is finally something to look for!

See the rest of the story

For More Stories Visit Our Article Index At:
The Educational Image Gallery

Is My 1958 Cent ...
"The" Doubled Die?

     Without question, one of the more frequent questions we field in reference to doubled dies revolves around the 1958 Lincoln Cent.   There is one key reasons for this -- it is an extremely valuable coin.  In fact, we think it could exceed $100,000 the next time one of the two examples known goes up for sale! 

See the rest of the story

For More Stories Visit Our Article Index At:
The Educational Image Gallery

2005-S Kansas Silver Proof Quarter
w/Hoof-Shaped Die Dent

     Some time ago I sent images of a 2005-S Kansas Silver Proof quarter with a hoof-shaped die dent to specialist to review.  Although this dent is many times larger than others previewed as of late, some of those specialist began to draw comparisons of it to these other die dents suggestive that it was about the same in size.  However, this was not accurate!

See the rest of the story

For More Stories Visit Our Article Index At:
The Educational Image Gallery

1970-S Small Date & Large Date
Lincoln Cent Comparisons

     The scarce 1970-S Small Date Variety shown above is characterized by a more delicate date (as compared to the Large Date variety) and will exhibit a "7" that is relatively level with the rest of the date. The word LIBERTY is weak and indistinct (particularly on the E and TY) on all specimens of this variety including proofs. Caution: The LIBERTY may also be weak on a Large Date so this is a poor indicator of the type but a strong LIBERTY does indicate that it is NOT the scarce Small Date variety.

See the rest of the story

For More Stories Visit Our Article Index At:
The Educational Image Gallery

     I've been following the posts on Rec.collecting.coins on the new 2004-D Wisconsin die damage error or variety quarters (call them what you want, error or variety makes little difference), and I agree with Tom DeLorey's earlier comments 100% (his comments are copied at the end of this post). I received a set a couple of days ago from Bill Fivaz for examination and they confirmed my worst fears.  

See the rest of the story

For More Stories Visit Our Article Index At:
The Educational Image Gallery

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