The Hidden Truth About Cherrypicking Rare Coins That No One Is Talking About

Most people think finding rare coins is pure luck. I’m here to tell you: it’s not. After years of hunting through flea markets, basement auctions, and dusty dealer cases, I’ve learned there’s a *method* to the madness—one the pros rarely talk about. The hidden truth? Cherrypicking rare coins isn’t about chance. It’s about seeing what others *don’t*.

The fantasy of scoring a fortune for a few bucks is real. But the reality? It’s about patience, sharp eyes, and knowing where the blind spots are—especially with dealers and grading services. Let’s pull back the curtain.

The Art of Spotting Hidden Varieties

Here’s the thing: most collectors—even dealers—gloss over the small details. They’ll recognize the famous 1955 doubled die Lincoln, sure. But what about the subtle overdates, repunched mintmarks, or die varieties hiding in plain sight? That’s where the real value lies.

Why Dealers Miss Varieties

• Market Demand: If buyers aren’t chasing a variety, dealers won’t waste time learning it. Simple as that.

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• Limited Training: Many dealers know how to grade, but few are trained to spot micro-details like die clashes or repunched letters.

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• Profit Over Passion: With bullion and modern coins flying off shelves, older niche varieties get pushed to the back burner.

Insider Tip: How to Use This to Your Advantage

You don’t need a vault or a six-figure budget. You need a loupe, curiosity, and a few smart habits.

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• Study Key Reference Books: Grab a Redbook and the VAM Catalog. They’re your field guides to the underground world of varieties.

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• Use Online Resources: Sites like shieldnickels.net and PCGS’s Variety program are like treasure maps—loaded with photos, die states, and rarity data.

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• Talk to the Experts: Join niche forums and Facebook groups. I once learned about a rare Mercury dime overdate from a guy in Ohio who’d spent 40 years studying them. That kind of insight doesn’t come from books.

Grading Services and Their Blind Spots

PCGS and NGC are great at grading condition. But when it comes to *identifying* varieties? They’re often asleep at the wheel. And that’s your opening.

The Grading Gap

“The grading services don’t go looking for varieties when they grade a coin. They will go by what’s written on the label most of the time.” – seasoned collector

Even if you submit a coin with a rare repunched mintmark, they might miss it. Or worse—slap a “No Variety” label on it. Here’s how to fight back:

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• Do Your Research: Know the die varieties, mint marks, and error types *before* you submit. Document everything.

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• Submit Supporting Material: Include close-up photos, published references, and previous certifications. A well-labeled submission gets taken more seriously.

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• Call the Grading Service: For rare varieties, a quick call to PCGS or NGC can clarify their attribution process. Sometimes, a little nudge is all it takes.

Real-World Example: The 1951-S/S Lincoln Cent

A buddy of mine spotted a 1951-S/S Lincoln cent on a dealer’s site. The photo was fuzzy, but the repunched S mintmark jumped out to him. He bought it cheap, submitted it, and—boom—PCGS certified it as the only MS-67 example of that variety. That’s not luck. That’s spotting what the system missed.

Advanced Strategies for Finding Cherrypicks

Forget the obvious online auctions. The real finds come from places few collectors bother to look.

Exploring Local Coin Clubs

Coin clubs are like underground coin markets—full of passionate, but sometimes under-informed, collectors.

• Less Competition: Local auctions? Low turnout means lower prices. I once snagged a 1916-D Mercury dime for $30 because no one else knew it was there.

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• Insider Knowledge: Members swap leads on estate sales, private collections, and hidden dealers. One tip from a 70-year-old collector once led me to a hoard of 1943 copper cents.

Breaking Open Proof Sets and Mint Sets

Sounds sacrilegious, I know. But hear me out: some dealers crack open proof and mint sets and sell the coins loose. Why? Because they’re chasing quick cash, not long-term value. That’s where you step in.

• Raw Proof Coins: These coins are often untouched, unsearched, and full of potential. I’ve found proof-only varieties and mint errors in sets bought for face value.

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• Bulk Buying: Buy a full set, cherrypick the highlights, and flip the rest. Profit in, profit out—and sometimes a gem stays in your collection.

The ‘Gotchas’ of Cherrypicking

Cherrypicking isn’t a magic bullet. There are traps everywhere. Learn them early.

Photography and Grading Discrepancies

That coin looks flawless online? It might be dipped, cleaned, or lit like a studio set. Always:

• Inspect in Person: Nothing beats holding a coin. I passed on a “perfect” MS-65 last year—cleaned with a toothbrush. Saw it under natural light.
• Request Multiple Photos: Ask for shots in daylight, under a lamp, at an angle. If the dealer won’t provide them? Walk away.

Grading Inconsistencies

Grading is subjective. One service says MS-64, another says MS-66. I’ve seen it happen. Protect yourself:

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• Compare Grades: Check past auction results for the same variety. Is MS-63 typical? Then an MS-65 listing might be a stretch.

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• Resubmit for Higher Grades: If you think a coin is undergraded, send it to a second service. I’ve upgraded three coins that way—all profitable.

Understanding Market Value

Just because you paid $50 doesn’t mean it’s worth $50. Know what it’s *really* worth.

• Check Recent Sales: Use eBay, GreatCollections, and Stack’s Bowers to track actual sale prices—not just asking prices.

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• Consult Price Guides: The Redbook and Greysheet are starting points. But real market data? That’s your north star.

Case Study: The 1936 Buffalo Nickel DDO

This one still gives me chills. A collector I know spotted a 1936 Buffalo Nickel online—no variety listed, just “MS-64.” Price? $48. He bought it on a hunch. Under his loupe? A clear doubled die obverse. No attribution. He submitted it. Now it’s the only known MS-64 DDO. This is the dream—and it happens more than you think.

• Low Price: He took a small risk. Paid under market. No one else noticed.

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• Grading Potential: He knew the strike and luster suggested higher potential.

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• Variety Knowledge: He’d studied the die varieties. He *knew* what to look for.

Conclusion

Cherrypicking isn’t magic. It’s a craft. It’s about seeing the details others skip, knowing where the system fails, and building a network that shares your obsession.

• Invest in Education: The more you know about varieties, the more you’ll spot.
• Use the Right Tools: A 10x loupe isn’t optional. It’s your best friend.

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• Network: Talk to collectors. Swap tips. Share finds. The coin world is small—and generous—if you’re in the loop.

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• Inspect Thoroughly: Never trust a single photo. Demand more.
• Understand Grading Services: They’re not infallible. Use them—but don’t rely on them completely.

The next time you open a coin cabinet or scroll through a dealer’s site, remember: the rarest coins aren’t always the flashiest. They’re the ones hiding in plain sight, waiting for someone who knows what to look for. Start seeing what others miss. Your next find might be closer than you think.

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