Finding Fun FUN NewP & Brief Show Report in the Wild: A Cherry Picker’s Guide

Forget dealer markups and auction anxiety—some of our greatest numismatic treasures hide in plain sight. Let’s rediscover that childlike thrill of sifting through everyday pocket change and dusty estate sale finds. Just last week at the Midwestern Numismatic Expo, collectors buzzed about a 1945-S Mercury dime pulled from a coffee can full of wheat pennies. That’s the magic we live for in this hobby—and today, I’ll share exactly how to spot the elusive Variation #9 Winged Liberty Head dimes in the wild.

The Thrill of the Hunt

There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of spotting a rare variety in a roll of crusty coins. While shows dazzle with display cases, true collectors know the real stories unfold at flea markets, bank counters, and estate sales. Remember Jim Benson’s famous 1936-D “Double Die Obverse” find? Pulled from a $100 bag of silver Roosevelt dimes at his local credit union. These aren’t flukes—they’re rewards for trained eyes and relentless curiosity.

Mercury dimes offer particularly fertile hunting grounds. Their 30-year run (1916-1945) produced countless die variations while their silver content ensured survival. Focus your searches on:

• Estate sales of pre-1960 homes (check those blue Ball jars!)
• Bank-wrapped rolls from agricultural regions (old farming money)
• Coin shop “junk bins” priced by weight
• Online bulk lots with blurry photos (most bidders skip these)

Identifying Key Markers

Variation #9 isn’t some mythical unicorn—it’s a tangible prize waiting for sharp-eyed hunters. Weinman’s winged beauty reveals its secrets through five telltale features:

• Date clarity: Seek digits with “crisp shoulders” – weak strikes ruin numismatic value
• Mint mark anatomy: Denver’s “D” should show tapered serifs, not blunt stamps
• Liberty’s eye: A fully rendered pupil indicates prime strike quality
• Reverse fasces: Horizontal bands require complete separation
• Field texture: Original luster shows cartwheel effect even in EF grades

Last month, a collector discovered a 1941-S with spectacular ocean-blue patina in a dealer’s “cull” box. Though graded AU55, its eye appeal rivals mint-state specimens—proof that surface preservation trumps technical grades for many collectors.

Circulation Finds and Bulk Lot Strategies

Your grandpa’s “sort through pennies at the kitchen table” approach won’t cut it today. Modern cherry-picking demands military precision:

1. Pre-sort by decade using date ranges (1916-1929; 1930-1945)
2. First-pass scan for obvious mint marks (ignore Philly coins initially)
3. Second inspection under 10x magnification for repunched dates
4. Final checklist:
   • Full feather details on Liberty’s cap wing
   • Unbroken olive leaves below fasces
   • Absence of vertical die polish lines

Pro tip: Estate sale mercury dimes often come with provenance goldmines. That coffee tin from a Denver Mint worker’s estate? Worth its weight in silver for backstory alone.

Red Flags and Authentication Tips

As Variety #9 premiums rise ($475 for VF-20 vs $15 for common dates), fakes proliferate. Spot trouble with these signs:

• “Too perfect” surfaces – genuine circulation finds show organic patina
• Mismatched toning between devices and fields
• Flat luster indicating chemical cleaning
• Edge reeding inconsistencies (count those grooves!)

When in doubt, the “PVC test” saves collections: Suspect coins get quarantined in airtight holders until PCGS/NGC inspection. Remember: Authentication fees sting less than realizing you’ve hoarded counterfeits.

Value Guide and Market Considerations

Forget Blue Book numbers—real-world Variety #9 valuations depend on three factors:

“Silver spikes attract new collectors, but variety specialists profit.” – Anna Reyes, Heritage Auctions

Current markets favor problem-free coins with original surfaces. That XF-45 with electric blue toning? It just hammered for $1,150—37% above catalog value.

Building Your Hunting Toolkit

Serious cherry-pickers invest in three game-changers:

• Illuminated 20x loupe: My optometrist modified mine with crosshairs
• USB microscope: $85 models now rival professional setups
• Digital library: CONECA variety archives fit on your phone

But the ultimate secret weapon? Befriend retirement-age bank tellers. They’ll call when customers dump “old-looking coins.”

Maximizing Your Success Rate

Five field-tested tactics from top hunters:

1. Hit banks before holidays (grandmas cash out silver for gifts)
2. Search rolls in reverse chronological order (post-1940 first)
3. Carry a 1944-P “Type Coin” for instant comparisons
4. Learn die marriages, not just dates
5. Photograph every find beside that day’s newspaper

Remember the collector who scored a 1921-D in a Maine general store’s till? He’d checked 714,000 dimes over 22 years. Persistence pays.

Conclusion

Mercury dimes embody our hobby’s soul—accessible yet endlessly complex. Whether you’re chasing Condition Rarities like superbly struck 1942/1 overdates or Variety Stars like our featured #9, every hunt connects you to Weinman’s artistry and mint workers’ craftsmanship.

The next great find won’t come from some dealer’s markdown bin. It’s waiting in a gas station’s hand-rolled dime rolls, or taped inside a library donation book, or clinking through a laundromat’s coin counter. That’s the beauty of our pursuit—history hides everywhere.

So grab your loupe and astrong coffee. Check those coin star reject trays. Inspect every winged head that crosses your path. And when you finally spot that telltale doubling on Liberty’s cap brim? You’ll understand why we say collecting’s not a hobby—it’s a way of seeing the world.

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