Finding My Quest to Cherrypick a Nice 1929-S DDO Dime in the Wild: A Cherry Picker’s Guide

Introduction: The Thrill of the Hunt

You don’t always need a dealer to find this. Here is what to look for when searching through circulation or bulk lots.

There’s something uniquely satisfying about finding numismatic treasures hiding in plain sight. While many collectors focus on purchasing certified coins from reputable dealers, the true adventure lies in the hunt through rolls, bulk lots, and estate sales where varieties and errors await discovery by the trained eye. This is the story of my quest to cherrypick a nice 1929-S DDO (Doubled Die Obverse) Mercury dime, a journey that took me from humble circulation finds to uncovering one of the finest known examples of this elusive variety.

Historical Significance of the 1929-S Mercury Dime

The Mercury dime series, minted from 1916 to 1943, represents one of the most beloved coin designs in American numismatics. The 1929-S issue from the San Francisco Mint had a mintage of just 4,730,000 pieces, making it a relatively scarce date in the series. When you add the Doubled Die Obverse variety to the mix, you have a coin that combines historical significance with numismatic rarity.

The doubled die varieties in the Mercury dime series occurred when the hub and die transfer process created a slight misalignment, resulting in visible doubling on the coin’s design elements. For the 1929-S DDO, the doubling is most visible on the date and motto, creating a distinctive appearance that sets these coins apart from their normal counterparts.

Identifying Key Markers: What to Look For

When searching for the 1929-S DDO, there are several key markers to examine:

• Date Doubling: The most prominent feature is the doubling visible in the date “1929.” Look for a distinct separation between the primary and secondary images, particularly in the numerals.
• Motto Examination: Check “LIBERTY” for any signs of doubling, especially in the serifs and vertical lines of the letters.
• IN GOD WE TRUST: The motto on the obverse may also show subtle doubling, though this is often less pronounced than the date doubling.
• San Francisco Mint Mark: While the mint mark itself won’t show doubling (as it was hand-punched), its presence confirms you’re examining a 1929-S specimen.

The best way to train your eye is to study known examples of the 1929-S DDO and compare them side-by-side with normal 1929-S dimes. The difference becomes quite apparent with practice.

My Cherrypicking Journey: From VF35 to MS65FB

When I first started getting into Mercury dime varieties several years back, I made a short list of some of the better doubled dies for the series (five or six of the minor ones) and set out to see if I could cherrypick them. One of the very first coins I picked was a 1929-S DDO that graded out at VF35.

It was probably silly to get it graded, but I was excited to have found it, and even now I’m quite fond of that coin for what it represents as one of my earliest cherrypicks.

However, as my collection evolved, I was moving from VF and XF grades towards more AU and MS grades, and I decided I’d like to have an AU specimen of the 1929-S DDO. Over the years, a couple already graded AU examples popped up for sale, but they suffered from the double whammy of being priced above guide value while also having what I felt was negative eye appeal. So I kept looking.

The eBay Discovery

Then, late last year, I spotted an unattributed one on eBay in an MS64 ANACS holder. It’s funny to think that I hesitated a moment before hitting the buy-it-now button because I’d been so focused on finding an AU coin, I hadn’t really considered the possibility of stumbling upon an uncirculated one.

The Restoration Process

As soon as I got it in hand, I knew I liked the coin. It was without a doubt a solid, no-issues 64. There were, however, some tiny flecks of black stuff that I was 95% sure were just loosely adhered to the surfaces. I’m not much of one for crack outs, but I wanted to get that black stuff off before I sent it in to be attributed. Also, even though ANACS hadn’t given the coin full bands, I liked it as FB and wanted the next batch of graders to see it with fresh eyes.

So I cracked the slab and gave it an acetone bath. Apparently there had been a film of gunk on the coin I didn’t even realize was there. Not only did the black stuff come off, the whole coin came out looking far more brilliant and pristine than it had before. I may have even said, “Wow!” out loud.

Grading and Population Reports

After the careful restoration, I sent the coin to CACG for attribution and grading. When the grades popped, I was thrilled to see it not only got the FB (Full Bands) I wanted, it also got upgraded to 65!

As far as Mercury varieties go, this one is on the scarcer side. In MS56FB, the populations are as follows:

• PCGS: 3/3
• NGC: 0/0
• CACG: 1/1

So that’s the story of how I went from the lowest graded 1929-S DDO to a consensus top 8 for the variety.

Tips for Aspiring Cherrypickers

Based on my experience, here are some valuable tips for those looking to find their own cherrypicked treasures:

1. Know Your Varieties

Before you can find something, you need to know what you’re looking for. Study variety guides, join online forums, and examine certified examples to train your eye. Create a hit list of specific varieties you want to find.

2. Check Every Coin

When going through rolls or bulk lots, examine every coin carefully. Don’t just skim through looking for dates and mint marks. Take your time and really look at the design elements.

3. Look Beyond the Obvious

Many varieties are unattributed in third-party holders. Don’t assume that because a coin is already slabbed, it’s been fully evaluated for all possible varieties and errors.

4. Trust Your Instincts

If something looks off or unusual about a coin, investigate further. Sometimes your gut feeling can lead you to something special.

5. Consider Restoration Carefully

While conservation can improve a coin’s appearance, it should be done carefully and only when necessary. In my case, removing surface contaminants significantly improved the coin’s eye appeal and likely contributed to the grade upgrade.

The Community Response

The numismatic community responded enthusiastically to my find:

“Way to go! Looks lovely, and I liked the details (and thought processes) you shared”

“A very well struck and eye-appealing coin!”

“Great pick up. Congrats on your achievement.”

Conclusion: The Reward of Persistence

The journey from finding a VF35 example to eventually securing an MS65FB specimen demonstrates the rewards of persistence and knowledge in numismatics. While luck certainly plays a role in cherrypicking, it’s the combination of preparation, patience, and passion that ultimately leads to success.

The 1929-S DDO Mercury dime remains a challenging variety to find, particularly in higher grades with Full Bands. For collectors willing to put in the time and effort to search through rolls, bulk lots, and estate sales, the possibility of discovering an unattributed specimen makes the hunt worthwhile.

Remember, every coin has a story, and sometimes the most satisfying stories are the ones we write ourselves through our own discoveries. Happy hunting!

Related Resources

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