How I Found a 1937 Washington Quarter DDO (FS-101) at a Coin Show — and What I Learned After 6 Months of Grading, Doubling, and Cherrypicking

I’ve spent months chasing this one. Here’s what actually happened—and what I wish I’d known on day one.

The Hunt for the Unseen: How I Found a 1937 Washington Quarter DDO (FS-101)

It started with a lazy Sunday at a local coin show. You know the kind: folding tables, cash-only dealers, and a whole lot of people flipping through rolls of common silver. I wasn’t hunting for treasure that day. Just browsing. Killing time.

Second pass through the room, I spotted it—a 1937 Washington quarter buried in a $2 bin. Priced for melt value. No one had even flipped it over.

I pulled out my loupe. One quick scan. And then I froze.

There it was—clear, bold doubling on “IN GOD WE TRUST”. Not a doubled image from a worn die. Not machine doubling. This was a true DDO (Doubled Die Obverse), and I knew exactly what I was looking at: the FS-101, one of the most iconic die varieties from the 1930s.

And it was raw. Ungraded. Unattributed. Waiting.

“It’s not just about finding the coin—it’s about seeing what others choose to ignore.”

Why This Coin Was Overlooked

Most folks at the show were after silver weight. Spot prices were up, and everyone wanted heavy bags of ’40s and ’50s quarters. A 1937? Just another date in the stack. No one checked the obverse. No one used a loupe. No one knew to look for die doubling.

And that’s where I got lucky.

Over the years, I’ve realized this: the real barrier to finding rare coins isn’t rarity—it’s routine. Most people see dates and mint marks. They don’t see die markers. They don’t know that a coin in a $2 bin could be worth ten times that once it’s slabbed.

The Moment of Truth: Was It Real?

I didn’t jump the gun. I sat there, heart pounding, and checked everything.

With my 10x loupe, I inspected the doubling—especially the “I” and “T” in “IN” and the “G” and “O” in “GOD”—comparing them to reference images. The spread? Perfect. The rotation? Classic for FS-101. The secondary image was crisp, not smeared or scratched.

I even checked the die markers: clash marks near the rim, the telltale “notch” in the lower left of the “W” in “WASHINGTON.” All matched.

I slipped the coin into a 2×2 flip, paid in cash, and walked out before anyone noticed.

No fanfare. No bidding war. Just a quiet moment of “I see you.”

The 6-Month Journey: From Cherrypick to PCGS Submission

Finding it was the easy part. The real work? Just starting.

Step 1: Research and Documentation

First week back? I buried myself in research.

I pulled up the PCGS Variety Database and CONECA listings. Made a checklist. Treated it like a detective case:

• Is this doubling from die hubbing or post-mint damage?
• Does the rotated spread on “IN GOD WE TRUST” match FS-101 standards?
• Are the die clashes and cracks consistent with known examples?
• How does it compare to population reports from PCGS and NGC?

I didn’t have to pay for access. I used free resources: the PCGS Varieties page and VarietyVista to verify every detail.

Step 2: The Decision to Submit

After I was sure it was real, I had a choice:

• Option A: Flip it raw to a dealer for $150–$200 and call it a win
• Option B: Submit it to PCGS with Gold Shield and TrueView imaging

I chose B. And not just because of the money.

Here’s why:

• PCGS attribution adds 30–50% to the value of raw variety coins
• TrueView photos give the coin a permanent digital identity
• Gold Shield protects against body bagging or misattribution
• This could be a centerpiece in a future collection—or a high-end auction

I bundled it with other potential finds: an 1845 Seated Dime with a repunched date, a 1956 “Double Bar 5,” a 1960 Type B reverse. Grouping submissions saves money—and time.

Step 3: The Wait — and the Stress

Grading took five months. Not because PCGS was slow. Because I went all-in: Gold Shield + TrueView + CAC review.

While I waited, I:

• Tracked every update on PCGS’s portal like a stalker
• Fought the urge to sell early (the raw market was buzzing)
• Built a personal archive: original photos, loupe notes, the receipt from the show

One thing I learned: grading isn’t a sprint. It’s a strategy. And patience is part of the game.

Real Results: The Grading Reveal

The day the grades posted, I refreshed PCGS’s site three times before the update loaded.

1937 Washington Quarter DDO (FS-101): PCGS AU55, Gold Shield, TrueView

Not MS63. Not MS65. But AU55? That’s solid.

Why?

• AU55 means barely any wear—perfect for a raw coin pulled from a junk bin
• PCGS confirmed the FS-101 with the variety on the label
• TrueView images show the doubling in high-res detail—perfect for future sales
• Market value jumped to $1,200–$1,600 (vs. $150 raw)

“An 8x return in 6 months—without touching a single bullion coin.”

What the Grading Taught Me

The coin had light rub in the fields—just enough to make me nervous. But the strike? Strong. The doubling? Clear. The surfaces? Original and problem-free.

PCGS didn’t hesitate. They didn’t question it. They recognized it.

And that’s the difference: a raw coin with a story becomes a slabbed coin with credibility, value, and liquidity.

Lessons Learned After 6 Months of Cherrypicking, Submitting, and Waiting

1. Go Back Through Old Coins — Even Your Own

After this find, I went through every coin in my collection with a loupe. Not just new ones. All of them.

And I found:

• A mint-state 1944 D/S Philippines 20 Centavos (die clash, different mint)
• A 1933 M 1 Centavo with repunched date and prooflike fields
• A 1956 “Double Bar 5” I’d bought as a “common date”

None were world-shattering. But all were undervalued. All had been hiding in plain sight.

Action tip: Every year, re-check your collection using a loupe and a list of known varieties.

2. Never Assume Dealers See What You See

One dealer told me flat-out: “We’re too busy moving metal to look for doubling.”

That’s your edge.

Now, at shows, I:

• Bring a 10x loupe and a list of 10 target varieties (like 1960 Type B, 1955 DDO Lincoln)
• Make a second pass—dealers often re-sort bins between days
• Look for “dull” coins—they’re often the ones with undiscovered die issues

3. Submission Strategy Matters

Here’s what I use now for PCGS submissions:

[
  {
    "service": "Gold Shield",
    "attributes": ["Variety", "TrueView"],
    "cost": "$58/coin",
    "turnaround": "8–12 weeks",
    "best_for": "raw varieties, high-value coins"
  },
  {
    "service": "Express",
    "attributes": ["Variety"],
    "cost": "$42/coin",
    "turnaround": "4–6 weeks",
    "best_for": "common varieties, low-risk"
  }
]

For the 1937 DDO? Gold Shield was worth every penny. The TrueView alone adds $100–$200 at resale.

4. Build a Personal Archive

I keep a Google Sheet now. Simple, but powerful. I track:

• Coin type, date, variety
• Where I got it, when, and for how much
• Submission date, service, tracking number
• Grading result, TrueView link, final value

This archive is my compass. It helps me avoid duplicates, spot trends, and know exactly when to sell.

Long-Term Perspective: Why This Isn’t Just About One Coin

Six months ago, I thought variety collecting was a side hobby. Now I see it as a sustainable path to building value—especially when bullion markets are volatile.

• Die varieties appreciate on their own, independent of silver or gold prices
• PCGS-attributed coins sell faster, even in bear markets
• TrueView makes online auctions easier—buyers trust what they see
• Every cherrypick funds the next one: profits become new hunting capital

I’m not chasing spot prices anymore. I’m hunting for hidden value—right under everyone’s nose.

Conclusion: The Cherrypick Mindset

My 1937 Washington Quarter DDO (FS-101) wasn’t luck. It was the result of:

• Preparation: Knowing what to look for—before I even walked into the show
• Patience: Waiting for the right coin, then the right grade
• Strategy: Submitting smart, tracking every step, staying curious

The real takeaway? Rare coins are still out there—but only for those who look twice. Whether it’s a coin show, a junk silver bin, or your last box of old coins, the next big find might already be in your hands.

Grab your loupe. Make a second pass. And don’t assume it’s just another common date.

Because sometimes, the best find of the year isn’t the one you buy—it’s the one you finally see.

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