What Is Cherry-Picking?
Cherry-picking is the art of finding valuable die varieties, errors, and key dates mixed in with common coins — in dealer junk boxes, bank rolls, inherited collections, and change. It's one of the most rewarding aspects of numismatics because knowledge is your edge.
Where to Cherry-Pick
- Dealer junk boxes at coin shows — The #1 source. Dealers price by date/grade and may miss varieties.
- Bank rolls — Order boxes of cents, nickels, or half dollars from banks. Search at home.
- Estate collections — Inherited collections often contain unrecognized varieties.
- Online raw coin lots — Buy lots of common coins and search for varieties.
Most Profitable Varieties to Hunt
- 1955 DDO Lincoln cent — Check all 1955 cents carefully. Worth $1,200+ if found.
- 1972 DDO Lincoln cent — More common than 1955 but still $500+ in MS.
- 1995 DDO Lincoln cent — $30+ in MS. Found regularly in rolls.
- 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo — Check all 1937-D Buffalos. $500+ if genuine.
- 1942/1 Mercury dime overdate — Check all 1942 Mercury dimes. $500+ in Good.
- 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf quarters — Found in circulation. $100–$300.
- War nickel silver content — Any 1942-P through 1945 nickel with large mint mark contains 35% silver.
Essential Cherry-Picking Tools
- 10x loupe — Always carry one to coin shows.
- Cherrypickers' Guide — The definitive reference for US coin varieties.
- Smartphone — Quick access to variety images and diagnostics.
Up Next
The final article: Reference Books & Online Resources for Variety Collectors.
This guide is for educational purposes. Where official standards, grading services, organization memberships, or legal requirements apply, consult the primary authority named in the references below or the relevant government agency.
Reviewed on March 9, 2026 by the US Coin Shows editorial team. Editorial policy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cherry-picking in coin collecting?
Finding valuable die varieties, errors, and key dates mixed in with common coins — in dealer junk boxes, bank rolls, and collections. Knowledge is your edge.
What coin varieties should I look for?
1955 and 1972 DDO Lincoln cents, 1995 DDO cent (common in rolls), 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo, 1942/1 Mercury dime overdate, and 2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf quarters.
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