Spring Show Preperation List - Newly Bloomed Cherry Blossoms Lead Way to New Pickers

The spring/summer seasons are quickly upon us.  While not a major factor in the hobby of numismatics, it is a perfect time to really go out into the show circuit and try your hand at some aggressive cherrypicking.  As of this writing, the early spring Baltimore show just wrapped up.  Many dealers reported brisk sales and a lofty attendance rate at this year's show.  One thing's for certain, the cherrypicking masses were out in full force.  Their ultimate goal?...to search through brand new inventory of coins and currency in the hopes of finding a great money maker.  If you're in the hobby to collect, then it's hard to attend a show of this caliber with the mindset that it's work time, not fun hobby time.  There are scores of collectors young and old that attend these shows to take part in what would be the next "big story" in the hobby.

*Build Trust- Cherrypicking can be somewhat frowned upon, especially if you look through dozens of boxes without making a purchase.  What is even a more detrimental to the customer/dealer rapport building process, is using plain old ignorance.  What I tell most "first timers" to the show circuit, "Really get to know who you're dealing with, most of these guys have ties to some of the most powerful people in the hobby.  One day this dealer can be your biggest advocate, so don't ignore them.  Engage them with a good spirited, hello!"  These guys are ready and willing to make a sale to recoup the loss of money it takes to buy the space at the show.  In many cases, thousands of dollars are the norm.  Dealers at these big events vary in their respective specialties.  So going into a show, focus your interest with the dealer that sells those coins.  Not only will it be a tremendous time saver, but you'll show respect to the dealer by working with his wares that also interest you.  Makes for a great ice breaker!

*Research- Please, no carrying of books to the shows!  No self respecting dealer appreciates a cherrypicker who is simply out to pick through his/her stock without making a purchase. And the book reference is all they need to know about your intent.  Do your research in advance, feel free to jot down a selection or range of dates from your favorite series to work off of.  The dealer will think you have a grocery list of coins you're looking to get, rather than something that might insult mister nice guy.  And oh, please do carry your smart phone with you, with favorite sites that are bookmarked for quick reference.

*Magnifier- Carry a good one at all times.  A 10x power Hastings Triplet glass has everything a cherrypicker needs to identify most varieties in all series.  Mint mark variety experts should carry a 20x or 30x to be able to make out an RPM or Over Mint Mark varieties.  And best of all, make sure it stays clean.  There's nothing worse than having an oily magnifier.  It's just that much more tougher to distinguish certain elements of a coin.

And most important of all, Focus on the Excitement of attending your first show.  It might be overwhelming at first, but it will good practice to get your cherrypicking juices flowing.  Bust your cherry!!

Keep on Hunting!

Hunting for the Perfect Full Split Banded Mercury Dime

The Mercury dime collection is probably the most recognizable, if not the quintessential coin among all numismatists.  What it offers is affordability, knockout design, and the distinct ability of being the consistent seller in the marketplace.  Speaking of design aesthetics, the Mercury dime isn't really the famed Mercury, the Roman god of Abundance.  It was designed to be Lady Liberty, with winged tiara that signifies free thought.  The reverse, simply an axe head mounted on a bundle of sticks called a fasces along with sprigs of olive.  For the Mercury Dime collectors, it's these very fasces that carry tremendous weight in the overall value, especially in the mint state ranges.  "Full Split Bands" is a trait that is seen on the tied strings that hold the fasces together, if the strike is strong, you will see the separation line (see reference photo) that it takes to own the term.

Shown are the middle set of strings on the
fasces.  While there are three sets of strings,
the middle set will determine if you have
a valuable example, or just a regular MS
graded dime.
Photo courtesy of PCGS

Full split banded Mercury dimes exist in all dates.  However, there are few select dates that merit extra scrutiny when you go to cherrypick for the variety.  One in particular, the 1945-P is extremely difficult to find with clean full split bands.  They are either very flat, or they are oh so close to having splits, only to have connected interruption.  Seeing as this was the final year of the design, the mint employees were very lazy in re-engraving these dies.  Conservatively graded PCGS 64 FB examples have sold in the $5k-$5.5k range and they go up into the five figures if you're able to hit one in 65 or higher.  Another valuable date is the 1919-S, these too fetch five figure paydays in anything higher than 65.  So the next time you're out at the dealer or show, take some time to search through all the Mercury dimes.  Because there is bound to be that special coin that can make your year.  

Good luck hunting!

Hunting for the Perfect Silver Bullion Bars

Contrary to popular belief, there are actually some silver bullion bars and rounds that are worth more than their weight as the old saying goes.  For example, I have accounted on numerous occasions the times that I have searched through a scrap/generic bullion box at my local brick & mortar, only to cherrypick a couple key pieces that I know for sure are worth so much more on the secondary market.  But wait a minute, aren't all bullion bars worth what the melt value is for that point in time?  Not really, there's actually an elite grouping of collectible bars that exist in the marketplace.  Being able to discern those pieces out of the bunch will not only net "flip sellers" the opportunity to make some extra money, but will enable the true collectors of these "one off" bars to fill an empty hole in their collection.  Here are three of the top brand labeled bars to keep an eye out on.

*Royal Canadian Mint Bars- They're built no differently than any other .999 bar in the market today, so what makes the RCM bar such a great bar to resell in the market?  First and foremost, the aforementioned bar has been discontinued for production since 1988.  This is significant because most pieces have been bought  and melted during the ramp up of silver prices back in 2008.  There are less available in the market and they are truly rare because the RCM has been the only mint at the time to produce their own generic branded bars.  With a sample spot price of $28, these would command over double of what the melt value is.  Definitely one to keep and eye out on.

*Johnson Matthey Bars- So what's the deal, these are still produced  at a regular rate, so the JM bars shouldn't be on the list?  Or should it?  Well, there's a reasonable explanation to the number two listing of uncommon bars, and it has nothing to do with the generic one ounce flavors.  As you can see from the photo reference, the odd ball sized bars are what drives that healthy secondary market.  So anything in the single gram, 1/4 oz., 1/2, 2 oz., 5 , 10 and 20 ounce bars apply to the cherrypicks of the bunch.  Collectible for the variety of sizes along with the scant numbers due to millennium melting has placed these bars high on the "profit" pole.  In conclusion, with attractive designs and great quality finishing, JM bars have a multitude of attributes that make it a great bar to find and sell.

*Coca Cola Art Bars- What more can be said about any collectible with the storied Coke brand?  Anything with the Coke branding is a gauntlet in the collectibles marketplace, so it's only natural that a silver bar designed by Coke would be a no-brainer choice to search for.  These have phenomenal profit margin potential as I've seen the common one ounce bars sell in excess of $100 or more.  While the JM and RCM bars are an easier cherrypick, the Coke bars won't be much so.  They're a target of dealers when they come in from a sale and are easily recognizable as a profit vehicle.  With that said, just be mindful of what the Coke bars are in the collectibles community.  They are a runaway hit every single time and they don't lose value in relation to a bearish metals market.  Die hard Coke collectors will overpay every single time and feel good about it.

*Honorable Mention-  Engelhard Prospector Rounds, Late 90's Britannia's, 1996 American Silver Eagles, Un-carded Credit/Pamp Suisse bars

Good luck hunting!

Most Overlooked: 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Cents

Here's my most recent cherrypick, it's a Proof set plucked 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Memorial cent.  I was fortunate enough to buy this complete proof set for only $7 as part of a blowout sale.  This coin consistently sells in the open market for about $50-$70 as a raw example.  Generally it wouldn't make any sense to grade something like this, unless you were sure it was a perfect coin that has the chance of grading 69 or 70.  This example had the typical unattractive "white haze" that is the norm for these earlier proof sets.

Under close magnification, you'll want to make sure your example has the high "7" that is flush with the top of the "0" in the date.  And of course look out for the weakly struck "Liberty".  Good luck hunting!

Cherrypick Challenge: Can you find a Full Steps 1960's Jefferson Nickel?

Quick history on Full Steps Jefferson Nickels

The Jefferson Nickel series is one of the most widely collected modern series to date.  I would be safe to say it rivals the Lincoln cent series, but no where near the volume of mainstream collectors.  There is however, a tight knit group of variety experts in this series called the "Full Steppers".  Jefferson enthusiasts whose primary objective is to seek out the most pristine 1938-current nickels with the highly acclaimed "Full Steps" designation, are some of the most dedicated bunch in numismatics.  To date, the 1980's-2010's ranges of Jefferson nickels are the easiest to find with full and robust 6 steps on the reverse Monticello image.  So finding them isn't hard at all, what does pose a challenge is finding a full stepped modern strike in anything higher than a 68 grade, damn near perfection!  Make sure those examples are "ding" free with clear fields and sharp contrast devices.

One especially challenging decade of full step Jeffersons is the 1960's.  A quick look at the PCGS or NGC populations will illustrate just how difficult it is to find truly sharp struck full step nickels.  It was just a weak decade for die maintenance at the mint, which attributes to the tough task of locating even a 5 step variety.  So here's my challenge to all you cherrypickers out there, locate an amazing 1960's full stepper.  Sharply struck examples fetch over five figures for a graded example!

As you treasure hunt the full steps...

Check out online auctions, buy full boxes of nickels at the bank, and cherrypick out of dealer stock, those will be your best bets in locating one.  Arm yourself with a magnifier with at least 10x power, 20x is best.  And try to stay away from full steppers with any nicks or dents that break up the stair lines, these won't grade with the "FS" designation.   

Keep in mind, to most coin collectors and even everyday people, the Jefferson nickel can be a boring series for them.  The upside is that there are tons of nickels to pick through, this would be a great time to start cherrypicking for those rare full step dates.  Are you up to the challenge?

Good luck hunting!

How Can Blue Ridge Help You Sell Your Collection?

Hey guys, my name is Shaun, some of you know me as Blue Ridge Silver Hound on Youtube.  It's been a real pleasure meeting the demands of all of the new and veteran collectors out there.  And education in such a competitive marketplace, is one of the key components to successful buying, selling, and collecting.  Not only do I provide some key information regarding the latest market trends in numismatics, but I am also an active appraiser and broker to a lot of small, medium and large collections.

Here's what I can do for you today:  If you have a collection that you have amassed over the years, or have inherited a collection from a loved one.  I can help you inventory, quote the total or single value of your collection, and can help sell your coins and currency.  My time and yours are completely valuable, which allows me to provide a first rate consultation service that is not only quick but accurate as well.  The initial discussion of what you have and would like to ultimately achieve costs nothing.

Cataloging/Appraisal Service:  Whether you need a thorough inventory or appraisal of your collection, enthusiasts will find that I charge some of the lowest rates around.  My inventory cataloging method is an excel spreadsheet format.  I charge $35 for every 100 coins cataloged and appraised with the most up to date market values, no "book values" are used but actual values stemming from real world prices. We can work out a bulk deal for larger lots, I'm extremely flexible and this is definitely something we can chat about in the initial consultation.

Selling?:  If you need help selling your collection, I will recommend the best avenues to ensure the quickest and most profitable transactions.  I use a montage of methods to liquidate your collection, including local dealer/broker networks, eBay, and Heritage Auctions are among some of the outlets I use to sell your collection.  In addition to selling your collection, I also aide you in any tax implications that may arise as a result of your sales.  To emphasize, my fees are the lowest around.  I charge 10% of the total sales value and any auction fees involved will be paid for by the seller of the collection.

Any questions?:  I'm always available for for the initial consultation, please feel free to email me at  blueridgesilverhound@gmail.com

Please have the utmost confidence in my service, I have over 5 years in the business as a professional appraiser of bullion and numismatics.  I am a member of the American Numismatic Assoc. and the Royal Canadian Numismatic Assoc.  I possess over 15 years in numismatics and will know a lot about what the hobby has to offer both sellers and buyers.  My primary expertise covers U.S. Type/Colonial Coins, Canadian, and Post-Civil War Currency.

Tools for Cherrypicking Success!

Cherrypicking isn't just about going out and looking at coins, but it's about knowing which coins will turn you a positive upside, whether for resale or trade.  Let me tell you a quick story about a recent discovery.  One of my forum mates recently cherrypicked a sterling P,D,S set of 1942 Mercury Dimes on eBay.  Not knowing what to expect (because there is this famous overdate for the year), the dimes were in tremendous shape based off the decent photos.  With the long shot of actually picking a fine overdate specimen, this member purchased the 3-coin set.  Upon receipt several days later, the forum member actually found the mother of all overdates, he picked the 1942/41 D black mamba!  After sharing his discovery, he turned in the prized possession to NGC where it grade high in the census at a whopping 65+ with full split bands!  Today, this beauty will command in the neighborhood of $20k-$25k, not bad for turning $30 into a five figure payday!

So what did we get out of this?  First of all, this individual had first hand knowledge of the Mercury Dime series.  He has become a professional at the series, knowing much about the history of the date range and the key dates.  One of the most important tools to success, was his education.  He has spent countless hours reading on Mercury Dimes and has practiced the grading standards that accompany it.  Additionally, he used countless internet sources to find the potential coins he's looking for to fulfill a need.  It's with these few resources, or tools, that he was able to cherrypick such an amazing coin, with very few dollars to contribute in the end.

So with this story in mind and the resources used to his success, let's talk about a few resources that will come in handy when you consider the hobby of cherry picking.

*Books- Books are important for several reasons.  They are quick references when it comes to identifying coins and their respective varieties.  The most elementary resource is Whitman Publishing's "The Red Book to U.S. Coins".  While the prices highlighted left a lot to be desired, the Red Book is your basic tool to gain a full understanding of each U.S. series at a glance.  It's the best beginner's book for the numismatist.  Another great reference is the "Cherrypicker's Guide to Rare Die Varieties".  This is where you will begin your search for them rare and valuable finds.  Don't just read about these varieties, but get to know them by your favorite series.  Once you recognize what the marquee varieties are, you will be able to cherrypick them from dealer cases and eBay auctions without the need of the book in front of you.

*Spy Glass-Some varieties are so tough to identify by the naked eye, this makes a great magnifier an important tool to have.  If you're able to find a good quality glass like a Hasting's Triplet 10x, it's going to be the most important tool for your show circuit visits.  There are 20x and 30x magnifiers in the marketplace as well and are great for finding re-punched mintmarks and over mintmarks, be sure to find one with a good LED light as you have to get in real close to the coin.

*Smart phone- While not a huge necessity, a great smart phone has a lot of advantages.  There are a multitude of websites dedicated to series specific cherrypicking, a smart phone will allow you to access these sites on the fly so you can compare diagnostics with the site photo references.  You can bookmark these sites and even blow up reference photos with a quick sweep of your fingers to help you examine the finer details.  I would highly consider a smart phone if it's in the budget, I have had several cherrypicks that required a photo reference online.  It was a make or break deal!

Now go out there and keep hunting!  Best of luck!