Cherrypicked 1926 DDO Mercury Dime
Shurke
Posts: 463 ✭✭✭✭
Two years ago, I started building a set of Mercury dimes, an endeavor that is progressing a whole lot more slowly than I thought it would. And the pace of my collecting hasn't been helped any by the fact that somewhere along the way, I fell down the rabbit hole of varieties. In particular, I've been enjoying hunting down various doubled dies among the raw coins on eBay. And for a long time the coin at the top of my list was the 1926 DDO.
The variety was first reported in January of 2016, and the first straight graded example was certified by NGC almost a year later in February of 2017. I'm guessing most folks on this forum have at least a passing awareness this DDO, but just in case, here are the pertinent links:
About the discovery.
About the first straight graded piece.
NGC's been attributing this variety for six years now, and in that time frame they've only certified 3 straight graded examples--a VG 10, a F 15, and a VF 30. PCGS isn't going to attribute it until it's published in the next edition of the Cherrypickers Guide.
After combing through thousands of images of 1926 dimes on eBay over the course of a year and half, I finally found one that I thought maybe, just possibly, might be this DDO. The pics weren't great, they made the coin look washed out and likely cleaned. But I wanted this variety badly, so I ponied up the $24, and waited with baited breath. I think this is the only coin I've purchased that had me literally jumping to my feet when I finally got to examine it in hand. (My family looked at me like I was a lunatic).
Anyway, without further ado, here's the Trueview. Graded AU 53 by our hosts.
Hopefully these pics will be helpful to other variety collectors. I hadn't seen any high-res photos of a complete obverse for this DDO until PCGS posted these on my order.
A few notes: Despite the fact that the doubling on the R and the wing are easily seen with 5X magnification, this seems to be a challenging find. For some reason the doubling on the wing feathers doesn't appear to photograph well; it jumps right out at you when you look at it in person, but it looks somewhat faint in the Trueview--and it was entirely invisible in the seller's photos. Conversely, the split on the top fold of Liberty's cap is also very bold, but it seems to show better in photographs: the contours of the design typically have it in shadow where it's difficult to see when you're holding it in hand.
Comments
Nice story and coin.
The TrueView uses diffuse lighting, so doubling (and die cracks) are not in high contrast like they are with a point light source and the angles you can get in hand.
I did not know about the 1926 DDO, so I checked my stash just now, but didn't find any DDO examples.
I did find one with pretty good machine doubling on BE.
It has been on variety vista for a long time as well although they do not show a lot of photos like your first link.
http://varietyvista.com/06 Mercury Dime/DDOs 1926.htm
I know someone that has one. Congrats on your find.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
nice find
Cool story. And that had to take a long time to find!
Well played, sir!
Excellent cherry pick..... Not a variety I have looked for.... Only saw it referenced once or twice here on the forum.... Thanks for the pictures. Cheers, RickO
From your pictures it seems the designer's initials would be the easiest PUP, in addition to the R and T in LIBERTY. This is not a coin I have looked for, but with one less person scouring eBay for it, maybe I'll have to start.
Congrats on the excellent cherrypick and addition to your set.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
Great pick! Will you send it back later for attribution or leave it as-is?
thats a nice take
It sure does jump out at you! OUTSTANDING pick!! 👍🏻 👍🏻
I'll be right back. Gotta go double check mine again!! 😂 🤣
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
I imagine there are at least a few out there in the hands of collectors who are holding back on submitting until PCGS starts attributing them.
I agree, the initials do stand out. In my case, the sellers pics were too small to show anything in that area. Weirdly, what finally convinced me to take a chance on this one was the wonky shape of the Y. The lighting in the Trueview doesn’t really bring it out, but flatter lighting tends to emphasize how the right branch of the Y is roughly twice as wide as the left branch. And the the base of the Y is fairly off kilter as well.
It’s definitely going back for attribution once it’s eligible. I debated holding it back until the new Cherrypickers Guide comes out, but I was concerned the scuff traveling SW below the Y might get it a details grade, and I couldn’t muster the patience to wait and find out.
I noticed this in the NGC article ->1926 Doubled Die to appear in the next Cherrypickers’ Guide.
I wonder if there is a list of coming cpg varieties that NGC and PCGS has?
Well done and glad your persistence in searching paid off!
Very cool story! I too collect Mercury Dimes. Though I never thought about going for the varieties of the series. I need to finish the set in FB first!
Thank you for sharing your story!
The list has already been set for the new book but they won’t release the details until the book is published. Unfortunately, there are some being added that should not be in my opinion. The book is heavily influenced by what the authors own…my opinion of course. It should NOT work this way. It should only include the most significant varieties for the series and that is NOT what’s happening. I advised on this version of the book in 2015 and made my recommendations. I still have the emails. What makes it into the book is considered for the Complete Variety Registry Sets at PCGS. In my view, PCGS should select the most significant varieties from a complete online source like Variety Vista instead of the influenced examples that make it into the book every 11 years or whatever.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
Great Pick!
WS
Sugar magnolia blossoms blooming, heads all empty and I don't care ...
Congrats
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Nice! Made me go through the ones I have running loose. no luck...
Nice! and congrats! Merc's are one of my favs.
USAF (Ret.) 1985 - 2005. E-4B Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief and Contracting Officer.
My current Registry sets:
✓ Everyman Mint State Carson City Morgan Dollars (1878 – 1893)
✓ Everyman Mint State Lincoln Cents (1909 – 1958)
✓ Morgan Dollar GSA Hoard (1878 – 1891)
A new member who knows varieties! This bodes well. Congrats!
I am a huge fan of NGC's Variety Plus program. I think it's fantastic for coins that maybe aren't in the Cherrypickers guide but are obvious enough to put on a slab. It's a fantastic idea.
Coin Photographer.
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I agree, I really like the idea behind NGC’s Variety Plus. I just wish I found their slabs more attractive. Right now for the things PCGS doesn’t attribute, I’m waffling between having them done at NGC, or putting them in PCGS plastic and then sending them to @messydesk for attribution.
From your photo, the "Y" in LIBERTY has split serifs that jump out at you.
Pete