Which one of the major coins?

joeykoins · November 4, 2019 11:08AM

Hi guy's, This thread might be the longest post I've ever posted? I was thinking about what major error/variety coins that could be the most likely ones to be found in the wild, in today's world. Are some of these gems still out there? I hope so! Also, Out of the certain ones I'm ready to announce, do you think the people that discovered these are still alive today? Here are the Major ones I have in mind. I'll start off with the famous '55 Double-Die Cent. Do you think it is possible to hunt this one down today? Next, how 'bout the very rare 1913 'V' Nickel? Then there's the 41/42 Mercury D.D. We can't forget the 3 Legged Buffalo. Then I'll end it with the highly sought after 1943 Copper Cent. I know, I only mentioned 5. For the sake of space and time, I listed these elite ones. Sure there can be a few more to add but I'll stick with these for now. Just think, one of these can turn up because of many reasons. Maybe, a person has some coins in their drawers or in some jars of change they forgot about? Maybe, some of these treasures can be hidden inside of their walls of their house? Esp. their grandparents house that recently passed on and now they inherited the house? Who knows, right? Many more explanations to why a coin/coins can be found in today's world. Out of the 5 coins listed, list the ones that you think would be the most likely to be found. The #1. being the most likely, then the #5. being the least likely. I'll show you my choices. Thanks guy's in advance!
1. 3 Legged Buffalo
2. 41/42 Mercury D.D.
3. 55 Double-Die
4. 1943 Copper Cent
5. 1913 'V' Nickel

Insider2 · November 4, 2019 11:17AM

@joeykoins asked: "...what major error/variety coins that could be the most likely ones to be found in the wild, in today's world."
"Out of the 5 coins listed, list the ones that you think would be the most likely to be found. The #1. being the most likely, then the #5. being the least likely. I'll show you my choices. Thanks guy's in advance!"

3 Legged Buffalo
41/42 Mercury D.D.
55 Double-Die
1943 Copper Cent
1913 'V' Nickel

ZERO!

More likely many of the doubled die Lincolns after 1970.

joeykoins · November 4, 2019 11:22AM

Your assumption may be correct! All I'm saying or hoping, is on the possible side of thinking, not the improbable side. Who knows, right? Can you imagine another 1913 'V' Nickel surfacing once again? WOW! Oh well, just being an optimist.

seanq · November 4, 2019 11:35AM

If by "in the wild" you mean in circulation, I think the answer (short of a thief dumping one) is none of the above. I wouldn't call it "likely" but I think the best one could hope to find searching circ coins are the Memorial cent varieties. Even things like the 1969-S and 1970-S DDOs are probably out there somewhere.

Now if you meant to ask if someone could find one of these at a show or online, I think the Mercury dime overdates and the 3-legged Buffalo could still be found, but not the other three. I bet most people would be stunned at what can still be picked from dealers. Case in point - last month, I cherrrypicked a raw circulated 1909-S with a weak VDB in an online auction.

Sean Reynolds

joeykoins · November 4, 2019 11:43AM

Nice find, dude! Good for you. Yeah, what I meant "in the wild" is not online or at shows, I mean in circulation. You mentioned the 1969s Cent. That's another good one I failed to list. We can at least dream,right? LOL Once again, good hunting on your part for that 1909-S.

joeykoins · November 4, 2019 11:52AM

My opinion, If any realistic chance, other than the ones posted above, could be the 1992 Close AM Cent. As well as, the Beautiful 1999 Wide AM Cent (inc.the 1998 and 2000). The 1969-S DD and the 1992 Close AM Cents, can be quite valuable in the right condition. These coins are realistically the only ones that we might be able to track down? Not the 5 elite that I first mentioned. But still, one NEVER knows! Just keeping positive. LOL

BryceM · November 4, 2019 11:53AM

Ike’s don’t actually exist in the wild anymore (and the proofs never really did), but another “no S” Ike dollar would be an incredible find. It’s likely that more than a single example exists.

Insider2 · November 4, 2019 11:58AM

@joeykoins said:
Your assumption may be correct! All I'm saying or hoping, is on the possible side of thinking, not the improbable side. Who knows, right? Can you imagine another 1913 'V' Nickel surfacing once again? WOW! Oh well, just being an optimist.

NO!

But I was wrong about the others. I'll guarantee some circulated 1,2, and 3's are still in the wild. You'll need to be searching junk silver and coin accumulations from non-collectors.

AUandAG · November 4, 2019 12:13PM

@Insider2 said:
@joeykoins asked: "...what major error/variety coins that could be the most likely ones to be found in the wild, in today's world."
"Out of the 5 coins listed, list the ones that you think would be the most likely to be found. The #1. being the most likely, then the #5. being the least likely. I'll show you my choices. Thanks guy's in advance!"

3 Legged Buffalo

41/42 Mercury D.D.

55 Double-Die

1943 Copper Cent

1913 'V' Nickel

ZERO!

More likely many of the doubled die Lincolns after 1970.

It's not zero. I've found two wild 42/41 mercs. But, zero on the rest. Like maybe add the 09svdb to the list?

bob

AUandAG · November 4, 2019 12:15PM

I thought by "wild" he meant not at a coin shop or coin show. Anything else is fair game, like old collections, ebay, etsy, etc

bob

Hemispherical · November 4, 2019 1:17PM

In the wild, to me, means found as change after a $$ transaction.

I still do carry a wallet (with FRNs) and the usual hodgepodge of junk that accumulates. Cleanout usual happens once... when I’m gifted a new wallet.

oldabeintx · November 4, 2019 4:13PM

I would guess that the best bets would be the LIncolns as they still circulate and have been accumulated unexamined in jars and such, probably in the millions. However, the odds of being struck by lightning on a clear day are probably better if one just looks at pocket change.

DRUNNER · November 4, 2019 4:19PM

Some Proof Set accumulation comes into a shop. Typical offer is quite a bit back of bid (with logic) . . . . and a few weeks later while looking through you take a closer look at the dime in the simple 1975 set.

Drunner

MFeld · November 4, 2019 7:40PM

The 1913 Liberty Nickels don’t really belong on such a list. As opposed to the other coins, they had a (generally accepted) known number produced and their whereabouts are known by various hobbyists.

joeykoins · November 4, 2019 8:51PM

In my opening post, I also mentioned the people that did discover the 5 coins. Does anyone know if any are still living today? and who are these people? Anyone know their names?

RockyMtnProspector · November 4, 2019 9:53PM

I cherry-picked a 42/41 D Mercury dime from the hoard my grandfather left me when he passed. I hadn't looked at the coins really while he was still alive--I knew they were for me but I was in high school and otherwise not a coin collector at the time (I was as a kid, but you know, life). When he died I left the hoard at my parents' house as I was in college and then out on my own moving from place to place and did not want anything really valuable in a dorm or apartment.

When I re-entered the hobby in 2013, I learned quickly about the Cherrypickers' Guide from this forum and went about scouring my hoard. Low and behold, of the $4.30 face in Mercury dimes from 1942-D, one was an overdate!

It was first encapsulated in an ANACS VF30 holder and crossed to our hosts at VF25 and later earned a CAC green bean.

It's my favorite coin passed on to me and it will never be sold in my lifetime!

joeykoins · November 4, 2019 11:33PM

Wow! Beautiful story! Your story should inspire all of us here on our Forum. This proves that one of my 5 elite coins can appear in the wild. Such as your grandfather's Mercury '42/1 did. Thank you for bringing your story up and posting it.
One More Thing... Congrats. on cherrypicking a real gem!

RockyMtnProspector · November 4, 2019 11:34PM

It was in the "wild" even if it hadn't circulated since the late 40s, which is my understanding of when the Mercury dimes in the collection--about $300 face--were put away.

I'm just glad I hadn't just cashed in in 2011 when silver prices spiked and I was unemployed! Saved from the melting pots!

joeykoins · November 5, 2019 12:02AM

Most of the time when something like this occurs, in our hobby, the back story turns out to be more valuable than the price of the coin! Such as yours. I have a similar story with my father. I shared my story many times. To make it quick, my father engraved silver Morgan Dollars for us 5 kids when we were born. My Morgan Dollar (1921s) later in life, soon after joining the Forum, I had an idea. I decided to give it a try to have my "Dad's Dollar" have PCGS grade it. Remember, it was engraved by hand by my Dad. I wrote a long letter to PCGS about my story and wouldn't you know it, PCGS obliged!!! It came back encased and titled, Genuine Graffiti. They even agreed to my request of my title, " Dad's Dollar". In closing, my back story was more valuable than the Morgan Silver Dollar! I made it my Avatar.

OldIndianNutKase · November 5, 2019 12:02AM

Perhaps I should start paying cash once again........just so that I can get some change in return. But I still have 0 chance of finding any of them in my real world.

OINK

joeykoins · November 5, 2019 12:06AM

@OldIndianNutKase said:
Perhaps I should start paying cash once again........just so that I can get some change in return. But I still have 0 chance of finding any of them in my real world.

OINK

Cool! or you can go to your bank and ask for some rolls of coins? You know, quarters, nickels, dimes or pennies. Good Luck

PerryHall · November 5, 2019 2:18AM

@joeykoins said:
Most of the time when something like this occurs, in our hobby, the back story turns out to be more valuable than the price of the coin! Such as yours. I have a similar story with my father. I shared my story many times. To make it quick, my father engraved silver Morgan Dollars for us 5 kids when we were born. My Morgan Dollar (1921s) later in life, soon after joining the Forum, I had an idea. I decided to give it a try to have my "Dad's Dollar" have PCGS grade it. Remember, it was engraved by hand by my Dad. I wrote a long letter to PCGS about my story and wouldn't you know it, PCGS obliged!!! It came back encased and titled, Genuine Graffiti. They even agreed to my request of my title, " Dad's Dollar". In closing, my back story was more valuable than the Morgan Silver Dollar! I made it my Avatar.

Great story. Can we get a pic?

ricko · November 5, 2019 5:23AM

I believe there is a slight chance of finding numbers one and two in the 'wild'....and an extremely slight chance of finding number three....I still check all my cents....well, except for the gallon jug that I have been hauling around forever...might be a surprise in there....Cheers, RickO

Treashunt · November 5, 2019 6:10AM

Not too likely, but: 1969 S, DDO

"On October 29, 2007, collector Michael Tremonti created a lot of excitement in the coin market by announcing that he had discovered a 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse cent in an unsearched roll of Lincoln cents. The coin he found was in high mint state condition. This coin was immediately submitted to PCGS in a Brinks Armored truck, where it was assigned a grade of MS64 Red by PCGS. This same coin sold on January 09, 2008 at public auction for a record-breaking price of $126,500. Remarkable, Tremonti found a second example which is probably the PCGS MS63 Red graded example that sold in a Heritage auction on March 27, 2009 for $86,250. "

source: our hosts: https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1969-s-1c-ddo-fs-101-028-bn/37994/55

In addition, I remember, probably 20+ or so years ago that a woman needed money for her law school tuition, heard about the 1969 S DDO, and search rolls for one.
Apparently she found one & sold it, to pay her tuition.

Also: Coin World, another find:
https://www.coinworld.com/news/precious-metals/coin-search-yields-1969-s-doubled-die-obverse-cent.html

Roll searching yields 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse cent
By Paul Gilkes

Published: May 4, 2018, 11 AM

so, they are still out there

amwldcoin · November 5, 2019 6:45AM

Don't forget about coin collections spent by the unknowing or thiefs. While it's been awhile, a friend of mine got an AU 55 Double-Die Cent in change from Micky Dees!

@Insider2 said:
@joeykoins asked: "...what major error/variety coins that could be the most likely ones to be found in the wild, in today's world."
"Out of the 5 coins listed, list the ones that you think would be the most likely to be found. The #1. being the most likely, then the #5. being the least likely. I'll show you my choices. Thanks guy's in advance!"

3 Legged Buffalo

41/42 Mercury D.D.

55 Double-Die

1943 Copper Cent

1913 'V' Nickel

ZERO!

More likely many of the doubled die Lincolns after 1970.

SanctionII · November 5, 2019 6:55AM

1961 DDR half dollars have been found every few years in OGP proof sets. These OGP sets are IMO in the wild.

joeykoins · November 5, 2019 11:13AM

Thanks for posting the one that discovered the 1969S Cent. Interesting.

joeykoins · November 5, 2019 11:15AM

@PerryHall said:

Great story. Can we get a pic?

Sure.

As you can see my Dad engraved my name on the obverse than my birthday on the reverse. Thanks for asking

joeykoins · November 5, 2019 11:34AM

Since I posted this thread, I was enticed to go to my bank and buy some rolls! Result: nothing. but my heart was pumping when I came across three 1992 Pennies. Hoping when I checked the reverse that the elusive "Close AM" would appear. Oh well, at least I got excited once again. This hobby ROCKS!

DoctorPaper · November 5, 2019 11:57AM

If you go to You-Tube, you will find video's of people buying $500 boxes of rolls of halves (and other denominations) to search on a regular basis. They've got it down to a science, slitting the rolls and looking at the rims for silver coins or other anomalies. I guess this can be considered 'in the wild,' but some of their findings suggest re-release of previously collected coins back into circulation, like early hi grade Walkers, Barbers and even an occasional seated half. In one episode a Panamanian gold coin was found. So I think it IS possible to find rare stuff circulating, though still highly unlikely. But I don't think the coins have been circulating for decades, but are returning from purloined collections or stupid inheritors.

jmlanzaf · November 5, 2019 12:08PM

About 10 years ago, I found a 3-legged Buffalo in a box of bulk Buffs. They may still be around in one of the 500,000 hoards out there.

It is relatively easy to find 1950 D/S S/D quarters in bags of 90%. 1942/41-D can be cherried in 90% bags - it's subtler than the P-mint.

In circulation? Zero

joeykoins · November 5, 2019 12:23PM

My friend recently found a Roosevelt 1982 No P Mint mark. In great condition too. This easily overlooked gem in above average condition can be pretty pricey! It still boggles my mind how coin collector's(Esp. Dealers)just don't bother with the Error/Variety value.WOW! They are leaving tons of cash on the table. Oh well, more for us wise guy's, huh? LOL

joeykoins · November 5, 2019 12:25PM

@jmlanzaf said:
About 10 years ago, I found a 3-legged Buffalo in a box of bulk Buffs. They may still be around in one of the 500,000 hoards out there.

It is relatively easy to find 1950 D/S S/D quarters in bags of 90%. 1942/41-D can be cherried in 90% bags - it's subtler than the P-mint.

In circulation? Zero

Nice find, dude! I don't care what condition this coin brings. It's an awesome Variety!

toyz4geo · November 5, 2019 1:12PM

My best "in the wild" find was 1999 Lincoln wide AM a few years ago. Ididn't get it slabbed, sold it raw on the 'Bay. Always looking. You never know.

BuffaloIronTail · November 5, 2019 1:19PM

@Insider2 said:
@joeykoins asked: "...what major error/variety coins that could be the most likely ones to be found in the wild, in today's world."
"Out of the 5 coins listed, list the ones that you think would be the most likely to be found. The #1. being the most likely, then the #5. being the least likely. I'll show you my choices. Thanks guy's in advance!"

3 Legged Buffalo

41/42 Mercury D.D.

55 Double-Die

1943 Copper Cent

1913 'V' Nickel

ZERO!

More likely many of the doubled die Lincolns after 1970.

The 1971 DDO Obverse comes to mind.

Pete

Which one of the major coins?

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