A good day for cherry picking

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may
may Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited February 15, 2026 2:47PM in U.S. Coin Forum

Went to my local coin show today, came back with this:
1884 O PL not pictured

Most notable was the three cent piece, which is a unattributed proof! It has a good amount of hairlines unfortunately, so I grade it a 61. Still very nice for 200. The other nice find was the 1881-S, flawless cheek and very few marks. I grade it a 66.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqKbql8etio

Comments

  • oldglorycoins
    oldglorycoins Posts: 305 ✭✭✭
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    Can we see a better pic of the "proof" 3c please?

    Micah Langford - https://www.oldglorycoinsandcurrency.com/

  • 291fifth
    291fifth Posts: 25,218 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Why am I not crazy about these "cherry picks"/

    All glory is fleeting.
  • may
    may Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @oldglorycoins said:
    Can we see a better pic of the "proof" 3c please?

    I’ll take pictures when I get it out the flip for submission, but yes it is proof. I did a considerable amount of research before this, and the strike sharpness especially the bottom corners of the shield are unmatched by any business strike. The proof surfaces are also a very obvious giveaway.

  • may
    may Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Sorry for original pictures. These do it justice.

  • mach19
    mach19 Posts: 5,048 ✭✭✭✭
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    That's AWESOME !

    TIN SOLDIERS & NIXON COMING image
  • IkesT
    IkesT Posts: 4,595 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice find! You are photographing at an angle to show the surfaces, but it's also important to take photos straight on for accurate assessment of the die markers. The date placement appears to be correct for a proof, however. There are also diagnostic die lines that would photograph well under a usb microscope, if you have one.

    Good luck with your submission. It may take multiple submissions and a long fight with TPGs to get a low-grade proof attributed correctly, especially on a small coin like a 3cs. This can throw a real wrench into your plans, especially if you are planning on a quick flip. ;)

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,049 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Is the 1890 cc vam7 a tail bar variety? I forgot 🤔

  • Cidercottage26
    Cidercottage26 Posts: 54 ✭✭
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    @may, What's your definition of a cherrypick?

  • may
    may Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Cidercottage26 said:
    @may, What's your definition of a cherrypick?

    A proof 3cn piece for 200.

  • may
    may Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @johnny9434 Nope, at least mine doesn't. It has a slightly doubled CC, though.

  • may
    may Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 15, 2026 2:44PM
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    @291fifth Meant the 3c. The others are just hole fillers.

  • Connecticoin
    Connecticoin Posts: 13,278 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 15, 2026 3:38PM
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    The 81-S looks like a 64 shot 65 to me. Too many hits on the cheek for a 66 based on the photo. Also I am skeptical the 3CS is proof - appears to be a polished MS coin.

    *For Sale on Ebay*
  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,922 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I think the OP is correct in identifying his trime as a proof.

  • Barberian
    Barberian Posts: 4,643 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    It's a good day for cherry selling, too.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Barberian said:
    It's a good day for cherry selling, too.

    You don't like the price on the 81-S?

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Impossible to be sure about the 1860 from the photos. The rims don't look like a proof to me, but the photos are not good enough to really be able to determine anything.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • Crypto
    Crypto Posts: 4,098 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I think it is a proof though not sure I agree with either of his grades but he has had them in hand and I have not so I will concede ignorance. Cool coins are cool coins

    11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set

  • may
    may Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 15, 2026 10:39PM
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    @Connecticoin said:
    The 81-S looks like a 64 shot 65 to me. Too many hits on the cheek for a 66 based on the photo. Also I am skeptical the 3CS is proof - appears to be a polished MS coin.

    Just some toning messing with my camera for that- If I can get better photos with my crappy camera, I will post them. My old phone that cost me $60 had a way better camera than this one it seems.

    -short video, looks a little shiny but that's just how the majority of the 81S's come. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyYW_AJdTBM

  • may
    may Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 16, 2026 11:04AM
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    Update on the trime- IkesT has identified it as a proof die, but it got used for business strikes aswell.

  • Barberian
    Barberian Posts: 4,643 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 16, 2026 8:38PM
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    @jmlanzaf said:

    @Barberian said:
    It's a good day for cherry selling, too.

    You don't like the price on the 81-S?

    I'm cryptically referring to my cherries. I just auctioned off a picked 1855/54 half off eBay ($103) for $455 on Great Collections.

  • may
    may Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 15, 2026 11:25PM
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    @jmlanzaf said:

    @Barberian said:
    It's a good day for cherry selling, too.

    You don't like the price on the 81-S?

    Haha I got all those Morgan’s for about 80-90. I only spent about 500, but I did do a trade for the 3 cent.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @may said:

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @Barberian said:
    It's a good day for cherry selling, too.

    You don't like the price on the 81-S?

    Haha I got all those Morgan’s for about 80-90. I only spent about 500, but I did do a trade for the 3 cent.

    You paid $90 for the CC?

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • may
    may Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @jmlanzaf said:

    @may said:

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @Barberian said:
    It's a good day for cherry selling, too.

    You don't like the price on the 81-S?

    Haha I got all those Morgan’s for about 80-90. I only spent about 500, but I did do a trade for the 3 cent.

    You paid $90 for the CC?

    No 225. The other Morgans meant.

  • scotty1419
    scotty1419 Posts: 1,171 ✭✭✭✭
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    Really like that 81s - especially at $90!

  • Cougar1978
    Cougar1978 Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 17, 2026 6:33PM
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    The 3c piece with those scratches is a cull,

    Investor
  • tonedcoinlover
    tonedcoinlover Posts: 95 ✭✭✭
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    Simply stated
    That is a PROOF!
    No questions.

  • Cougar1978
    Cougar1978 Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 17, 2026 6:36PM
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    The raw 81- s dollar I got a CACG MS 64 for $120 awhile back.

    Investor

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