In the popular hunt for errors and double dies, hobbyists should focus on collecting a set of the nine varieties as described by the Cherrypickers’ Guide, the Bible of double and triple dies, repunched mint marks and overdates.
Depending on the guide book, there may be more than nine varieties, but the listed nine here are the most coveted. Here is an illustration of them:
As you can see from the pictures above, the original double die is easy to discern with the naked eye. So, too, the FS-102, 103 and 105. FS-104 is the subtlest and most sought after rarity. There are ever so slight differences in the FS106-109 cents.
Please read the Cherrypickers’ Guide for a more detailed description of each type. I will include a brief overview of key diagnostics, to give you a head start. But buying and reading the Guide is of utmost importance if you are one of the ambitious hobbyists attempting to buy, bid on or find all of these double dies.
In 2023, Numismatic News reported the sale of the FS-104 cent for a whopping $21,118. That is the most coveted of these varieties.
Here are PCGS values for all of the varieties, from MS60 to MS68:
As you can see, the FS-104 brings higher values than any of the varieties, and it is also one of the most difficult to detect. You will need a loupe to see the small nodules on the “7” and “2” along with slight doubling under the “2.”
Here are diagnostics of DDO and FS-102/03.
The FS-102 and 103 are relatively easy to recognize, with the DD on the underside of the “2,” as distinct from the DDO. FS-103 is similar to FS102; but the DD on the top of the “7” distinguishes the two.
The FS-104 is included here for comparison purposes. The FS-105 has distinct doubling on the “7” and “2.” The FS-106 is similar but lacks the clearer doubling on the “7,” unlike the FS105.
You’ll need a loupe for the FS-107 that has subtle doubling on the “2,” making the “2” in the date on worn examples seem a tad larger than normal. The “7” on the FS-108 also will appear thicker than a normal “7,” but the key here is the seemingly triple DD on the “2” in uncirculated examples. Again, on worn cents, this will be difficult to decipher. The FS-109 has a clear DD on the “2” with distinct echoes above and below the “2” and a very faint echo below the “7.”
To be sure, it is unlikely that you will be able to assemble a complete set from pocket change or even buy an FS-104 in any condition. But the pursuit of these varieties can bring good results and high values, making the effort reasonable, especially since it trains the eye for grading coins and deciphering other errors and varieties.
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You can find more information about types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.
