Well according to this definition on About.com I guess I am. Are you? Definition: A cherrypicker is a collector who searches through unsorted coin bags, bulk coin lots, and dealer pick bins looking for bargains; someone who tries to find valuable coins that others have overlooked. Cherrypickers are usually looking for small details that have been missed by coin dealers, such as doubled dies, repunched mintmarks, and other error coins and die varieties.
I've won a few coins that, for whatever reasons, flew under the radar of collectors that would have paid much more than I did. Either they didn't know about the auctions, or had had their temporary fill of collecting. Is that cherrypicking? Or just being at the right place at the right time?
I am for sure, but usually at a much less sophisticated level -- picking from change, picking underpriced eBay BINs, and picking lots that include semi-hidden treasures.
I suppose I am, but I don't look through bulk lots very often. Usually, I try to find coins others have overlooked.
yup, love to cherrypick. easy ones: 1864 L Indian purchased as no L. So far about #12 pieces. Flying eagle: 1858/7 #3 pieces Jefferson 1943/2 #4 pieces Jefferson 1939 DDR: #5 pieces and many others, including a Mercury 1942/1 D now in an NGC holder as XF-45
Cherrypicking is finding a dealer selling bulk coins at 10 cents if he picks them or $1 if you pick them and feeling like $1 is by far the better deal. I have gone through bags of a thousand coins all priced the same only to find 2 or 3 cherries and hundreds of pits. If you find that fun rather than work, cherrypicking is for you.
I am Cherrypicker Like ya all and my Ole buddy Frank !!!!! I have filled to many books to list. but still hunt a wheat cent-> 1956-D Shadow that will grade MS-66Red or RB
That's my definition of a good way to spend an afternoon. In world coins a little bit of knowledge can get you a long way in the dealer's bulk bin, because odds are the dealer just picked out the silver and tossed everything else in (and sometimes didn't even find all the silver). I'm bidding on an auction now that could be a real coup if no one else notices it. It has about a day to go. Fingers crossed.
I would say deep down most of us cherrypick to an extent. I mean, I know what classic cherrypicking is. But what about someone who scours auction catalogs and finds a coin that normally goes for $10,000 and only pays $6,000 for it? Its a different scope, but same idea. So, based upon that premise, I think most people who pick coins out of dealer inventory, (as opposed to just buying group lots), are effectively cherrypicking. They are buying a coin at a price/condition range they believe is either fair or undervalued. Examples would be going through a dealers proof sets or junk bins and picking out "better" items at a low price. However, I would say buying a VG 1916d dime from a dealer for a couple hundred under greysheet is also cherrypicking, or buying something slabbed as a 62 when you believe its a 63, etc.
Sometimes, when I go to a coin store, I may have a look at the box/bowl of unsorted coins. I don't really expect to find anything interesting there, but it still is fun. Really depends on how much time I have though. Also, I don't buy many coins at "walk-in" stores ... Christian
I believe I just picked up a $50 coin in a $2 lot, but I have to wait until it arrives to make sure it is what I think it is. I'll post it if I was correct.
Did ye acquire it through correspondence via our modern computing methode or did thou purchase said coinage in thee towne market fair?
Verily, twas purchased through the miracle of electronic commerce from a virtual shopkeep. I pray now that the courier does not suffer some misfortune along the way and misplace my much hoped for parcel.
