Potter edits ‘Cherrypickers’

Whitman Publishing will release an expanded, updated volume of its Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins.

The fifth edition, Volume II, covers half dimes to silver and modern dollars, plus gold dollars through double eagles, commemoratives and bullion.

It will be available in November online, including www.whitman.com, and from booksellers, hobby shops, and coin dealers nationwide for $39.95.

Longtime die variety specialist Ken Potter has joined the Cherrypickers’ team as editor of the new volume, working with the book’s original creators, Bill Fivaz and J.T. Stanton.

“Cherrypicking” involves examining coins that look normal at first glance but have unusual characteristics that can reveal a common coin to be a rare and valuable variety. The guide includes close-up photographs and descriptions, plus market information and values in multiple grades, for more than 780 varieties.

Accurate pricing was an important goal for Potter. “We coordinated our pricing with input from dealers, collectors and other hobby experts and specialists,” he said. “For each variety we studied retail prices, coin-show activity, and real-world auction results.”