'Cherrypickers' Author Signs NGC Labels
Bill Fivaz, prominent numismatist and author of the Cherrypickers’ Guide to Die Varieties of United States Coins, has agreed to sign Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) labels under an exclusive arrangement, the firm announced June 7.
Fivaz has won numerous awards for his work, and in 2021 was named one of the Most Influential People in Numismatics (1960-2020).
Commonly known as the Cherrypickers’ Guide, the book was first published in 1990, and it describes for readers ways to examine otherwise normal coins by looking for unusual characteristics, doubled and tripled dies, overdates, repunched mintmarks and other factors that can reveal how rare – and valuable – a coin might be. The book has been re-issued several times since its original publication.
“I am excited to work with NGC, which is well known for its expertise in attributing rare coins, including die varieties,” Fivaz said. “NGC’s Signature Series program is an excellent way to emphasize a personal connection to numismatic rarities.”
“With his important contributions to helping coin collectors, Bill Fivaz has helped the numismatic hobby grow,” said Mark Salzberg, NGC chairman. “We are thrilled to have him join our roster of talented individuals who hand-sign NGC certification labels.”
NGC’s VarietyPlus resource, online at www. ngccoin. com/ variety- plus/ unitedstates, lists varieties for thousands of U.S. coins that can be attributed on the NGC certification label. This includes dozens of Fivaz-Stanton variety numbers (abbreviated as FS) from the Cherrypickers’ Guide.
Other books by Fivaz include Helpful Hints for Enjoying Coin Collecting, United States Gold Detection Guide and Bill Fivaz's Counterfeit Detection Guide.
In November 2020, Stack’s Bowers Galleries auctioned off Fivaz’s World's Worst Type Set, which he had collected over three decades; the set featured coins graded Poor 1 and Fair 2.
Fivaz has had a lifelong commitment to educating others about numismatics. The American Numismatic Association named one of its Young Numismatist Literary Awards after Fivaz, which honors children ages 8-12 who compete by submitting articles about the hobby.
Coins certified with the new Fivazsigned labels will be available from Flower Hill Coins & Collectables. Visit online at www.flowerhillcollectables.com.