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Wood Grain Lincoln does it affect the grade?
Jmis
Posts: 112 ✭✭✭
First post in the group, hope to get some information on wood grain Lincoln cents. I’m a big fan of Wood Grain Lincoln’s myself and understand how the coin was minted that way. My question is does it affect the grade of the coin? I called PCGS customer service and the guy really didn’t understand wood grain and said he would forward my info and coin Cert# in question to the graders.
My coin in question is my 1909s VDB. I’ve showed it to a couple dealers and they also agree the grade is low for the details in the coin. What are your thoughts please?
5
Comments
Personally, I am more of a fan of woodgrain Lincolns when the cent is uncirculated rather than worn. With luster the woodgrain appearance is attractive. Worn, and thus no luster, it appears kind of like damage.
peacockcoins
I agree with the grade on your coin so I guess the answer is NO. Color streaks affect the eye appeal but eye appeal is not paramont with circulated coins.
Yes the wood grain look can have either a positive or negative effect on the eye appeal part of the grade.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
I’m not sure that I agree with the positive eye-appeal part. But either way, I doubt that it affects the grade of circulated coins like the one posted in this thread.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@Jmis....Welcome aboard. There is a segment of collectors here that like the wood grain Lincolns, so you will get a few comments from those who collect them. On circulated coins, IMO, it seems to detract from the appearance, however, I am not a collector of this type coin. Cheers, RickO
There are fewer that would be considered positive eye appeal than negative but I have seen a few that I would consider so, of course eye appeal is a highly subjective aspect so its quite possible that you have not seen any that you would consider as a positive. Woodies seem to fall into the you like it or you don't category most of the time anyway, and I would agree that its much less an issue with circulated coins than mint state.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Not sure about the grade, but it sure impacts the price.
I collect MS woodgrain Lincolns, and I usually have to pay up for the nice ones. $$$
Dave
I’ve always seen a premium myself or at least emphasized wood grain.
It can sometimes be quite dramatic and eye appealing, IMO. Here's one I like.
Lance.
Great looking coin!
- Bob -
"Central Valley" Roosevelts
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
In the OP case...it does not help.
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The OP coin is just plain ugly. It is a coin I would decline to purchase. The details are better than VF 25 but that fact can't save it.
Like any coin be it silver, copper
or gold , eye appeal is taken into account when grading and more so when pricing.
I have collected Lincoln Cents
for longer than almost anybody.
The coin posted by the op is technically XF 40 or better but
no offense it is butt ugly .
My advice is to sell it and look for an attractive mint state 1909s VDB
Woody in the ms 64R/B grade .
I appreciate the feedback and information, and opinions. Thank you. As for me I love coin and have no plans on selling it, I bought it because I liked the look and thought the details of the coin were above the grade on slab. I’ll continue to admire it 😎
I like wood grain toning usually but I am not a fan of the OP's coin.
...this is what it’s all about right here fellas...without real passion for coins like the OP has displayed right here for his/hers...all would be lost in our wonderful hobby and coin dealers would be stuck wholesaling their inventories back and forth to each other like a bad game of Go Fish...Congrats to the OP for collecting what you “admire” regardless of criticism
I'm not a fan.
For me wood grain is like adjustment marks on early U.S. silver and gold coins. Since it is part of mint process, it does not affect the grade, but it will affect my decision to buy the coin, frequently in the negative direction.
Anyone have a RD wood grain cent, or does it only show up after its toned a bit? Just wondering what they looked like right off the press.
IMHOP wood graining gives a coin character, but too much adversely affects it.
Pete
If the price is right ... I'd take it.
Wood grain does detract and the graders are tough on them. I try to avoid collecting them but somedays I can't resist.
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
Here's another I really liked. Tough date/mm.
Lance.
It doesn't have that coveted "S" mintmark, but here is mine.
My War Nickels https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/nickels/jefferson-nickels-specialty-sets/jefferson-nickels-fs-basic-war-set-circulation-strikes-1942-1945/publishedset/94452
I personally like the character of an attractive, eye appealing Woodie. My only suggestion. for future collecting, is to focus on eye appeal and not get crazy with the contrasting look. As you can see by the posts, people either like them or are turned off by them.
^Couldn't afford this if it was San Francisco-made, but the woodgrain effect was one of the reasons I was drawn to this example.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
My comment will probably go over like a lead balloon but this probably was too strong of a reaction to a new person posting on the site. Education to prompt feedback and discussion would have been the better route imho.
Been waiting for this thread to degrade into random pics.
The faster they learn the less money they lose.
Thank you, I actually thought it was a bit harsh myself.
What am I learning? I bought the coin because I like it. I asked if wood grain affects the grade. Never did I ask the forum if they like my coin.
I like it and all the other Woodies posted as well.
Don't know how it affects grade or price and don't really care one way or another. If I like the coin that is all that matters to me. 
Enjoy your coin.