@lkeigwin said:
I like wood grain but I am not a fan of the OP's coin. This is what I find attractive.
Lance.
I think it depends on the coin. I am not a huge fan of the ops coin because the wood graining is a bit streaky and unappealing to me. On the other hand, I think this one, above, is very nice and I am curious of its grade (Looks 63ish). Several others posted are beautiful as well. Normally, I prefer wood graining on circulated specimens, but, again, it depends on the overall look of the coin. With apologies in advance, I dislike the VF-25 shown above. To each his or her own, I suppose. My 09-S VDB without wood graining shown below has its own distractions but is fully original. It was purchased raw in a Capitol Plastics holder and received a 64+R grade at PCGS, which I think is a bit generous.
@TPRC said:
I think it depends on the coin. I am not a huge fan of the ops coin because the wood graining is a bit streaky and unappealing to me. On the other hand, I think this one, above, is very nice and I am curious of its grade (Looks 63ish).
The '21-S is in an older holder graded 64RB.
Lance.
I don't care for wood-grain toning, but I know that a lot of collectors like it. I pass on those coins.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
@CaptHenway said:
Always a positive for me on an SVDB.
I wonder to what degree the woodgrain toning establishes the authenticity of copper-based planchets of that era. While many examples of wood-free specimens exist, I estimate that there may be fewer counterfeit woodies out there. I like the look of many of the examples shared in this thread, and I think many look more appealing than my OP example.
@CaptHenway said:
Always a positive for me on an SVDB.
I wonder to what degree the woodgrain toning establishes the authenticity of copper-based planchets of that era. While many examples of wood-free specimens exist, I estimate that there may be fewer counterfeit woodies out there. I like the look of many of the examples shared in this thread, and I think many look more appealing than my OP example.
I don’t disagree, although as I understand it, many of the counterfeits (esp. 1909–S VDB) are genuine coins with mint marks added. Also, many of the counterfeited dates are mostly in TPG holders now, so the planchet characteristics may have less value today than it did, say thirty years ago.
@Doubledieanotherday said:
My first 1909 s vdb had the wood grain look and I liked it a lot. As time went on I started to dislike it a lot and got rid of it. In my current opinion I would never buy one with the wood graining again. However some people like it. But it grew on me like a defect in the coin
The first coin I ever bought at a Long Beach Expo show (circa 1995) was a 1909-S VDB in PCGS MS64RB for $800 with woodgrain toning. I also grew to dislike it and sold it sometime later.
There are many great coins and comments shared on this thread, and there was enough feedback that I thought it would be interesting to tally the positives and negatives regarding the Woodgrain toning found in old copper-based specimens.
The results reflect those who offered opinions regarding woodgrain toning and the OP. The results do not necessarily reflect a vote favoring the OP, especially given its green spot.
Positive: 18 (72%)
Negative: 7 (28%)
These numbers reflected 25 assessments overall and surprised me. I was expecting more of a 50/50 mix. However, it is hard to categorize these, as each coin has a different eye appeal. The results may only truly relate to the eye appeal for the OP rather than woodgrain toning in general.
As Girogio11 pointed out, it all boils down to personal taste. It seems like a significant group of collectors does not dismiss a coin because of the woodgrain tone.
Not scientific, but a fun exercise.
After seeing the comments on this thread, I wonder if I will eventually dislike this coin as others have.
Comments
The cheek gouge is a definite detraction, but I am concerned especially over the green spot at 3 o'clock. Thanks for taking a look....
I like it.
My wood
I think it depends on the coin. I am not a huge fan of the ops coin because the wood graining is a bit streaky and unappealing to me. On the other hand, I think this one, above, is very nice and I am curious of its grade (Looks 63ish). Several others posted are beautiful as well. Normally, I prefer wood graining on circulated specimens, but, again, it depends on the overall look of the coin. With apologies in advance, I dislike the VF-25 shown above. To each his or her own, I suppose. My 09-S VDB without wood graining shown below has its own distractions but is fully original. It was purchased raw in a Capitol Plastics holder and received a 64+R grade at PCGS, which I think is a bit generous.
Tom
The '21-S is in an older holder graded 64RB.
Lance.
I don't care for wood-grain toning, but I know that a lot of collectors like it. I pass on those coins.
Always a positive for me on an SVDB.
I don't understand it.
It doesn't look like Abe shaved.
Pete
I wonder to what degree the woodgrain toning establishes the authenticity of copper-based planchets of that era. While many examples of wood-free specimens exist, I estimate that there may be fewer counterfeit woodies out there. I like the look of many of the examples shared in this thread, and I think many look more appealing than my OP example.
I don’t disagree, although as I understand it, many of the counterfeits (esp. 1909–S VDB) are genuine coins with mint marks added. Also, many of the counterfeited dates are mostly in TPG holders now, so the planchet characteristics may have less value today than it did, say thirty years ago.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Beautiful coin. I’m a huge fan of nice wood-grained Lincolns and IHCs.
Dave
I personally don't care for woodgrain toning.
I prefer a more even degree of brown toning:
The first coin I ever bought at a Long Beach Expo show (circa 1995) was a 1909-S VDB in PCGS MS64RB for $800 with woodgrain toning. I also grew to dislike it and sold it sometime later.
There are many great coins and comments shared on this thread, and there was enough feedback that I thought it would be interesting to tally the positives and negatives regarding the Woodgrain toning found in old copper-based specimens.
The results reflect those who offered opinions regarding woodgrain toning and the OP. The results do not necessarily reflect a vote favoring the OP, especially given its green spot.
Positive: 18 (72%)
Negative: 7 (28%)
These numbers reflected 25 assessments overall and surprised me. I was expecting more of a 50/50 mix. However, it is hard to categorize these, as each coin has a different eye appeal. The results may only truly relate to the eye appeal for the OP rather than woodgrain toning in general.
As Girogio11 pointed out, it all boils down to personal taste. It seems like a significant group of collectors does not dismiss a coin because of the woodgrain tone.
Not scientific, but a fun exercise.
After seeing the comments on this thread, I wonder if I will eventually dislike this coin as others have.