Basic Lincoln Question

Collector

can someone explain the relative value of the RD red designator vice RB Red Brown vice no such designator being added to the grade of the coin...Ive seen many lincolns with these two designators added to the slab..all describing the general appearance of the coin I assume..but what if there is no designator....

thanks!

coppercoins

On a slabbed coin either the coin is a 1943 cent, it's circulated, or it's not graded properly. All MS grades should have BN, RB, or RD to describe their graded color.

ccrdragon

A coin with the RD (red) designation is a coin that looks the same basic color as it did at the mint and has not developed a patina to cover the original color of the coin. Since coper is a very reactive metal, it is very difficult to find a coin that retained it's original color and luster over a longer period of time - this means that the RD coins are scarcer and more valuable.

A coin with the RB (red-brown) designation is one that has at least 10% (I think) of the original color and less than 90% of the original color left. These are more common and the price reflects that.

The percentages that I quote vary, but they are in the ballpark for the 3 major grading companies.

Collector

understand for Mint State Coins..what about proofs..does the same apply...would seem all proofs should have the RD designator.....if this were the case....the only reason I ask this is that I acquired a Proof 78 PCGS Lincoln..that was labelled PR69RD DCAM...thought that was odd

coppercoins

No, and no.

Typically proofs will always have the color designation.

There are a lot of RB and BN proof cents, especially the earlier Lincoln and the indian head cents.

Collector

most late date lincoln proofs that have I seen recently simply reflect the grade and cam or dcam....none that i have seen show the color designator.....this is the first in my 59 to current DCAMs that I have acquired that has any form of designator on it...thanks

AlphaOmega

If you follow the PCGS registry links to the Lincoln Cents 1909-1958 area there is a hyperlink immediately above the #1 set "Notes: This set has been weighted. Click here to view bonuses for RB & RED designations."

I have already memorized those cents given an RB bonus of "2" (there is only one.......common, what is it?)

Associated weights are neatly displayed by PCGS for your convenience.