What should I be looking for?

DesertRat

I just dumped out about 75-lbs of Lincolns on my kitchen table (wife is out of town). These I have been throwing in a sparkletts bottle for the last 15 years or so. Besides the obvious 1909-S-VDB, what should I be looking for?

Russ

1914-D, 1922 plain, strong reverse, 1955 DDO.

Russ, NCNE

merz2

I'd say also 1924-D,1931-S, 1936 DDO just to name a few.

Gonfunko

1998, 1999 and 2000-P "Wide AM" reverses. Im the letters A and M in AMERICA are separated, it's worth about $20. Also check for 1995-P doubled dies (look in LIBERTY), the 1984 doubled ear (Lincoln's earlobe), 1983 DDR (Look for doubling in ONE CENT), and the 1972-P DDO (entire obverse). Any of the DDO/R's are worth a couple hunded, with the exception of the 1995, whcih is worth about $30-50. Good luck - wish I could search 'em too!

DHeath

What should I be looking for?

Scotch and water. Then I'd sort them by date/mm and look for nice coins and varieties, using the Coneca website as a reference.

coinguy89

1995 doubled die obverse, any wheaties from the san fransisco mint in the teens.

coppercoins

All joking and self promotion aside, you need a copy of my book. It was written specifically to answer your question. Visit my website (in the sig line) for more.

A little help here, though...if you've been pulling them from change for the past 15 years you likely won't find very many wheats. Concentrating on the memorial cents, there are few different nice coins to look for...

1964P DDR - strong rotated reverse.
1969S DDO - strong rotated obverse.
1970S DDO - strong rotated obverse.
1971P DDO - strong distorted doubled obverse.
1972P DDO - four different strong to moderate rotated obverses.
1980D OMM - S mintmark to the north of the D mintmark.
1980P DDO - strong rotated obverse.
1982P DDO - strong pivoted obverse, strongest in the motto.
1983P DDO - few different, mostly in motto and LIBERTY.
1983P DDR - Strong offset doubling to the north on entire reverse.
1984P DDO - offset doubling, extra beard and ear southwest.
1988P DDO - very strong distorted doubling.
1992D - Close AM reverse.
1994P DDR - extra column inside last bay to right.
1995P DDO - strong pivoted doubling, mainly in LIBERTY and motto.
1995D DDO - strong pivoted doubling, mainly in motto.
1997P DDO - doubled ear south.
1998P, 1999P, 2000P - wide AM reverse.

There are many others, this is just a short list of the better stuff from memory.

DesertRat

Wow...lots of stuff...thanks folks!

I got me a bottle of Glenlivets 12yr old single malt, a magnifying glass, plenty of light and good music....guess I'm all set. Since it is 106 outside this is the perfect way to spend an evening alone.

I'll check back here periodically to give my eyes a rest.

100proof1957

Rat,
Buy the book from coppercoins ! $21.95
Dewars white label with a twist on the rocks. $24.95
Big Bad Voodoo Daddys on the CD player. $14.95
couple pair of latex gloves (no powder) $5.00
Wife out of town and 75 lbs of wheaties Priceless !

mgoodm3

With the hooch on board better go through 'em twice.

merz2

I have to agree with 100proof1957.coppercoins book is one of the very best for finding good(valuable) Lincolns.

richbeat

I would pretty much agree with the others. First, arm yourself with knowledge on what to look for. Besides the key and semi-key dates, there are numerous repunched mint marks, doubled die obverses and reverses, and errors. Learn what types of errors there are, and what they look like. Off center strikes, clipped planchets, brockages, and off metal strikes are some of the errors you could find. There are others. Your odds will be better finding repunched mint marks as they are more common. If you are willing to do this, you'll have a lot of fun looking for these things, and 75 lbs. of cents should keep you busy for awhile. The websites and Charles' (coppercoins) book will make for an excellent start. Good luck and let us know what you find. If you have doubts whether or not you've found something, post here on the boards with a description and photos (especially photos) and the good people here will help you out.