1914-d Lincoln mistique

Emindenver

I'm a newbie here and am enjoying the friendly banter and the knowledge of regulars of this site. My interest in coins started back in the late sixties when I began to pick out wheaties and even silver dimes and quarters from change (ocassionally I would run into an Indian Head cent or a Franklin Half). I've never owned anything of real quality or value until just recently when I decided upgrade and finish off a few collections started way back when. I'm down to the big two for the Lincoln cent set, the 09-s VDB, and the 14-d. My question to you verterans is this. Why is the 14-d held in such high esteem? The mintage isn't that low when compared to the 31-s, yet the prices are triple or more for the same grade. Is it that the availability of higher quality examples is lower? Is it just the demand? I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on a fine or very fine and am just wondering about this. What I really need is a little reassurance that I'm getting a good deal and not being taken. I've seen some other threads here about what to expect to pay and how to watch out for fakes. Thanks for your thoughts. I hope you don't mind if I continue to ask such basic questions.

ziggy29

The 1909-S VDB was commonly set aside as a first year of issue, so many examples exist in XF and higher. In the case of 1931-S, its scarcity was almost immediately known and was very quickly saved when found (there aren't many below VF).

The 1914-D, on the other hand, immediately went into circulation and wasn't really recognized as scarce until the 1930s or so. By that time, most of the 1914-D workhorses which remained in commerce for two decades were no better than Fine or VF. In XF and higher (below the "top pop" grades), 1914-D is the true key to the series.

JRocco

Well put ziggy.

coinguy89

Listen to Ziggy.

haletj

A Fine or VF 14-d is a great coin, the best quality before the price really jumps. It is really as scarce as the price indicates (unlike 09-s vdb and 31-s) and a coin always in demand. You would never have trouble finding a buyer if you ever needed to sell it, and I highly doubt you would ever lose money on it. I can't say I'm so confident about the 09-s vdb right now.

cladking

Welcome aboard.

kenoshapete

Haletj,

Why do you say that about the 09s VDB? Just curious. -- I though the zigster put it very well about the 14D.

Pete

coinguy1

Emindenver, welcome to the forums.

While the 1931-S had a lower mintage than the 1914-D, according to Walter Breen, there was a hoard of "over 200,000 red UNCIRCULATED specimens, many weak" of the 1931-S! That could certainly account for a far greater availability and a lower price compared to the 1914-D.



<< <i>What I really need is a little reassurance that I'm getting a good deal and not being taken. I've seen some other threads here about what to expect to pay and how to watch out for fakes >>

The 1914-D issue is frequently forged in a variety of ways. So, in most cases, I would only recommend purchase of one which has been certified by a highly regarded grading company. The exception would be if you were to locate an uncertified one offered by a seller of widely recognized and impeccable credentials. If you locate an example which you are considering for purchase, and wish to run the prices/values by the forum, you can probably get a good deal of help with that.

haletj

Well, it's just the 09-s vdb has gone up sooo much the last two years, that it is hard to tell if that is real collector demand or speculation etc. It is impossible to predict if it is overpriced, still underpriced...etc. At the level a F/VF 14-d is at it seems more at worst priced where it should be.

DesertRat

The 1914-D issue is frequently forged in a variety of ways. So, in most cases, I would only recommend purchase of one which has been certified by a highly regarded grading company.

mgoodm3

Welcome. 14D is a great date. I've always like them. I've got 2 now. One in VG10 (bought raw, now slabbed) and one in VF30.

DRUNNER

Welcome . . .and your question is quite representative of what we need on the Forums . . .

Ziggy and Coinguy1 encapsulate (ha) it perfectly. Original, chocolate, undamaged 1914-Ds in the VF range are almost never available at shows. Yes . . . the 1909-S VDB seems to show up more often, although I certainly would not question its status in the series. I think we just had quite a few more of the 1909-S VDBs saved . . . in ANY condition . . . and too many 1914-Ds have not survived.

DRUNNER

mr1931S

I can agree with most of the comments here about '14 D lincoln. If you buy this coin uncertified, make sure you check the 'D' closely for match with known characteristics of the authentic Denver mint product.

Locating a problem free and original '14 D in grade of full very fine and higher presents a challenge. This date is unquestionably "better" than '31 S despite the lower mintage of '31 S.

dorkkarl

just going on 30 years experience, 1931-s cents in ms-red are common as ketchup.

1914-d by comparison is caviar.

K S