What's with the date on this 1955 lincoln. Worth purchase?

remainincognito

What would you pay?

remainincognito

What would you say they grade?

lathmach

1st 5 is filled. This is real common. Theres no premium on this sort of thing.

Ray

coppercoins

The die chip appears to be in the right place for that 1955S to be 1955S-1MM-002, a common D/D East RPM. Given that and the appearance that the coin is a low to mid grade uncirculated coin, I'd say $2 or so. As Lathmatch already said, the die chip (or die break, however you want to define the break) does not add any premium value to the coin in itself. It may, however, be a marker for a die variety which does add a modest premium value to the coin.

remainincognito

coppercoins

I'm fairly new and don't quite understand what your trying to tell me fully. I see the 5 filled in, is that also the die chip or break your referring to? I have the ability to purchase both coins for $2.99 before shipping costs. How would I know if it is a marker for a die variety?

richbeat

He's basically saying that you may have a 1955S Lincoln cent with a repunched mint mark. East means that the secondary mint mark is to the right (east) of the primary mint mark. Check your mint mark under magnification and see if you have it.

The die chip is a diagnostic (marker) for that RPM. A tiny piece of the die (between the top horizontal bar of the 5 and the lower curve) broke, or chipped off, leaving a small void. When the planchet was struck, metal flow into that void created the "5 filled in" or blob that you see. It's a common area for a die chip to occur.