Opinions on this 1965 SMS "Wannabe" Cameo Lincoln Cent?

ellewood

I posted this coin a couple of months back but have recently redone the photo. Photo is raw so what you see is what you get. Several folks thought the reverse cameo might be a little light to receive the cameo designation. Is there anyone here that would try to upgrade this thing? I think about this coin almost everyday and I kick myself for not at least trying. What do you all think? Am I just dreaming again?

segoja

Reverse looks a touch light.

Still a super duper 65 cent.

ellewood

I can see where you could say that the rev. cam is lighter than the obv cam. I left the lights in the exact same position for both shots (obv & rev) so there shouldn't be too much to blame on the lighting.

Question is then: Is the rev CAM too light - in your opinion - to give it a shot? Man it would be fun to have this thing CAM on a regrade.

Guess I'm dreaming though...

Cameonut

On the four or five '65 cameo cents I have handled, the obverse usually has the weaker contrast. On your coin it is the opposite. The mirrors look OK in the pic - PCGS likes mirrors that are similar to actual proofs of that era to grant the cameo designation.

My thought is the same as Segoja - the reverse looks a bit light. If you intend to sell the coin, one thing you might try (heaven forbid) is to try the coin across the street. In my experience, they are a bit less stringent on the SMS cents. Then you can try the crossover game (a game I have not been successful at thus far on SMS cents). Even if it doesn't cross, you'll realize more in an NGC cam holder than a PCGS non-cam holder in my experience.

ellewood

RegistryNut

Toby,
Is the risk worth the reward. Sure it is. Send that beauty in. You can't possibly want to wonder
about it for the rest of your life. Heck, sell it to me at the SMS Red67 price and I'll let you know
how it regraded.

RegistryNut

WaterSport

I agree, send it in.

WS

keets

i doubt the non-cameo designation has anything to do with frost/contrast. the mirrors are jusyt a bit too hazed so it'll just remain as a PQ undesignated gem.