Copper History for the Weekend: The 1922 'no D' Lincoln Cent
Goldbully
Posts: 17,500 ✭✭✭✭✭
I love the history of U.S. Coinage.
Just learned about this copper coin tonight.
Can others add to the below CoinFacts statements?
Jaime Hernandez: The 1922 No D Lincoln cent is the only circulation strike coin, in the entire Lincoln cent series which lacks its intended mint mark.
History: In 1922, the Denver Mint was the only Mint which produced cents for that year. Consequently, all 1922 cents should bare the D mint mark. However, since the Denver Mint was under extreme pressure to produce cents for that year, there was a lot of sloppiness in the production process.
The 1922 No D is believed to exist due to a pair of dies clashing with one another without a coin being in between the two dies. As a result, it is believed that a mint employee obtained an old obverse die and filed it down in order to improve its appearance. But instead, the mint employee ended up filing the D mint mark too much, and in return, created the 1922 No D Lincoln cents.
The 1922 No D Lincoln cent has always been recognized as a major variety within the Lincoln cent series. Due to its popularity this coin has always commanded a hefty premium.
Scarcity: The 1922 No D Strong Reverse Lincoln cent is very challenging to aquire due to its high value in any grade. Most examples are believed to have been certified since they command such high premiums. Therefore, the population figures should provide a good idea of this coins true scarcity.
Varieties:There are two additional recognized varieties for this date which are much less popular and command much lower prices. One of them is the 1922 Weak D mint mark variety and the second one being the Weak Reverse variety.
Authentication: An authentic 1922 No D Lincoln cent will display very sharp details on the reverse unlike the additional two varieties of this year. A 1922 No D cent should have the second 2 stronger than the first 2. Also the word TRUST is sharply struck. There are additional diagnostics which differentiate the more expensive and popular 1922 No D Lincoln cents. Therefore, authentication is highly recommended for this variety.
Just learned about this copper coin tonight.
Can others add to the below CoinFacts statements?
Jaime Hernandez: The 1922 No D Lincoln cent is the only circulation strike coin, in the entire Lincoln cent series which lacks its intended mint mark.
History: In 1922, the Denver Mint was the only Mint which produced cents for that year. Consequently, all 1922 cents should bare the D mint mark. However, since the Denver Mint was under extreme pressure to produce cents for that year, there was a lot of sloppiness in the production process.
The 1922 No D is believed to exist due to a pair of dies clashing with one another without a coin being in between the two dies. As a result, it is believed that a mint employee obtained an old obverse die and filed it down in order to improve its appearance. But instead, the mint employee ended up filing the D mint mark too much, and in return, created the 1922 No D Lincoln cents.
The 1922 No D Lincoln cent has always been recognized as a major variety within the Lincoln cent series. Due to its popularity this coin has always commanded a hefty premium.
Scarcity: The 1922 No D Strong Reverse Lincoln cent is very challenging to aquire due to its high value in any grade. Most examples are believed to have been certified since they command such high premiums. Therefore, the population figures should provide a good idea of this coins true scarcity.
Varieties:There are two additional recognized varieties for this date which are much less popular and command much lower prices. One of them is the 1922 Weak D mint mark variety and the second one being the Weak Reverse variety.
Authentication: An authentic 1922 No D Lincoln cent will display very sharp details on the reverse unlike the additional two varieties of this year. A 1922 No D cent should have the second 2 stronger than the first 2. Also the word TRUST is sharply struck. There are additional diagnostics which differentiate the more expensive and popular 1922 No D Lincoln cents. Therefore, authentication is highly recommended for this variety.
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Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
What about the 1989 no "P" quarter; anyone chasing that filled die?
It is accepted by many and equally scorned by many. Everyone has their own opinion. I like them, though I've always been hesitant to lay down big money for one.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
<< <i>It is not a grease filled die error like the 89 no p. >>
Wrong
"1922 Die Pairs #1, #3 and #4 were the result of “mint grease”which is a combination of dirt, metal, and oil, filling the
area of the mintmark. Mint grease would fill the mintmark gradually, resulting in different levels of “weakness”. It
is believed that the mint grease would fall out, then refill creating a cycle of normal D’s, broken D’s, weak D’s, and
no D’s. When looking at circulated examples of 1922 D’s, keep in mind that the mintmark could have simply be
worn from use. Die Pairs #1, #3 and #4 have “weak reverses” because they were struck with worn reverse dies."
The only reason this is of any interest is because there were no Lincoln cents produced in Philadelphia that year. If there were, there'd be no way to tell the difference in a "P" or "No D"
Steve
<< <i>This coin has always enjoyed a love/hate relationship with Lincoln cent collectors. It is not a grease filled die error like the 89 no p. The d was completely removed on the die in by a mint worker, a la 3 legged buffalo nickel. It is accepted by many and equally scorned by many. Everyone has their own opinion. >>
I like them, though I like the 55DDO (and 43 bronze cents) just a little bit more
Part of the issue is that the coin folder makers added a hole for the "22 Plain" early on, so it became a de facto coin needed to complete the set. The 3-legged Buff never enjoyed such treatment.
In my view, it is a legitimate major mint error, certainly more significant than many of the other die varieties often discussed here and elsewhere (wide AMs, anyone)
60 years into this hobby and I'm still working on my Lincoln set!
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Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Also, sometimes it results in this coin not photographing well for a dealer to display on their website. You guys did a great job with your photos on this thread; but a dealer whose name I won't mention has what I consider to be an awful photo of a high-grade PCGS 1922 on his website. I refused to even consider getting the coin, and couldn't understand how PCGS could grade the coin that high. Then by coincidence, I was recently at a coin show where the same dealer had the same coin in his display case, and it was a stunner in person. So I learned a bit of a lesson.
The Penny Lady®
<< <i>Papi, I'll say it again. " The mintmarks was polished away." >>
I know the difference, and I'll say it again "Big Deal"!!
It's an over-polished die; it's not an error
<< <i>So why didn't Philly mint any Lincolns that year? >>
"In 1922 only the Denver Mint was responsible for producing Lincoln Cents. Both Mints were busy producing
millions of Silver Dollars. No nickels, dimes, quarters, or half dollars were produced in 1922. The creation of all
four die pairs was the result of the Denver Mint running out of usable dies with thousands of cents needed to be struck to fill their quota."
They ran out of dies, and they over-polished the "No D" cent.
<< <i>
<< <i>Papi, I'll say it again. " The mintmarks was polished away." >>
I know the difference, and I'll say it again "Big Deal"!!
It's an over-polished die; it's not an error >>
For you to "say it again" it would be necessary to say it once first. Then another.
Anyhow, as these are not 2009 extra fingers, they are probably not your area of interest anyway.
I don't own one, as I've stated. But I can appreciate the history brought on by a fellow forum member without acting childlike.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
<< <i>I can appreciate the history brought on by a fellow forum member without acting childlike. >>
The info I posted was historically accurate.
So, if you like it collect it. I happen to think it's a big deal over nothing.
Now, back to my coloring book.
i think the only reason people don't like them is because they're expensive
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
This has always been an interesting coin to me. One part wants a great example and the other is adamant because of the worm look. Does anyone know how much of a demand there are for these? Or price fluctuations in the least few years? The date, especially the uniqueness of the second 2, burned into my subconscious
I remember posting this thread.....very interesting coin and controversy for sure.
A decade can sure fly by!!!
Time flies... and I know I have some '22 cents put away some place.... Now, if I can find them.... Likely weak D's or fakes if I have any at all.... I do remember putting one away a year or two ago... found in change, but no time to check it then. Oh well... maybe a Eureka moment in the future
Cheers, RickO
"Jaime Hernandez: The 1922 No D Lincoln cent is the only circulation strike coin, in the entire Lincoln cent series which lacks its intended mint mark."
How could anyone know this? For all we know, it was common for the Denver mint to file/polish away mint marks. However, we only know of it happening in 1922 as Philadelphia didn't strike Lincolns that year. I wonder how many cents from 1919,1920,1921,1923-1925 were struck in the Denver mint but bear no mint mark? We would never know the difference.
As a Lincoln collector, I refuse to pay any premium for the 1922 no d.
10 years later, they still don't.
Pete
Regarding price fluctuations, I haven't watched the auctions close enough to judge. But if I were to rely on the PCGS price guide, my XF-45 1922 no D Strong Reverse was hovering around the $2,500 mark in the middle part of the last decade. It started declining around 2017 and bottomed out at around $1,850 last year. It has rebounded this year to $2,250. Greysheet lists it at $2,190 in XF-45.
Test
Guess I messed up my previous reply.
I am wrapping up a small book on the cents of 1922 that will be out next year. It will dispel some of the many myths about this coinage, improve the terminology used to describe them, offer some new theories about how and why they were made and add some new varieties.
TD
I can hardly wait, Tom. The coin itself has a great story behind it.
Pete