My newly updated Colorfully-Toned Proof Lincoln Collection (74 Years of Proofs!)
WingedLiberty1957
Posts: 2,992 ✭✭✭✭✭
I have been working on a colorfully-toned PCGS-graded Proof Lincoln Cent collection since July of 2011 and I am getting close to being "somewhat finished" with only a few holes left, which is kind of a remarkable feat.
New coins recently added were the 1912 Matte Proof, 1936 Satin Proof (upgrade), the ultra rare (in the toned coin realm) 1959, the 3 SMS coins (not technically proofs, but PCGS includes SMS's in their Proof Registry), a monster PR68 upgrade to my 1969-S, and nice placeholders for 1972-S, 1973-S, 1977-S, 1981-S Filled S and Clear S. Finally, the brand new PR67RB 1978-S might also be considered a monster as I bet it will be the latest-date Proof Lincoln I will ever find with a lot of deep color that PCGS will grade.
Once you get into the mid 1970's, finding PCGS-gradeable colorfully-toned Lincoln Proofs gets really difficult. I guess the 1980s and 1990s are just too recent to have any colorfully toned examples -- so I might cut this off at 1982, which is a good stopping point since that marks the end of the 95% copper 5% zinc alloy run. (Starting in 1983, the composition of Lincolns was changed to copper plated zinc).
I also tweaked my coin boards to add the PCGS grade underneath each coin and I designed a new "cover" to my digital set making the set look more like a coin album. All photos are by Phil Arnold.
I think my favorite single coin on each board is: 1914, 1937, 1955, 1961, 1966, 1971-S, 1978-S -- but you might have your own favorites.
Some of the eye-appealing runners-up are: 1909, 1913, 1915, 1936 Satin, 1940, 1941, 1951, 1957, 1959, 1964, 1968-S, 1969-S, 1975-S.
Degree of difficulty in putting a set like this together: "Extreme to nearly impossible". I doubt I will ever complete it due to the expense and rarity of the 1909 vdb and the 1916. However if any novice collectors want to try their hands at it, try selecting just one "board" to complete. I recommend the P-Mint Memorial era as those years will give you the highest population of toned proofs in the marketplace.
Some of these coins are extreme rarities even though the PCGS Price Guide doesn't reflect it. For example my 1975-S is the only PCGS-graded BN Proof Lincoln Cent known that year. Many years have slabbed Proof BN counts in the single digits (most are 1 or 2 total). RB's are more plentiful, but it's not so easy finding some as visually appealing as the 1955 or 1957 for example. Some RD's show stunning color, like my 1951 which I bought last year on the BST board from the toned coin collector Ibndalight. Some of the color classifications as subject to question as I think that my 1960 Small Date should have been classified a RB not a RD. And some of the RB's should have been classified BN's, like the 1959 and 1978-S.
New coins recently added were the 1912 Matte Proof, 1936 Satin Proof (upgrade), the ultra rare (in the toned coin realm) 1959, the 3 SMS coins (not technically proofs, but PCGS includes SMS's in their Proof Registry), a monster PR68 upgrade to my 1969-S, and nice placeholders for 1972-S, 1973-S, 1977-S, 1981-S Filled S and Clear S. Finally, the brand new PR67RB 1978-S might also be considered a monster as I bet it will be the latest-date Proof Lincoln I will ever find with a lot of deep color that PCGS will grade.
Once you get into the mid 1970's, finding PCGS-gradeable colorfully-toned Lincoln Proofs gets really difficult. I guess the 1980s and 1990s are just too recent to have any colorfully toned examples -- so I might cut this off at 1982, which is a good stopping point since that marks the end of the 95% copper 5% zinc alloy run. (Starting in 1983, the composition of Lincolns was changed to copper plated zinc).
I also tweaked my coin boards to add the PCGS grade underneath each coin and I designed a new "cover" to my digital set making the set look more like a coin album. All photos are by Phil Arnold.
I think my favorite single coin on each board is: 1914, 1937, 1955, 1961, 1966, 1971-S, 1978-S -- but you might have your own favorites.
Some of the eye-appealing runners-up are: 1909, 1913, 1915, 1936 Satin, 1940, 1941, 1951, 1957, 1959, 1964, 1968-S, 1969-S, 1975-S.
Degree of difficulty in putting a set like this together: "Extreme to nearly impossible". I doubt I will ever complete it due to the expense and rarity of the 1909 vdb and the 1916. However if any novice collectors want to try their hands at it, try selecting just one "board" to complete. I recommend the P-Mint Memorial era as those years will give you the highest population of toned proofs in the marketplace.
Some of these coins are extreme rarities even though the PCGS Price Guide doesn't reflect it. For example my 1975-S is the only PCGS-graded BN Proof Lincoln Cent known that year. Many years have slabbed Proof BN counts in the single digits (most are 1 or 2 total). RB's are more plentiful, but it's not so easy finding some as visually appealing as the 1955 or 1957 for example. Some RD's show stunning color, like my 1951 which I bought last year on the BST board from the toned coin collector Ibndalight. Some of the color classifications as subject to question as I think that my 1960 Small Date should have been classified a RB not a RD. And some of the RB's should have been classified BN's, like the 1959 and 1978-S.
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Comments
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
Chris' Complete Lincoln Variety Set 1909-date
WS
Copperhunter, which coin was yours? I know the 1964 was owned by a number of people on this board -- it's one of the most recognizable toning patterns (very unique).
Lincolnfan, that 1937 I bought from Lehigh ... I think he called it "Fire and Ice", best nickname ever.
My Coin Blog
My Toned Lincoln Registry Set
<< <i>I know the 1964 was owned by a number of people on this board -- it's one of the most recognizable toning patterns (very unique). >>
I know it was mine once
Empty Nest Collection
RED is nice, but WOW to the poor step-children, especially the lowly BN!!
Hasn't the search been a blast??
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
BST Transactions (as the seller): Collectall, GRANDAM, epcjimi1, wondercoin, jmski52, wheathoarder, jay1187, jdsueu, grote15, airplanenut, bigole
<< <i>Incredible group of toned Lincoln proofs. RED is nice, but WOW to the poor step-children, especially the lowly BN!!
I really should dedicate this collection to Robec, as his set of colorfully-toned Pre-WW2 Lincoln Proofs is what inspired me to start this set.
The search has been impossibly HARD at times ... but really fun and entertaining.
My Coin Blog
My Toned Lincoln Registry Set