It is unlikely that they would have worn down that much during the 25 years or so they actually circulated. (They were effectively gone from circulation by the late 1960's.) Having a steel core they would have resisted rapid wear. Rust, yes, but heavy wear, no. I don't recall ever seeing one that would have graded less than Fine by wear and most were VF or XF by wear.
@291fifth said:
It is unlikely that they would have worn down that much during the 25 years or so they actually circulated. (They were effectively gone from circulation by the late 1960's.) Having a steel core they would have resisted rapid wear. Rust, yes, but heavy wear, no. I don't recall ever seeing one that would have graded less than Fine by wear and most were VF or XF by wear.
I see PCGS has graded one AG3
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AG03, from a PCGS set registry. I wish it were mine
I suspect it may have been a pocket piece. The lack of any rust on a steel cent with that level of wear is the tip off.
I wonder if it had help. I have never seen a bronze Lincoln wear in that pattern.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
I doubt that you will see one with honest wear. The steel was too hard, the coins didn't circulate for long enough and the rust got to them before circulation did.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
I saw a few low end VF's before they quit circulating. Most had some rust, were black, and/or were mid range XF. It wasn't at all unusual to see fairly nice AU's once in a while. Most of the AU's were probably spotty but I didn't notice such things in those days.
@291fifth said:
It is unlikely that they would have worn down that much during the 25 years or so they actually circulated. (They were effectively gone from circulation by the late 1960's.) Having a steel core they would have resisted rapid wear. Rust, yes, but heavy wear, no. I don't recall ever seeing one that would have graded less than Fine by wear and most were VF or XF by wear.
Comments
It is unlikely that they would have worn down that much during the 25 years or so they actually circulated. (They were effectively gone from circulation by the late 1960's.) Having a steel core they would have resisted rapid wear. Rust, yes, but heavy wear, no. I don't recall ever seeing one that would have graded less than Fine by wear and most were VF or XF by wear.
I see PCGS has graded one AG3
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
The AG03, from a PCGS set registry. I wish it were mine
Always buying nice toned coins! Searching for a low grade 1873 Arrows DDO Dime and 1842-O Small Date Quarter.
I suspect it may have been a pocket piece. The lack of any rust on a steel cent with that level of wear is the tip off.
I wonder if it had help. I have never seen a bronze Lincoln wear in that pattern.
A definite possibility.
Great question by the OP and great theories/responses.
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I doubt that you will see one with honest wear. The steel was too hard, the coins didn't circulate for long enough and the rust got to them before circulation did.
I saw a few low end VF's before they quit circulating. Most had some rust, were black, and/or were mid range XF. It wasn't at all unusual to see fairly nice AU's once in a while. Most of the AU's were probably spotty but I didn't notice such things in those days.
Everyone called them "silver" pennies.
I heard "lead" pennies a few times, I think.
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
I have a couple rolls of MS '43's.... but none that are 'worn'....Cheers, RickO