Something a little different, how would these two Lincoln cents likely grade?
MarkW63
Posts: 1,532 ✭✭✭✭
I just got these two Lincoln cents to upgrade the two G4 (there about) cents in my collection
I have a couple of web sites to help with grading them, and of course the US coin guides I have show the different details to look for when grading a coin. I know that this kind of personal grading don't mean a whole lot as compared to that of a grading service, but its for my personal collection and I'm trying to be realistic in whatever grade I put on the coin flip holder.
So, here is my two cents (pun intended)
Where on the grading scale do you folks think they would fall?
1914-P &
1910-S
Thanks for any & all input!
"I Prefer Dangerous Freedom Over Peaceful Slavery"
Thomas Jefferson!
0
Comments
Ok early am people, grade opinions please
Both appear to have been cleaned by burnishing with a cloth. The 1914 is XF45 details. The 1910-S is VF details.
This is my exact opinion also but he beat me to it.
Definitely XF and VF.
Hard to tell from the pictures but I think the 14 would straight grade. The 1910-S is more questionable to me and might detail grade.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
This.
Looks like an XF40 (1914), and a VF25 (1910S). Cheers, RickO
I am harder on Lincolns than most of my peers, I would grade the 14 as VF details, corroded, and the 10-S as F-15.
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
The first one is a bit too grainy to not be corroded. XF details
The second is only VF at best.
Corroded VF followed by cleaned FN
XF details, F details, both look to have been worked over and the 14 has some corrosion issues.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
The jawline isnt clear enough for me to make XF on the 1914 so VF-30. The 1910-s looks to be in Fine condition. Both are NET grade.
Wow! some great input and lots of comments, far more than I expected and for this reason later this evening I'll try and take some close up pictures with my digital camera instead of my $30.00 digital microscope. I know this want change the detail grade but it may give a better view of the likely "Cleaned" & likely "Corroded"
I for sure have some questions, this is very interesting.
Be back later!
Thanks
"I Prefer Dangerous Freedom Over Peaceful Slavery"
Thomas Jefferson!
actually, your pictures are great and close up photos are not necessary
I'm scratching my head wondering how some people are seeing XF in the 1914. It's a weak VF at best and the other piece is a scant Fine. Both look like they've been wiped.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
I'm glad someone mentioned corrosion
I see corrosion on the reverse of the first one.
I'm not sure if either has been wiped to clean them up before sale, but that is a possibility. they both have a mystery shine to them.
I was going with VF35 definite details grade and VF20
the one thing that is not over-used but is under-used on ebay is:
problem coin
ex: cleaned
or corroded
or scratched
or polished
or chemically treated
or etc.
you'll find that low grade common coins on ebay will have undisclosed problems. it is very frustrating to hunt for widgets and have to wade through tons of problems coins. then there are the problem free coins that are BIN 2x what they are worth.
here is PCGS' PhotoGrade to use:
https://www.pcgs.com/photograde#/Lincoln/Grades
Most of that shine you see is the cheap LED direct lighting from the microscope, and there is those small spots of corrosion on the reverse of the 14 for sure.
Until I seen all the responses to my title post I didn't take enough stock in using the cheap microscope and its poor lighting, I knew it would show the details of wear pretty good, I should have considered other aspects of the coin like possible cleaning, or corrosion that was my bad. I'll try to fix that this evening.
I really do appreciate all the responses!
"I Prefer Dangerous Freedom Over Peaceful Slavery"
Thomas Jefferson!
Well, I like to use the scope for certain quick detail, but I can see how the light makes a fake shine to the coin that isn't there.
I am one that's willing to lean from my mistakes LoL!
Again, thanks for your time.
"I Prefer Dangerous Freedom Over Peaceful Slavery"
Thomas Jefferson!
Better to photograph cents on a white background and offset lighting (LED or Fluorescent) than a flash, Easier to judge cleaned or uncleaned surfaces that way.
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
I would estimate the 14 at VF35 details and the 10 S at F15 details. I agree with the coins having been wiped with corrosion evident on the 14.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Okay, here is about the best I can do with my little digital handheld camera. Before I had the little microscope this was all I had.
The microscope is far better for me for looking at details like wear, double die, RPM's and the like but it doesn't do well for judging the actual surface of the coin.
So, here are the same coins but the pictures have been taken with a handheld camera, if you were to just look at the coins in your hand these would be more of what you'd see.
"I Prefer Dangerous Freedom Over Peaceful Slavery"
Thomas Jefferson!
now the 1st is definitely, unmistakenly corroded
the 2nd is polished up a bit and that scratch on the reverse is bad.
details grade on both.
I thought taking pictures with the regular handheld camera would help to put the natural finish of the coins in better perspective.
Okay, now, at $20.00 for the 14 and $22.00 for the 10-S (including shipping) I don't feel I got burnt, the ones in the collection that these will replace would not make a decent G4. At present I'm working towards having nothing below Fine in the collection, doing this will kick out all the really corroded metal detecting finds that were in the collection.
I felt inspired after adding coins like the 09S-VDB, & the 55 DDO and of course all the proofs I've added helps too.
"I Prefer Dangerous Freedom Over Peaceful Slavery"
Thomas Jefferson!
Well those first pictures was taken with the pretty cheap digital microscope and its own builtin LED lights, but even set to dim the images still come out harsh. The second set of pictures were with a flash and off angle to deflect most of the flash away from the camera, that's the reason for the extra shine beneath Lincoln's chin. Maybe someday I'll invest into something better to take photo's of coins!
"I Prefer Dangerous Freedom Over Peaceful Slavery"
Thomas Jefferson!
Corroded XF
VF20/25 maybe too much noise grease?
At least it appears they have a more normal color but I'll stick with my original grade opinion of VF and F respectively, with corrosion on the former and what looks to be a scratch on the latter,
RIP Mom- 1932-2012