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1955/55 Lincoln. What would you grade this?

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  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 7,615 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Probably a 64 (head scratches) if there is some luster remaining. Hard to comfortably grade from the pics.

    I don’t know enough to determine if it’s authentic.

    Seated Half Society member #38
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
  • MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,550 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @coinbuf said:
    From these photos I grade this as a fake, with better close-ups of the rev diagnostic I might have a different opinion.

    That was my first thought too.

  • MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,550 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Check for two faint die scratches leading downward from the left bar of the T in CENT on the reverse to establish authenticity. These are two nearly vertical die-polishing lines that form a compressed letter X just left of the T in cent. These lines may be difficult to see on worn or cleaned coins. One die state does not show them at all.

    Some, but not all 1955 doubled die cents show a raised lump beneath the left wheat ear, just below the left side of the letter O in OF.

    The earliest state of this die also revealed several filing lines which appear raised on the coins. These are found just below the left wheat ear, but these lines disappeared from the die with subsequent repolishing.

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Welcome to the forum! :)

    The color of the coin seems a bit off. It may be the color balance in your photos or the background color. You could try some new photos on a white background to see if that helps your camera to pick up the coin colors better. From the color of the coin I would question if it had a mild cleaning or dip quite a while ago and has started to retone. The photos also make it appear flat in color with no mint lustre showing, this could also be a sign of an older cleaning. From the photos I would guess or host would give it a questionable color or cleaned tag. I could easily change my mind with different photos.

    If it did grade I would guess a MS-62 RB. There are a couple of harder hits on both sides.

  • davewesendavewesen Posts: 6,665 ✭✭✭✭✭

    pumpkin orange color gives details cleaned
    I would give AU details

  • ChevyroseChevyrose Posts: 225 ✭✭✭


    I’ve done extensive comparing to a graded example I have. I believe it to be genuine undoubtedly.

  • ChevyroseChevyrose Posts: 225 ✭✭✭



    Here are some pics with a white background. I don’t think it has been cleaned or dipped

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That is a nice MS-64RB you have there! :)

  • ChevyroseChevyrose Posts: 225 ✭✭✭

    @ifthevamzarockin said:
    That is a nice MS-64RB you have there! :)

    The ungraded one! Thanks 😁 lol

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The color balance & lighting in your new photos make the coin appear more natural in color but also make it appear to be maybe closer to the AU range.

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Chevyrose said:
    The ungraded one! Thanks 😁 lol

    Is the 64RB yours too?

  • TomBTomB Posts: 22,080 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I think it's real and that the first set of images have an issue with color balance and overexposure. The second set of images make the color appear much more natural and I could see it as a straight-grade AU.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • ChevyroseChevyrose Posts: 225 ✭✭✭

    @ifthevamzarockin said:

    @Chevyrose said:
    The ungraded one! Thanks 😁 lol

    Is the 64RB yours too?

    Yes

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Chevyrose said:
    Here are some pics with a white background.

    The lighting is still off, your white background looks different in both photos and is kinda pinkish.
    I would guess the background you used was a piece of paper?

  • ChevyroseChevyrose Posts: 225 ✭✭✭

    @ifthevamzarockin said:

    @Chevyrose said:
    Here are some pics with a white background.

    The lighting is still off, your white background looks different in both photos and is kinda pinkish.
    I would guess the background you used was a piece of paper?

    Do you have any recommendations as far as taking pictures of coins is concerned? What to use as a backdrop ? Ect. I’ve honestly never photographed a coin

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,262 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ifthevamzarockin said:

    @Chevyrose said:
    Here are some pics with a white background.

    The lighting is still off, your white background looks different in both photos and is kinda pinkish.
    I would guess the background you used was a piece of paper?

    I made a quick adjustment to make the background white and this is what I got...

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Chevyrose said:
    Do you have any recommendations as far as taking pictures of coins is concerned? What to use as a backdrop ? Ect. I’ve honestly never photographed a coin

    Sorry, I wish I could help you more. There are many folks here that can help much better than I can.
    I can take a decent photo but it has taken years of practice to find what works best for me.

  • TPRCTPRC Posts: 3,814 ✭✭✭✭✭

    58 from this pic.

    Tom

  • ChevyroseChevyrose Posts: 225 ✭✭✭

    If it straight grades AU-55 or better I’d be very happy

  • ChrisH821ChrisH821 Posts: 6,735 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I like it as a 58

    Collector, occasional seller

  • davewesendavewesen Posts: 6,665 ✭✭✭✭✭

    the MasonG corrected color looks more natural -> AU55

  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,624 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'm in the AU55 camp, too. More than just a rub on the high points. But not much more.
    A nice about uncirculated

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 7,615 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Geez I badly misjudged the grade given the AU estimates here! Oh well, live and learn.

    Seated Half Society member #38
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
  • emeraldATVemeraldATV Posts: 4,930 ✭✭✭✭✭

    My thoughts on captureing the correct hue as seen in hand.
    1. convince yourself that they match.
    2. If adjustment's are nessary see #1.
    3. If details are the target all's fare.

  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 7,615 ✭✭✭✭✭

    All's fair! ;)

    Seated Half Society member #38
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The emerald pearl of wisdom. ;)

  • emeraldATVemeraldATV Posts: 4,930 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I can do without the ball and chain.
    Is that a armour bearing ?
    Boo !
    See what experimenting with your camera could produce . Fake Luster.> @ifthevamzarockin said:

    The emerald pearl of wisdom. ;)

  • ChevyroseChevyrose Posts: 225 ✭✭✭

    Here’s what I know

    The coin definitely still has mint luster
    I cannot find absolutely definitive wear on it, when I started collecting I purchased 5000 wheat cents from my local shop, sat down over a month period, and graded every single one with David langes book the complete guide to Lincoln cents on hand
    It is indeed genuine
    Yes he has a scratch on his head, but while viewing many pcgs tru views, I’ve noticed most have marks on Lincoln’s head and still graded
    To be graded RB it needs 5%-95% red color
    It will be sent in for grading in the next month to pcgs
    These are just my opinions
    We will see what pcgs says

    It could take a while for pcgs turnaround time, at which point I’ll revive this thread

    I paid $2800 for the coin
    A bit of a gamble
    But if I could never fail I wouldn’t try

  • ifthevamzarockinifthevamzarockin Posts: 8,908 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Since you have the coin in hand what is your estimation of the grade?

  • RLSnapperRLSnapper Posts: 582 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If I paid $2800 for a raw coin like yours I would use the Express Service...for the extra $27 you will get your answer in 4 weeks instead of 4 months!

  • hummingbird_coinshummingbird_coins Posts: 1,356 ✭✭✭✭✭

    AU55

    Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
    Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled

  • ChevyroseChevyrose Posts: 225 ✭✭✭

    I’d say AU-58
    Ms62 rb on a good day

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That cent looks like an AU58... could be a slider... and pick up a low MS though...Cheers, RickO

  • ChevyroseChevyrose Posts: 225 ✭✭✭


    Came back cleaned AU details unfortunately. I saw no signs of traditional cleaning myself. The truviews look identical to rb truview examples on coin facts. Live and learn

  • OAKSTAROAKSTAR Posts: 8,197 ✭✭✭✭✭

    How many of you only need one of these? I'll start:

    Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )

  • telephoto1telephoto1 Posts: 4,962 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I know I'm late to the party here but my gut said AU cleaned at first glance...the white background pic made it look like XF45.


    RIP Mom- 1932-2012
  • scotty4449scotty4449 Posts: 718 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would have guessed AU55. Too bad on the details grade, it still looks like a great coin to me!

  • LanceNewmanOCCLanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Chevyrose said:
    Came back cleaned AU details unfortunately. I saw no signs of traditional cleaning myself. The truviews look identical to rb truview examples on coin facts. Live and learn

    .
    cleaned on copper coins is a whole different animal than silver and gold usually.

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  • AbehunterAbehunter Posts: 286 ✭✭✭

    Very cool, and that doesn't mean cold for some people

  • ChrisH821ChrisH821 Posts: 6,735 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Interesting, still a nice piece.

    Collector, occasional seller

  • JimnightJimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Chevyrose said:

    I’ve done extensive comparing to a graded example I have. I believe it to be genuine undoubtedly.

    Looking at this photo, to me ... it looks like it was cleaned.

  • bolivarshagnastybolivarshagnasty Posts: 7,352 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Tuition. For 2800, you could have had a nice PCGS graded coin which would be very marketable.

  • DollarAfterDollarDollarAfterDollar Posts: 3,215 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'm inclined to say MS 63 R/B. I think MS 64 is pretty optimistic. Still a great coin to have 2 of.

    If you do what you always did, you get what you always got.
  • ChevyroseChevyrose Posts: 225 ✭✭✭

    @bolivarshagnasty said:
    Tuition. For 2800, you could have had a nice PCGS graded coin which would be very marketable.

    But I’d like to be an able to confidently buy ungraded coins and not have to rely on TPG at least initially. I still have a lot to learn

  • DelawareDoonsDelawareDoons Posts: 3,413 ✭✭✭✭✭

    AU Details, cleaned.

    "It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."

  • DelawareDoonsDelawareDoons Posts: 3,413 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 23, 2022 6:51AM

    @Chevyrose said:

    @bolivarshagnasty said:
    Tuition. For 2800, you could have had a nice PCGS graded coin which would be very marketable.

    But I’d like to be an able to confidently buy ungraded coins and not have to rely on TPG at least initially. I still have a lot to learn

    If you want to confidently buy ungraded coins, that's something you're gonna have to work towards. That's not the first step in the modern era of coin collecting, it's the last.

    "It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."

  • ChevyroseChevyrose Posts: 225 ✭✭✭

    @DelawareDoons said:

    @Chevyrose said:

    @bolivarshagnasty said:
    Tuition. For 2800, you could have had a nice PCGS graded coin which would be very marketable.

    But I’d like to be an able to confidently buy ungraded coins and not have to rely on TPG at least initially. I still have a lot to learn

    If you want to confidently buy ungraded coins, that's something you're gonna have to work towards. That's not the first step in the modern era of coin collecting, it's the last.

    The last step is learning how to grade ungraded coins?

    Collectors should know how to grade and something I’m constantly working towards, probably forever

    Experience is a fancy word for mistakes I’ve made

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