Would PCGS ratify a 1962 Lincoln Cent PR 69 Deep Cameo from a foreign grading service? 🇺🇸🪙
ricarf2386
Posts: 19 ✭
Hello everyone,
I recently acquired this beautiful 1962 Proof Lincoln Cent. It is currently certified here in Ecuador by a local grading service (SRN) with a grade of PR 69RD ULTRA CAMEO (Deep Cameo equivalent).
Physically, the coin is pristine, showing a spectacular golden tone and an intense, highly reflective mirror-like contrast (shining brighter than the sun).
Since PCGS sets the ultimate standard for the international market, my question for the experts on this board is: do you think it is worth cracking it out of this local slab and submitting it to PCGS to see if it ratifies that PR 69 DCAM grade? Or do you consider that PCGS grading standards for 1962 copper are usually too strict and harsh to risk losing the current grade?
I would truly appreciate your technical advice and insights based on your experiences with 1960s proof copper! 🧠💎
Comments
I wouldn't count on it.
They would not be moved, one way or the other, by the existing slab. They would examine the coin, and give it the grade they feel it deserves.
Nothing about your photos tells me that it deserves "ultra cameo."
You are absolutely right about PCGS standards. Regarding the Ultra Cameo designation, my phone camera honestly doesn't capture high-definition macros, and the thick local slab adds a lot of glare that hides the true frosted contrast and deep mirror fields. The coin looks vastly different in hand. Thanks for the technical insight! 📸☀️
that is not cameo at all
the value of that coin on its best day is less than the cost to grade it
I fully respect your skepticism based on the photo! However, as any seasoned collector knows, pictures taken through an old plastic slab under phone glare can be highly deceiving. Since the initial investment was practically zero, I have absolutely nothing to lose. I’m confident in what I see in hand, and I will let the professional grading room at PCGS make the final call on the metal. Cheers! 🪙🍿
Howdy and welcome-
It's worth about a dollar in or out of that slab, but your choice to ship to PCGS and pay for certification to make it likely a $5-$20 coin is up to you. Good luck!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I totally agree with you. You came here to pose a question to large number of very experienced numismatists. Then when the answer is anything but what you wanted to hear, clearly the experts you just asked are wrong! While it would be tragic to lose the ultra high grade bestowed upon the coin by an illustrious company no one here has heard of, the upside having it receive the same grade (or maybe even a 70!) at PCGS is just exceptional. Send it as fast as you can and pay for the highest tier service so the grade comes back as soon as possible. I can’t wait to hear the results!
Thank you for the warm welcome and for taking the time to share your insights, Tom! I deeply respect your opinion, especially coming from an expert in numismatic photography. I completely agree that digital pictures taken through a phone camera and a thick plastic slab distort the true quality of the coin.
Since my initial investment was virtually nothing, I’m actually turning this into a live numismatic experiment for my digital community. I am documenting this whole journey as "Doctor Coin" on TikTok to show my followers the real process behind a cross-border submission. I’ll let the PCGS grading room deliver the final verdict on the metal.
By the way, if you or anyone else catches a glimpse of my profile picture, that shirt features the exact technical specs of a major error coin I currently have at ANACS for certification. We are waiting for the official slab verifications, so you might realize there is a much bigger project in the works that could become a reality very soon. Whether it crashes or clears the hurdle, it will be amazing content for the hobby. Cheers! 🪙📸🎬
Thank you for the advice! I apologize if my previous message sounded defensive—that wasn't my intention at all. I highly respect the years of experience the experts here have. To clarify, SRN is simply the top-tier and most respected grading service in my country, which is why it gave me the confidence to pick up the coin. This is just a fun, low-risk learning experiment for me, and I will gladly share the results with the forum once it goes through the process. Thanks again for your time! 🪙🙏🇪🇨
Photo of the front (obverse) taken from the SRN database.
Photo of the back (reverse) taken from the SRN database.
Still doesn't look cameo. But crack it out and submit. You've got nothing to lose but the $35 or $40 it costs to submit.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Thank you for your appreciation. With your clinical eye and vast experience, could you foresee a more accurate grading and the proper designation for this specimen? It would be highly valuable to have your specific forecast on record so we can compare it once the final PCGS results are delivered and see how sharp your clinical eye truly is, my esteemed friend.
I'm not sure why that would be, but I'll give you a 68.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Thank you for your forecast. To make your prediction complete, would that grade of 68 be with a Cameo designation, a Deep Cameo designation, or no designation at all according to your criteria? It would be highly valuable to have your full technical verdict on record.
No cameo, based on the photos. But it's not impossible. None of the photos are very good which is why "re ording" my best guess is a useless exercise.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Welcome to the forum.
In addition to the coin not looking DCAM, typically, the grade of Proof coins can’t be assessed accurately from images. The primary reason is that in the large majority of cases, the grade of Proof coins is largely dependent upon the degree of hairlines, which can’t be seen in pictures.
That said, there looks to be a flaw above the “6” in the date and a faint, long streak from Lincoln’s forehead, down towards the “2” in the date. If either of those is actually present on the coin, it shouldn’t grade 69.
I believe that your chances of receiving a PR69 DCAM are remote. And regardless of your near-zero cost, with the fees for grading and postage, you do have something to lose by submitting the coin.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I would think possibly a Proof 67 or 68. Not seeing even the least bit of frosting in these photos that would lead to a Cameo designation. This one is for sale on eBay for $45 with free shipping. How does it compare to this?
Thank you for the reference image. If you look closely and compare the official SRN records against the eBay listing, there is an immense similarity in the technical contrast and frost on both devices. However, the key difference lies in the fine details of the fields. The certified PR67 specimen shows visible contact marks and micro-hairlines that naturally limit its grade. In contrast, under close inspection, my coin features pristine, clean fields entirely free of imperfections, which justifies its high-grade assignment. Ultimately, the final grade and designation will be determined strictly by PCGS on the grading table.
Thank you for joining the discussion, Mark! I deeply respect your expert opinion, especially coming from someone with your status at Heritage Auctions. To clarify your observation, the faint line you noticed from Lincoln's forehead to the digit 2, as well as the defect above the 6, are entirely on the outer plastic capsule of the holder, not on the metal itself. In hand, the surface of the coin is pristine and completely free of hairlines or imperfections. We are currently in the process of sending this coin to PCGS for certification. As you correctly stated, proof quality cannot be fully evaluated through images, and we remain in doubt until the final call is delivered on the grading table regarding the numerical grade and the cameo designation. I truly value your precise technical eye!
Thank you for providing the specific certification number. After a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the high-resolution images for certificate 53507240, the technical reasons behind its PR67 grade become very evident. The reverse fields show clear signs of environmental toning and micro-corrosion clusters around the lettering of UNITED STATES. Furthermore, a close inspection of the obverse reveals distinct micro-hairlines and contact scratches directly on Lincoln's cheek and jawline. These surface imperfections are precisely what limited its technical grade under PCGS criteria. My specimen, by contrast, features pristine fields and devices completely free of these defects, which is why comparing a PR67 with visible flaws to a flawless higher-grade candidate is structurally uneven.
Take a look at photographs of PF69DCAM 1962 cents on PCGS Coinfacts.
You can compare your coin with those photos and determine if your coin looks similar to PCGS examples.
If you send this in, my guess is that it will get a PF67RD (no Cameo or UCAM designation)
My prediction:
PR68 CAM
I wouldn't be surprised if it graded PR67 CAM and would be surprised if it graded PR69 CAM.
Thank you for the excellent advice. I truly appreciate you taking the time to guide me toward PCGS Coinfacts. Reviewing those certified examples will be highly valuable for studying and comparing the specific physical traits and visual characteristics of the coin. I will definitely analyze those official records thoroughly before completing the submission process.
Thank you for your forecast and the positive energy. Let us hold onto faith that it might surprise everyone and reach a higher grade on the table. But at the end of the day, whatever happens, happens. It is all part of the fun and learning in this hobby.
@ricarf2386 - I think you may find this useful:
You're welcome.
PF67 RD, would be my guess. If it gets a cam designation I'd be surprised. But copper is not my strong suit.
Good luck and let us know!
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