Whats up with new pennies?

I'm sitting here checking rolls and have noticed that on every 2011 penny Lincolns beard has NO features at all. You can barely tell he has a beard. Is this a new design or something? (If you are going to post something like "go search the forums for your answer," please just don't ok? I really don't have the time to be searching through 10's of thousands of posts.)

Thanks.

Edit: I'm not trying to sound cocky or anything.....just that I've noticed that there are a few on here who seem to feel that nobody should be allowed to ask questions. lol Now let me just add a few emotes to show that I'm not in a bad mood. :hail::smile:hail:

 

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I never really paid attention to that , I'm looking at one right now and you're right. Even compared to a 2001 one it alot less details.

 

The new engraved models the mint creates for the dies are generated from computer graphic programs. Which make most of the new coins have lower reliefs and loss of detail. Back 20+ years ago the original models were sculpted without the aid of computer generated layouts.

 

Ah. Thank You. I wonder if that affects grading?

 

No.

Edit: If you mean how they are graded, yes. If you mean the "beard" wouldd lower the grade, no.

 

On the new cents 2011, the top of the head, looks like a cow head with horns. So, they made the beard light and the head has more work. :dead-horse:

 

Our goverment has forced even old Abe to go green.
Too many beard hairs would hold heat that may set ones pockets on fire.
Beat the heat go plastic.

 

Haven't found many 2011 cents, but the 2010s I find have very little detail on Lincoln, like the OP has experienced

However, I've noticed a more significant change on the National Parks quarters, with the hair detail becoming less defined, while on the previous state quarters, the detail on the hair is defined like "real" hair. Just what I've seen lately

 

Nah, won't affect grading. But it's a trend to future coinage. The current coins just lack depth and detail.

 

Compared to one from the early '60s, it has no details

 

It's like everything else when cheaper, faster and easier eliminates the need for quality in a product. I venture to say that in ten years we will have coins with lettering but very basic and plain drawings on them. The day of engraving and craftmanship is over. I think the serious collectors will leave modern and mint coins and turn all their attention back to classics. It may also redirect more attention to the older world coin market. IMHO.

 

Makes me not really want newer coins...

To me, this draws a line in the sand to where pre-computer coins are much more desirable to me now.

 

Precisely why I collect the older coinage. Gone are the days where the mint commissioned contracted artists and sculpters to create the models for coins. All the early commemoratives for example...most of those designs were spawned as a result from art competitions, husband and wife artist teams, students, etc. Now that was the "american" way of silver age numismatics.

 

The state quarter design was know for the spaghetti hair. The mint muted down the hair design to the point where its just a cloud atop Washington's noggin due to customer requests. They tried using the pre-1999 design for the ATB's but they left out the detail because of the computer program used to create the image. I know this because I live 35 mins away from the SF mint, the mint tour can be pretty revealing.

 

I have noticed this as well. The quarters just feel funny to me. They feel 'slick' for the lack of better terminology. I miss true workmanship in general. It's hard enough to find something good anymore. I know I'm living in the wrong century. Send me back to the 1920s so I can hoard all of the real coins, lol (I just don't want one of those refrigerators that can kill you if it has a leak).

JP

 

I've noticed that relief has lost a lot during the time. I have a G condition Washington Quarter with higher relief than my 1995-S proof quarter. I'd just guess they're gettin' slightly lazy.

~Cannyn

 

I was in SanFrancisco last year in June, and the mint did not accept visitors let alone offer tours. How did you arrange yours? Or was it from years ago? I will be there again this year and would like to attend, if they are now offered.

 

It was fairly recent, actually it was only 2009 for the last tour. And I take the fam there about 3 times a year just to visit and go to the mint's gift shop.

 

Is it me or is the VDB on the 2011 cent raised? So much for the theory of the
world not being flat. This coin is definitely flat and featureless.---John

 

the cent tends to have low detailing common in a few area ins both years.. it would seem that on the obverse the lower neck and mid- chin are the weak points on the die where in the mid years and even 1909 they where more pronouced. i think the laser etching used to create the die/ carving is weak and thus your not going to get the pronouced cutting on obverse ,, that you would normally see in lets say 1995