I agree, AU58 and clean. Which makes me wonder about the dealer's knowledge or, more so, his intentions. The coin clearly has rub, which would limit it to AU, but if it didn't, it would grade higher than 60 (despite the hits on Liberty's face and hand and the eagle's breast). The dealer should be aware of both of these conditions.
1941 Lincoln Cent (Proof). I bought this monster off eBay for $62.77 (plus $4.95 shipping) last month. It was already PCGS slabbed as PR64 RB. I am tempted to call this coin the "Missing Coat Variety". Note how Lincoln's coat underneath the date is very weakly stuck (and almost completely invisible), perhaps from a worn or filled die? I don't know very much about how things like this happen, but it's kind of cool. The pink and purple color on the obverse is about as smooth and appealing as you'll ever see on a pre-WW2 proof. Usually Lincoln Proofs from this era show much blotchier color, when you can find them toned that is. My favorite part of this coin might be the sublime blue-indigo-violet coloration (mixed in with a bit of hot pink) on Lincolns head. The exquisite hot pink and purple color extends to the reverse around 8 o'clock, and around the reverse rim. The rest of the reverse is just blindingly nice, with more standard deep sunburst-orange and golden-yellow color, somewhat reminiscent of what you might see gazing into the sun. This is probably about as pretty as you'll ever see a PR64 Lincoln Cent -- and for $68, just a fall-over-in-your-chair amazing bargain.
Paul, that's a very nice new 1941 Proof Cent. Which, by the way, the correct mintage of which is 21,100 pieces. After your previous post (another 1941 proof cent), I double checked PCGS CoinFacts, NGC Coin Explorer, and the Red Book -- all of which agree on the mintage. The source you quoted was wrong.
Yes Robec imaging is with out question some of the best work I've ever seen. He is also a great guy and will give his time to you and help a guy when in need. I am proud to say he is my friend.....Joe
brg, it looks like Wikipedia also got the mintage of the 1941 Lincoln Proof wrong. They also list it at 32,600. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_cent_mintage_figures However since they list the exact same mintage number for the 1942 Lincoln Proof, seems pretty clear it's a mistake. It is interesting though how a number of web references all list the wrong number. I wonder if it started off wrong at one site, then it just kept propagating to other websites as they referred to each other. I do think that 21,100 is the correct number, that's what my RedBook says. In any case, forget the mintage, the thing that is rare about the two 1941 Lincoln Proofs that I posted recently is not the total mintage (which is fairly low in the scheme of things), it's the rare and unusual (and beautiful) coloration. Now that is where the true rarity of these beauties comes from! How in the world did I luck onto not just one, but two stunning 1941 Proof Lincolns, one month apart on eBay. The coin gods must be smiling down on me. I honestly cannot pick a favorite ... top coin graded PR64BN, bottom coin PR64RB. This side by side posting also gives an opportunity to appreciate the "Missing Coat" error (or whatever you want to call it ... error is probably the wrong term) on the hot pink 1941. Just compare Lincolns coat, on the two coins, just below the date.
Thanks Oval_man and Merc Crazy. I appreciate your comments very much. I did ask the grade after I bought it; it was an afterthought on my part. I always learn a lot here... Thanks! -L
I like both of these cents. I also just updated Wikipedia to be the correct value. I trust PCGS CoinFacts, NGC Coin Explorer, and the Redbook over Wikipedia....it seems the mintage error was just copied forward erroneously from another source. Now, Wikipedia agrees with the redbook.
Just got the coin in the mail today, and snapped a few photos: I think it looks just as good, if not better, than the seller's pics, which is always nice.
I Know. Took a chance. Impossible to grade from those pictures, but a great buy, if it is 65 or above.
I know what I've seen doesn't reflect all what is out there, but I certainly haven't seen a whole lot of those toned! Exquisite!
A new addition to my set of this empress I am building. Got this pretty cheap considering all coins of her are scarce. Now I need 4 more to complete it Crispina (178 - 182 .D.) AR Denarius O: CRISPINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right R: CERES, Ceres standing left, holding grain ears and torch. Rome 18mm 2.71g RIC III 276 (Commodus); BMCRE 33 (Commodus); RSC 1