1909 S Lincoln cent - What's the grade?

I would greatly appreciate any opinions on the grade of this Lincoln cent. Do you think it has been cleaned? I welcome all suspicions on this one! Please give your reason if you believe so. Thanks.

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cleaned a while back and a solid solid F15, if your pics would show a little more seperation on the cheek bones, which I think is there, it'll go VF-20 easily.

 

Man, that is a pretty nice 09 S you got there man. I'd say this one is a slider like Jack said, F-15-VF-20, old cleaning. Still a very nice semi-key. :thumb:

Phoenix

 

What is the evidence of old cleaning? I am still trying learn the tell-tale signs (especially on copper/bronze).

Thanks for the help guys.

 

That picture is very hard to decipher. It looks to me like it has been blown up and lost a lot of detail and the color saturation has been turn up. My GUESS is that it has not been cleaned. After some fooling with the picture, I think I am seeing a full ear. My guess it that the coin is XF and maybe even 45.

See if this picture doesn't look a little better. All I have done is cut the saturation and enlarge..

 

VF 35 or XF 40 is my guess.

If that coin comes back graded Fine, I will buy and eat it.

Have fun...Mike

 

p.s. it doesn't appear to me to be cleaned (tough to be sure with the color of the photos being off a bit), and exhibits the woodgrain toning prevalent on these early Lincolns.

 

p.p.s. by way of example, here's my 09-S in NGC VF 25 plastic. I think the OP's coin has more detail:



Also note the similar color and woodgrain toning.

 

Nice coin !

I think it's been cleaned.
There is a lot of dirt left in the wheat.
Also, it appears that there are pick marks or corrosion that has been removed, on the reverse.
The S & A in STATES and the A, E, & R in AMERICA look a little funky, like someone dug dirt from around them.

It's still a nice coin though.

 

F-12

 

Here is what I can see;

The ear lap (the thing over the ear hole whatever it is called) appears to have no wear.
The bow tie is definitely not worn into the jacket.
The eye brow is raised for its entire length.
The wheat lines are 100% full and show no evidence of wear.
The wheat grains all appear to be separated with minimal or no wear.

None of these conditions appear to be true of the VF-25 above. Therefore, this coin must be graded higher than VF25. Just to be sure, I am talking about NGC/PCGS grading, not Doug's standards.

BTW - I see nothing unusual around any of the letters in "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" even blowing the picture up to 12" plus, but my monitor sucks.

All of that being said, that picture is lacking. Would it be possible for the op to post a better picture?

 

i think its F-12 also. nice coin still! :thumb:

 

Here is a 35 I have handy, I have a 25 and a 15 I'll get out in a few, heres the 35

 

Do those who have this coin graded as a Fine have any 09-S VDBs for sale?

 

I agree that the coin is better than a VF-25! I believe that the Obverse has EF-45+ details but the Reverse has VF-40 details and would net grade at a VF-35. There is just a little too much wear on the Wheat Stalks and especially the Tassels to go higher!


Frank

 

The 25

 

ROTFLMAO! Yeah, I will buy some too!:whistle:


Frank

 

I tend to look at the wheat first and I was thinking it was in the F to VF range based on that criteria. I think the obverse is better as has been pointed out above.

 

Jack,

The age hazing on the holder, makes it a little difficult to really make out the fine details on the coin!


Frank

 

WOW, I have to agree, 35 it is. I'm now in panic mode, cannot find my 15