look at this one they didnt even finish removing the cross bar for the 4 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200197022118&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=010
I don't think that coin is an altered 1941-S, because what looks to you like the remnant of a crossbar from a "4" is too low on the numeral "1" - it would be higher up on the "1" if it were an altered "4". Here is a 1941-S to compare it to and illustrate what I mean: http://cgi.ebay.com/1941-S-PCGS-LINCOLN-WHEAT-MS67-NONE-FINER_W0QQitemZ130194588058QQihZ003QQcategoryZ39457QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
This coin is real, and not cleaned. Some of those early Lincoln's have streaks accross them. I like them like that..It shows that they are real, And not fakes.
What looks like cleaning is actually an imperfection in the alloy known as "wood graining". Some people collect these just for that look. Richard
Looks real to me, and not cleaned... it's just one of the ones (common early on) with a planchet made where the copper isn't properly mixed, giving it the wood-grain look (often callied "woodies.") Actually think it looks kind of nice. Might put a bid in.
Not all Lincolns that appear to have a wood grain effect actually have it. There are those who fake it (it isn't hard) just because there are so many who like the look in today's market. Food for thought.
Man, I was straining my eyes trying to see what you were talking about, lol. Looks fine to me, but I'm no expert. Phoenix
Well no expert, but it would seem odd to fake an aspect that you're not even bothering to advertise on. I can't say for 100% thst this is real on this one, but it could be, and I don't see any obvious sign that it's not.
I wasn't saying it was real or fake either way. But a lot of the posts prior to mine were saying that coin was likely real because of the wood grain effect. So I thought it might be beneficial to point out that this effect is often faked. Not a whole lot of folks know that. As to your first point, one of the best ways to make your auction effective, is to not point out the obvious. It is also one of the best ways to cover your butt when somebody who buys the coin comes back and says to you - Hey, that wood grain effect is fake ! Then all the seller has to do is say - I never said it had a wood grain effect.
